Protestant religious heritage sites highlighted in Bese and Késmárk

Religious heritage sites in Transylvania and Upper Hungary are being highlighted through recent restoration and historical documentation. In Bese, the Reformed Church congregation celebrated the completion of a renovated building that previously served as a meeting house and school. The project followed a period of legal disputes to reclaim the property. During the celebratory service, Bishop Vilmos József Kolumbán emphasized the importance of the community having a dedicated space for worship and gathering.

In Késmárk, the historic Lutheran old church remains a significant national cultural monument. Built starting in 1687 under strict legal restrictions that mandated wooden construction without towers or bells, the church features a unique interior. The ceiling, designed to resemble inverted ship planks, and circular windows reminiscent of ship cabins reflect the historical assistance provided by the Swedish king during its construction. The structure, consecrated in 1717, showcases folk baroque elements and biblical paintings.