In September 2015, the Department of Archaeology at Pázmány Péter Catholic University conducted a scientific design study at the Franciscan Monastery of Szécsény, commissioned by the Franciscan Order of Our Lady of Hungary. The excavation was directed by Dr. Maxim Mordovin, Assistant Professor at ELTE's Department of Medieval and Early Modern Archaeology, with participation from faculty and students of PPCU's Department of Archaeology and three archaeology students from ELTE.
The project focused on the stratigraphic investigation of the sanctuary, sacristy, and the remnants of the chapel hall of the church, which has medieval origins. Preliminary geophysical surveys of the sanctuary and sacristy were conducted by the Laboratory of Archaeological Geoinformatics at PPCU, using ground-penetrating radar under the guidance of Dr. Gábor Bertók. During the excavation, a photo-3D survey of the sanctuary, sacristy, and trenches was carried out with assistance from the laboratory staff and a student.
Three research trenches were opened in the sanctuary of the church based on the findings of the geophysical surveys. At the eastern end of the sanctuary, the excavation uncovered an 18th-century monastic crypt, featuring a longitudinal brick dome vault with smaller drawer vaults. Medieval elements, such as the base stones of pilasters and the plinth of the stone seating booths on the southeastern side of the sanctuary, were also found. The western half of the sanctuary revealed the location of the 18th-century crypt of the Forgách family, which had been indicated in the geophysical survey. Rubble and fragments of three dismantled Baroque crypts were unearthed in the center of the sanctuary. Although earlier observations noted traces of medieval brick flooring, these remains were heavily disrupted by 18th-century construction activities and could not be continuously documented during the excavation.
The excavation benefited greatly from the support and hospitality of the Franciscan community and the residents of Szécsény, which facilitated smooth progress over the three weeks. Students participating in the project gained valuable insights into the archaeological features of the site, spanning from the medieval to early modern periods. During their free time, they had the opportunity to explore nearby castles, including Csábrág, Salgó, Somoskő, and Hollókő, through organized excursions, adding a broader historical context to their experience.
