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St. Gisela Chapel
Veszprém and surrounding
Architecture,  Pilgrimage,  Temples, Churches
Architecture, 
Pilgrimage, 
Temples, Churches
...

Gisella Chapel is the oldest building in Veszprem. The two-story building is located in the castle quarter. Its initial patron saint is unknown, and the inscription above the gate says: “Memoriae Beatae Giselae Sacrum” - “In Memory of Blessed Giselle.”

Although according to the traditional narratives of Veszprem, the chapel was founded in the 10th century by Queen Gisela, the wife of St. Stephen. But construction was only completed in the 13th century.

The chapel was built on the site of another tall building, the walls of which were partially used during construction. In subsequent centuries, it was a two-story building - part of a non-existent palace.

Unfortunately, no written sources telling about the palace have been preserved. Therefore, we can name its owner. There are two concepts of the original function of the chapel: it was used as a building for the bishop or as a private royal territory.

The building has the early Gothic features. The frescoes depicting the apostles on the northern wall of the lower chapel are of the same age as the entire building and have an impressive Byzantine influence. The northern wall of the upper chapel with arches has been preserved. Also, there are 11 small figures of dragons, considered as a legacy of the Middle Ages. The frescoes of the 13th century, kept there, are one of the oldest in Hungary!

After the Turkish Wars, the chapel was the possession of the Bishop of Padanya. Probably, he was one of the builders of the palace, adjoining the construction. The bishop ordered to dig up the soil to a depth of almost 2 meters to connect the basements of the buildings. That is why in the lower hall of the chapel, for a long time, was keeping the church wine. Between the two buildings, there also was a door. Once, when the palace was under attack, the army tried to occupy the residence from the side of the Gisela Chapel. This attempt was unsuccessful. The conqueror destroyed the gates and entered the chapel, but inside, there were the bishop’s people. The attacker was stopped. 

Long disputes about the possession of the building were finished by Bishop Ignaz Koller (1762-1773) when he declared Gisella Chapel the part of his property.

Address: Vár u. 16

Published by

Uliana Vedenina

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