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On the palm of God

Places of pilgrimage, shrines, churches

When God created the Nógrád landscape, he must have today it welcomes domestic and foreign pilgrims with a
been in good spirits, so we may feel to be on God’s palm modernized outdoor place for holding masses, the reno-
while staying here. vated Basilica Minor, and with comfortable new hotels and
Here is the Open-Palm Lookout Tower of Alsótold (part conference venues. It can be visited at any time of the year
of the national blue-tour line). Seated on its palm, the sight and is really suitable for meditation, for a stay of several
is unparalleled. days, and to hold spiritual exercises.
The village of Herencsény is not far away, where the mod- In Szécsény, this small town of Nógrád with its jewellery

ern people erected a sacral sign, the Great Guarding Cross box beauty, there is also a Franciscan Church and Monas-

of the Palóc. It was not intended primarily as a tourist at- tery in addition to the castle and the fortress. The novice
traction, but as a symbol of the unity with a truly liveable house of the Franciscan Order of Our Lady of Hungary
depth. And that’s what it became. Come and take a look! operates here, and two Franciscan sisters’ communities
The National Shrine in Mátraverebély-Szentkút is an have also found their homes here. Namely, the Order of

800-year-old sacred place full of miracles and legends, a Saint Clare and the Franciscan Sisters for the Care of the
famous pilgrimage site. It is one of the most important Poor. You can also visit the church and the monastery here.

centres of Christianity in Hungary. This Franciscan shrine In Nógrád, we can see the manifestations of the Palóc

can be traced back to our King Saint Ladislaus. The place folk religiosity (Hollókő, Maconka, Mohora, Kalonda,
of pilgrimage was built around the miraculous spring; Szurdokpüspöki).

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