Via Sancti Martin

It was first mentioned in documents in 1241 as the Church of the Blessed Virgin, but was destroyed by the Turks in the 16th century. Bishop György Széchényi had a new one built and dedicated it to the protection of Saint Nicholas. "Its nave and sanctuary are high and spacious. Besides its main altar, it has two side altars, and the pulpit is decorated with Turkish carpets."

In 1683, when the Turks besieged Vienna, the new church again became a casualty of the wars. In 1696, however, the church was beautifully restored and awaited the worshippers. It was restored to its present form in the second half of the 18th century thanks to Bishop Ferenc Zichy. The massive tower, with its stone balcony, covered with a glass helmet and completely unjoined, almost radiates the history of the wars it has been exposed to. The plain walls, pierced with narrow windows, also evoke the recent past rather than the Baroque era. The Baroque is evident in the interior. The main altarpiece, depicting the Ascension of Christ, is surrounded by a blue marbled wooden altarpiece with gilded marble. The semicircular frame bears a Zichy inscription, probably referring to the church's 18th century renovator. Both were made in the 20th century. On the sides are coloured wooden statues of St Imre and St Stephen. The two side altars are typical Baroque works: angels on a group of gilded clouds, garlands, Baroque angels, tabernacle with reliefs. The pulpit harmonises with these, with three gilded reliefs on the breastpiece and an ornate baptismal font held by a black boy. The gilded wooden sculptures on the consoles are beautiful: the helmeted figure of St. Florian with the flag and St. Cajetan with the cross.

Source of text and photos: https://fertorakos.hu/romai-katolikus-templom; www.miserend.hu