Franciscan Visitor Centre in Alsóváros
Situated in Alsóváros (lower city), Szeged, the monastery and the church together form Hungary's second largest church complex, keeping its original function. The observant branch of the Franciscans settled down in the city in 1444. To build the present late gothic style church, built between 1480 and 1503, they used the material of the 12th century Saint Peter hospital church. The baroque tower over the chancel was erected in 1730. The construction of the monastery took place in three major stages: the western wing is the oldest, the northern part of the building was completed at the same time as the church, while the eastern wing was built in the 18th century. The Visitor Centre, accommodated in the monastery, was opened in 2012. Taking a walk inside the church visitors can learn about the history of the medieval building complex, while at the exhibition displaying the centuries-old masterpieces of religious art they can admire such unique pieces as the 15th century gothic chair, which is the longest preserved chair made in Hungary. In addition, visitors can gain insight into monks' everyday life, which is still based on the regulation of the founder, St. Francis of Assisi. In the garden of the monastery there is an exhibition of the old stones of the church and a herb garden resembling the farming of the Franciscan friars in Alsóváros. This old monastery farm was the starting point of the paprika production in Szeged in the 16th century, so the garden today can't be complete without the bright red colour paprika spice either.
The Franciscan church dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows and the cloister nearby are precious architectural heritages of Szeged. The church was erected in several steps in neo-gothic style, probably using the remains of the first building from the 12th century. It was consecrated in 1503. Its baroque interior dates from the beginning of the 18th century. There are two icons of Blessed Virgin Mary in it, the one carved by a monk called Antal Graff decorating the main altar, the other one named Black Mary having its original in Czestochowa, Poland. The church and the monastery next to it is the second biggest religious complex in Hungary, keeping its original function. The Franciscan visiting centre presenting the monks' life awaits visitors offering multi-lingual guiding and programmes rich in content.