Lost Church of Franciscan Monastery Discovered in Hungary; Archaeological Remains Suggest It May Have Been Used for Defensive Purposes

A team of archaeologists has discovered the remains of a lost 600-year-old church near a medieval royal palace. The remains were uncovered below a tennis court while excavating the site of Visegrád, a small castle town in the Danube Bend region in Hungary.

Forgotten Shrine

The settlement is located on the right side of the Danube River, north of Budapest, Hungary. It is known for its royal palace ruins and medieval citadel.

The Danube Bend is surrounded by historical cities such as Szentendre, Esztergom, and Visegrád. The most emblematic structure of Visegrád is the castle of Visegrád, which highlights the cultural value of the complex. Aside from this, thousands of visitors also visit the Citadel, the highest sight of the city, which offers an extraordinary view of the Danube Bend.

The lost church was once part of an old Franciscan monastery, and its remains lie next to the palace's ruins. The monastery was built in A.D. 1425 by King Sigismund, who served as king of Hungary in 1387 and became the leader of several other European monarchies.

King Sigismund's throne was challenged for several years by the rulers of Naples. He was known for working to settle the Western Schism and the Hussite wars in Bohemia. Finally, he was crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1433.

The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity that spanned the central, western, and southern parts of Europe. It lasted for around a millennium, from the tail end of A.D. 1000 until its dissolution in 1806. After Sigismund constructed the Franciscan monastery at Visegrád, the Church of the Virgin Mary was erected at the site.

In the first couple of days of the archaeological excavations, the remains of the shrine's sanctuary and high altar were later discovered, according to the Visegrád Renaissance development program. The experts found a large crypt in front of the main altar, which seemed to have been looted after the monastery had been depopulated.

Religious Structure Dedicated as Fortress

In a report released by Hungary's National Archaeological Institute, the skeletal remains of three individuals were also found among the debris of the collapsed crypt. Several lead rifle bullets and other items were discovered next to the skeletal remains.

The excavating team also found a copper bowl that bears indentations that were likely made with weapons. This indicates that the church may have been used for defensive purposes. The evidence also suggests that the religious shrine may not only have suffered from looting but also was the scene of a bloody conflict.

It is believed that the church was destroyed when Visegrád came under the control of the Ottoman Empire. The historical empire became one of the most powerful states in the world during the 15th and 16th centuries. At its greatest extent, the Ottoman Empire covered most of southeastern Europe, some parts of North Africa, and the Middle East, including the region where Israel is currently located.