A small chapel nestled among the Buda hills. This is the Szeleczky-kápolna. Its unassuming exterior belies a rich history. A testament to faith family and a poignant journey across continents.
The Szeleczky-kápolna is more than just a place of worship. It’s a family legacy. Built in 1910 by Ede Lajos Szeleczky. He commissioned this small chapel to commemorate his 60th birthday. It stands as a symbol of his piety and gratitude to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John Nepomuk. The chapel is also known as the “Magna Domina” chapel.
Ede Lajos Szeleczky was an architect. He and his wife moved from Upper Hungary to Budapest in 1892. They purchased land in the Buda hills. A small statue of Mary already stood there. Devotees on their way to Remete often stopped to pray. Ede Lajos loved Remete. He decided to build a chapel around the statue. He designed it himself.
The Szeleczky family originally hailed from Upper Hungary. This explains the dedication to Saint John Nepomuk a prominent Czech saint. A statue of Saint John Nepomuk stands in the chapel’s courtyard. This statue and another headless one are under the care of the National Association of Visual Arts.
Many Szeleczky family members later emigrated to America. They died there. Yet in their wills they requested their remains be returned to their homeland. To this little chapel. Ede Lajos Szeleczky and five other family members rest beneath the altar. Only their ashes and bones are interred there.
The Szeleczky-kápolna has endured. In 1979 its roof was covered with zinc sheets. A master tinsmith from Kispest who had learned his craft in Holland did the work. He used a technique common in Holland. The chapel’s exterior was also renovated with a special type of plaster. Parishes in Budapest and Vienna contributed to the cost.
The Szeleczky-kápolna is a small structure. But it holds a large story. A story of faith family and enduring legacy. A place where personal devotion meets communal history. A quiet witness to the passage of time. This humble chapel. A testament to the Szeleczky family’s enduring spirit.