Szombathelyi Egyházmegye

Szécshenyi 2020 - Európai Szociális Alap

St. Martin's Foothpath in Szombathely with video


St. Martins Foothpath in Szombathely

 


The Pedestrian path is enriched with seven significant stations from the Calvary church to the church of St. Martin. It shows the locations, which are closely related to the early christian traditions of the town. Episodes from the life of St. Martin and St. Quirinus are presented by informational objects in various stations.

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route starts from the local Calvary Church and leads to St Martin Church. It has been designed to revisit the venues related to Szombathely’s Early Christian traditions. The works of art presented at each of the stations along the route help us remember particular episodes from St Martin’s or St Quirinus’ life.
Stops along the route:

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route1. Calvary Church, Martineum. Tamás Somogyi’s work: “Martin, the catechumen dressing me”. Bronze reliefs on the wall of the former Carmelite chapel depict when Martin shares his cloak and a dream had by St Martin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route2. On the site of the ancient theatre. “He was flogged in public and driven from the town”. László Koller’s work depicts the death sentence of St Quirinus and St Martin’s flogging.

 

 

 

 

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route3. Bridge over the Perint Brook - St Quirinus memorial. “He was thrown into the fast flowing River Sibaris ...” The memorial plaque was made by sculptor Endre András Tornay, while the work on the rail of the bridge (Bronze Episcopal belt) was made by Gábor Veres to commemorate the martyrdom of St Quirinus. The bishop was thrown into the river on this spot with a millstone at his neck.

 

 

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route4. Cathedral, Seminary and Bishop’s palace. The first Bishop of the Szombathely Episcopacy, János Szily, chooses St Martin and St Quirinus to be the town’s patron saints. The depictions of both saints are on display in the chapels of the Seminary, in the Cathedral and also in the rooms of the Bishop’s Palace. The Cathedral also boasts St Martin’s relic given to Szombathely by the Archbishop of Tours in 1913.

 

 

 

 

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route5. Savaria Square. “Bishop Martin handed his clothes to a begger” László Koller’s work. The former town gate was in the vicinity. Locals walked through this gate on their way to St Martin’s Church and to the adjacent cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route6. Savaria Museum. Legend has it that Martin hid himself amidst a gaggle of geese in fear of being elected bishop. He was given away by the cackling and he had no other choice but accept the nomination. Tamás Somogyi’s work. The most precious relics found in ancient Savaria are on display at the lapidary of Savaria Museum. Several exhibits prove the presence of an Early Christian population in the 4th and 5th century AD.

 

 

 

 

The Saint Martin Historical Walking Route7. St Martin Church, St Martin Visitor Centre, St Martin Cemetery, St Martin Well. “HIC NATUS EST S. MARTINUS – here was born St Martin”. Beneath the church, there is thought to have been a Roman cultic construction, while the church chapel may have been erected above St Martin’s birthplace. The St Martin Visitors’ Centre is open to the public in the Presbytery next to the church. The well standing in front of Szombathely’s present-day St Martin’s Church depicts when Martin, on his return to Savaria, baptised his mother. St Martin Cemetery is one of Hungary’s oldest cemeteries, which was used as a burial ground for over 2000 years without interruption. During Roman times it was the graveyard used by the local early Christian community.

 

 

 

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