Calvary Honti in Ipolyság is gradually being renewed in cooperation with the local national volunteers who maintain the values. Thanks to the beauty activities, the sacred place celebrating its jubilee this year has become the most impressive resting place in the city.
At the initiative of the parish priest Aladár Schreiber, Calvary erected in 1907 on the hill above Ipoly has already been reconstructed in recent decades. However, a comprehensive renovation has only taken place in the recent period.
In the first round, the chapels are decorated for the fourteen stations of the cross. The facades of the buildings were repainted, the small side decorations were reconstructed, and the rock-cut roof was modified. At the same time, artwork depicting station scenes was also replaced. The new creations are made of materials that are more resistant to the vicissitudes of time. The station chapels were built in the Art Nouveau style.
The renovation continued this year as well. This year they focused on arranging the circumference of Calvary.
At the bottom of Calvary Hill, the gate and the fence were renovated. An insulating layer of gravel was created around the individual chapels, thus protecting the structure of the small sacred buildings.
In addition, the steps leading to the crosses on the top of the hill were strengthened and modified. The central crosses have also been restored.
The sacred place with a great view has been missing seats for many years. This has also been replaced. In the grassy green area between the stations, more seating is placed along the small streets. The path of the cross and the organ bushes adjacent to the path were arranged. Vegetation has also been removed below Calvary Hill.
Calvary of Honti is located in the open field. Although located at the bottom of the hill, the sacred place is protected by a fence and gate. An open space on top of the hill closes Calvary, with a dirt road leading to the small gardens. Thus, the place was not only visited by people of good will who had deepened their faith. The installed and operational CCTV system prevents vandalism.
Most of the mentioned work was carried out by volunteers. Parish members and local patriots jointly organized the weekend work.
“We honor our ancestors with a Hont Calvary restoration. Our goal is to save our ancestral legacy for future generations”
– Tell Ilona Crossthe driving force behind the renewal.
Of course, it was necessary to provide a financial background for the joint work. The city of Ipolyság contributed to the restoration of Calvary owned by the church with a grant of €10,000. In addition, the religious community began collecting donations.
Many people sacrificed their free time for the noble cause, and others helped renovate with tools and building materials. The city’s educational institutions along the Eboli River also joined in volunteerism. Several classrooms were occupied on the hill.
The Calvary of Honte, which is one hundred and fifteen years old this year, was built from donations. The whole of Hont County has become a sacred place, as its name indicates. The individual stations were built with the support of wealthy families, individuals, and religious guardians. In addition to families, county civil servants and the mother of the parish priest who built Calvary also helped build the votive chapels. As a sign of gratitude, a small marble plaque at the base of each chapel preserves the names of the donors.
as such László Hlédik, Priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ipolisag, noted during the field visit that renewal is a long-term and necessary process. He added that Calvary of Hunt is one of the most important corps in the former Hunt County, next to the Silmack mines.
The hill above the city offers a great view of the surrounding area. From the crosses, you can follow the twists and turns of Ipoly’s untamed tale, admire the ridges of Mount Börzsöny, but also view stretches of the Selmeci Mountains.
In good weather, we can see the ruins of Drigili Castle. Every season, visitors to Honti Calvary are greeted with a splendid sight.
At the end, the parish priest said: “We try to preserve our memory, carry it in our hearts and protect it for the benefit of our grandchildren.”
As Ilona Keresztes said: There is still a lot of work to do. The landscape at the top of Calvary Hill has also been left behind.
In this way, they continue the voluntary work to provide value which is carried out with exemplary cooperation.
(Péter Pásztor / Felvidék.ma)
