The sub-church of the Cathedral of St. Michael in Veszprém, as well as the 18th-century baroque tomb of Bishop Márton Padányi Biró, can be seen by those who take part in the helmet tour organized on the occasion of Guides' Day on Saturday or Sunday.

The Veszprém Archdiocese's Work in Progress program series provides an insight into the renovation works of the castle quarter, in which the late bishop's resting place is revealed to visitors. The restoration of the tomb began this year.

Symbols of passing, an owl, an hourglass, a skull, an upside-down torch and a padlock are held in the hands of the statues that decorate the tomb of Márton Biró Padányi.

The more than 260-year-old work of art is also enriched by the life-size statue of the bishop, who was depicted at the funeral in the regalia of the high priest, with a bishop's glass on his head, reads the announcement issued by the organizers.

Museum director Veronika Nagy, curator of the Work in Progress program series, highlighted in the announcement: Márton Biró Padányi became the county bishop of Veszprém in March 1745, he had more than two hundred churches and chapels built or renovated in Hungary after the Turkish occupation. "The buildings completed during his episcopate define the cityscape of Veszprém to this day. He built, among other things, the Baroque-style Grand Prefect's House, and a few years later he erected the Holy Trinity statue in the heart of the castle quarter.

"The restoration of the tomb became essential, the walls and floor of the chapel were heavily waterlogged, and the humidity in the building was high. Due to the continuous water load, the limestone began to deteriorate, as a result of which the artificial marble surfaces were destroyed, detached in many places, and the limestone carvings began to decay, the announcement quotes the monument project manager Áron Vavra.

In the 1960s, a gas oil extraction tank was placed in the section of wall under the window of the chapel in the lower church, so water and gas oil could seep into the wall.

"The biggest task of the restoration is to find a technical solution for the insulation that does not involve the demolition of the tomb," the specialist emphasized.

According to the plans, starting in March, the archdiocese will welcome visitors not only on weekends, but also from Tuesday to Friday between 5 and 7 p.m. in the castle district of Veszprém, the renovation of which will continue in 2024. Among other things, the sub-church of St. Michael's Cathedral will be renewed, restoration work will continue in the archbishop's or Koller library in the Archbishop's Palace, stone and painting restoration works are expected in the Gizella Chapel, in the Church of St. István and St. Imre, and in the St. József House, painter-restorers will also work in Kanonoki Ház and Körmendy Ház.

MTI

Cover image: Weekend visitors to Veszprém can take part in an unusual tour
Source: szentmihalyplebania.hu