Archaeological research at the Palatine mother monastery named after the Holy Cross
According to historical sources, a canon of Esztergom named Özséb began establishing a monastic community in the Pilis Mountains during the mid-13th century. The community’s initial center was the "Hármasbarlang" (Three Caves), located among the limestone cliffs on the western side of the mountain range. Over time, this community developed into an independent order, with its first formal monastery, the Monastery of the Holy Cross, constructed near a spring at the base of the cliffs.
Like many other monasteries in the Pilis region, the Monastery of the Holy Cross was destroyed during the Ottoman campaign of 1526. Its location remained uncertain until the late 1950s and early 1960s, when excavations led by István Méri of the Hungarian National Museum uncovered key features of the site. These included the church, sacristy, the eastern half of the chapel hall, and remnants of other structures. The findings were subsequently published by Dr. Júlia Kovalovszky, but no further excavations occurred for nearly 50 years.
In the autumn of 2013, at the request of the Order of St. Paul in Hungary, archaeological research resumed. This effort was undertaken by the Department of Archaeology at Pázmány Péter Catholic University in collaboration with the Hungarian National Museum, which houses the materials from Méri’s earlier excavation, and Professor Elek Benkő of the Institute of Archaeology, MTA BTK, an expert on the monasteries founded by the kings of Pilis.
The primary goal of the month-long excavation was to complete the archaeological study of the chapel hall, which had remained only partially accessible due to the extensive root system of a protected tree. The excavation revealed the room in its entirety, including a beautifully preserved brick floor, a critical feature of monastic life. The dig also unearthed numerous late medieval artefacts, including pottery fragments, stove glass, book covers, lead-framed window fragments, wall painting pieces, and carved stones from the building itself. These findings not only illuminated aspects of monastic life but also provided insight into the destruction of the chapel hall, which in its prime included an upper-level monks' dormitory.
As part of the university’s fieldwork class, a geophysical survey was conducted by nearly two dozen archaeology students under the guidance of lecturer Gábor Bertók. This survey examined parts of the monastery and its surroundings, revealing evidence of earlier constructions beneath the current monastery remains, likely from subsequent rebuilding phases. These findings will form the focus of future excavation seasons.
The excavation offered both researchers and students a wealth of professional experience in medieval monument study, all within the stunning natural surroundings of the Pilis Mountains. This unique setting, combined with the hospitality of the Cistercian community and the curiosity of numerous tourists, made the project a memorable and rewarding endeavour.
Balázs Major PhD - head of excavation
PPKE BTK Department of Archaeology
The excavation works were supported by the Hungarian Order of St. Paul, the Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Gyula Nagy (Csaba-Ire Ltd.) and Anna Mária Meschini Paoloné S. Nagy - in memory of her father, Dr. Zoltán Nagy, former director of the Esztergom Museum. Special thanks go to Dr István Horváth, the director of the Bálint Balassa Museum in Esztergom for four decades, for his help and professional support.
