Page 15 - SZABOLCS-SZATMÁR-BEREG MEGYE 2022

We continue to roam in the eastern third of the county,
which is a place between the lowlands (Great Plain) and
the mountains (Transylvania and the foothills of the Car-
pathians). Numerous medieval churches, natural rarities,
or industrial monuments wait to be explored across the
regions of Szatmár-Tiszahát, Rétoldal, the Szatmári plain,
and Szamoshát.

One of the greatest treasures and attractions of the region is
the large number of medieval churches of various sizes and

with differing decorations. Tiny jewels are hidden here, as
the constant internal waters and floods created a swamp

in the embrace of the rivers that provided refuge for the
locals from the invading armies for centuries. Th is made
the built heritage of the area unique because the buildings
managed to survive the bloodthirsty times in isolation.
One of such rarely mentioned buildings is the Reformed
church of Gacsály, which has recently been restored. Curi-
ous and competent visitors may notice that the church’s
construction can be divided into several distinct periods.

The beauty of its former painted coffered ceiling surpassed
those in the churches in Csenger, Csengersima, or Gyügye,
and yet, paradoxically, only 46 of the original 172 painted

coffers can be seen here today.

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