Via Sancti Martin

The church of St. Martin of Ságizsidód, which was incorporated into the boundaries of Ipolytölgyes, was first mentioned in a document in 1225. The settlement, which was called Ságizsidód or Ság in the 13th and 14th centuries, was depopulated by the end of the 14th century. A Turkish census of 1570 refers to the then uninhabited place as St. Martin's Castle. The church building was destroyed sometime in the 16th century, but the surrounding cemetery continued to be used until the mid-1700s. Tradition has it that this was the 'old site' of Ipolytölgyes, now about two kilometres away. The remains of the church were excavated by archaeologist Kornél Bakay between 1969 and 1971. Today, only a few remains of the walls and the geographical name 'Szentmárton-dűlő' (St. Martin's field) are left to remind us of the ancient church. In the commemorative year of St. Martin, Ipolytölgyes also pays tribute to the village's old patron saint. The church remains will be marked with a commemorative cross, an information sign will be erected in the village and a mountain bike path will be marked to make it easier to reach the site.