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Sacral

memories

Just as in the name of Nyíregyháza, the churches played a
very prominent role in the life of the town; in the second half
of the 13th century, the town already had its own church. In

the city centre, we can find churches of 5 religions within
walking distance of each other, which are also venues for
concerts and events.

The Great Lutheran Church was built at the end of the 18th
century by the city-founding Tirpak ancestors, who sett led
in Nyíregyháza at the urging of Count Ferenc Károlyi. Th e
church owes its existence to the Lutheran, Slovak-speaking
settlers and the Edict of Tolerance of King Joseph II; it is the

second largest Lutheran church in the country and also the
oldest monument building in Nyíregyháza on the Luther
Square.
The iconic building of Nyíregyháza is located on the main

square of the town; the Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of the
Hungarians. With its double tower and structural perfection,
it is an outstanding work of art of domestic ecclesiastical ar-
chitecture, and its wonderful stained glass windows att ract
the eye. One of the towers of the Roman Catholic church can

be visited; after climbing 94 steps, the sight of the city centre
is truly magnifi cent.

The Calvinist church stands on Kálvin Square, on the site of
the city’s ancient church, a building charming even in its sim-
plicity, with features of the romantic style.
Nyíregyháza is an episcopal seat, which welcomes its visitors
with the Saint Nicholas Greek Catholic Cathedral and its
wonderful iconostasis.
Of the town’s two former synagogues, only the synagogue
built by the Orthodox community survived, which is the
largest and only functioning Jewish house of worship in
the county today.

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