Most of the Transylvanian cities have churches of five or six religions as the population is made of many ethnics. There are Orthodox that is the major religion in Romania, Catholics, reformed Christians, Lutherans and other religions.
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After the Lutheran church I wrote about last week, Reghin's most impressive church is the Catholic church. It situates at the lower end of the city center and was built between 1744 and 1784 in late baroque style.
The garden surrounding the church is a real beauty. Right at the entrance there are a few statues created by the artist Jorga Ferenc.
This is the statue of Gisela of Hungary.
Gisela of Hungary (or Gisele, Gizella and of Bavaria; c. 985 – 7 May 1065) was the first queen consort of Hungary by marriage to Stephen I of Hungary, and the sister of Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor. She has been beatified by the Catholic Church. source
On the right wall of the entrance there's a marble memorial plate, with the names of the members who died in the two World Wars. The plate dates back to 1968 and it is basically history set in stone.
On the left wall of the entrance there are these two marble memorial plates, commemorating the rector of the church and a parish priest.
One of the things I like to focus on when I'm visiting a church is the door. I have a thing for nice wooden doors and most of the churches have one or more wonderful doors. This is a nicely decorated door with wonderful handles and handle decorations.
Above the entrance there's another marble plate with a prayer of Saint Matthew, from 1956.
Each church has its ow rules and Catholic churches usually are partially open to the members for praying outside masses. Which means you can enter the church till the gates and pray anytime you want. This is why I was able to take some photos of the interior.
The place for prayers is at the entrance, you can pray here anytime during the day. This space is separated from the main isle of the church by an iron gate, which I forgot to take a photo of.
This is the other praying space on the right side, opposite to the other one.
This is a copy of the church's founding document, that dates back to 1769, when the construction of the building was finished.
From the entrance, throughout the gate I was able to take a photo of the interior, which is amazing.
This gorgeous painted window was created using the donation of a family mentioned at the bottom of the window. Back in those days, wealthy families, nobles were donating to the church to help the community build what it was needed. that is why you often see names carved on benches or marble plates on the wall with the name of the family who made the donation. This is very common.
According to this article, the original windows have been replaced with new ones that are decorated with paintings of kings and prominent figures.
Even though I wasn't able to go in, I was able to find a link on the church's website, that allows you to take a virtual, 360 degree tour inside. Click here
I was able to tale a photo of this window from outside. This is not the usual painted window, it is made of colorful glass pieces. I love it!
In the garden there are three statues (used to be 4 or 5 but the rest had to be taken down for political reasons), all work of the sculpture called Jorga Ferenc.
In the back there's the community center run by the Catholic church, hosting all kinds of social and cultural activities for every age group. The role of the church is to bring the community members together, guide them teach them. School kids are getting religious education, preparing them to enter the community when they reach a certain age. These activities are highly appreciated and sought after by parents and kids as well.
