The Benedictine monastery of Pannonhalma is a special place not only for its architectural and natural heritage, but also for its musical instruments. It is a real curiosity that three Baroque organs from the 18th century can be found in one place. And the fact that the three instruments – the organ built by Martin Podkonický (1709–1771) in Banská Bystrica around 1740 and 1760, the organ built by Martin Zorkovsky (c. 1659–1746) in Korměcánya, probably from 1690-1710, and the organ made by Joseph Corte in 1778 – can be played and performed in a very similar condition to the original is also unique. The valuable organ collection also includes the organ built in the 1820s by the organ builder Ferenc Elgasz of Győr in Our Lady Chapel.

 

The Benedictine monk Konrád Dejcsics will give an illustrative introduction to these special instruments, which will be played by organist Zsolt Kiss, accompanied by the musician friends of the Archabbey. The music and art history tour will end with a light rosé toast.

 

Route: Our Lady Chapel – Basilica – Library

In 2024, the Benedictine community will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the medieval restoration and consecration of the monastery church of St. Martin in Pannonhalma. The host of the special guided tour is Archabbot Cyril T. Hortobágyi, who has been associated with St. Martin’s Hill since 1973, first as a Benedictine student, then as a Benedictine monk, religious teacher and teacher of geography and biology. Since 2018, he has been Archabbot of Pannonhalma, the 86th successor of Abbot St. Astric.

 

Robert Gutowski, Ybl Prize winner, internationally renowned architect and former Benedictine student of Pannonhalma, is the guide of the Basilica walk. His attachment is not only to the years he spent here as a student, but also to the enduring and magnificent contemporary architectural works, such as the Banqueting Hall of the Benedictine High School or the modern gymnasium nestling into the hillside.

 

The walk is accompanied by the music of accordionist David Yengibarian.

What is the message and how does the silence of the Basilica of Pannonhalma affect us? At different points in the monastic church, silence has different meanings and expressions, and without any special instructions it begins to lead us towards ourselves, where we can meet our inner questions and our current experiences. It is a moving experience to experience all this within the centuries-old walls. Drawing on personal experiences from the Silence Courses held in Pannonhalma, we will allow ourselves to be touched even more intensely by the silence of the Basilica through a short exercise.

 

The Basilica walk is led by Dr. Gabriella Palotai, psychiatrist. She has been in private practice since 1991, working mainly with psychotherapeutic, cognitive, behavioural and trauma methods in Győr. Since 1994 she has also been involved in HR counselling. Since 1992, he has been working for the Pannonhalma Abbey, where he is relied on as a psychiatrist and coach by the monks. For 12 years he has been running the Silent Retreat, which offers spiritual contemplation and retreat in the monastery.

 

The walk is hosted by Benedictine monk Mark Bokros. He is an economist, pastoral counselor and coach, a teacher of mathematics and religious education at the high school and in charge of the Catching-up Settlements programme. He joined the Benedictine community in 2007 and has been accompanying the participants of the Silence Courses since 2013.