Öreg Temető

Beneath the watchful gaze of ancient trees, lies the Öreg Temető. This old cemetery whispers tales of Cinkota’s past. Öreg Temető isn’t your typical cemetery. Nature has reclaimed this space. The cemetery sits in the shadow of a centuries-old church. The church itself dates back to Saint Stephen’s reign, possibly around 1074. The Tatars and the Turks destroyed it. It was rebuilt several times, finally reaching its present form around 1770 thanks to Slovak Lutherans who settled in Cinkota in 1699. The church’s gothic tower now boasts a baroque spire. The original foundation and some of the wall remain from the medieval structure. The church stands as the largest Lutheran church in Budapest built on Árpád-era foundations. Adjacent to the church, Öreg Temető holds the memory of Cinkota’s residents. The cemetery was abandoned after World War II. Nature has woven its way through the tombstones. Lush vegetation and ivy embrace the weathered stones. Some graves remain well-preserved, still receiving fresh flowers. Many others have succumbed to time. Sunken plots and broken crosses stand as solitary mementos. A sense of tranquility pervades the area. It’s a peaceful place for reflection. Among the forgotten graves, one stands out. It belongs to Tabódy Ida, a prominent figure in Cinkota. She was the director of a teacher training college in Pozsony, which later moved to Cinkota in World War I. Tabódy Ida became a respected community member. She was named an honorary citizen in 1929. After her death in 1943, she was buried in Öreg Temető. Her original grave marker disappeared after the cemetery’s closure. In 2009, 80 years after receiving her honorary title, a memorial was erected in its place. Other notable figures rest in Öreg Temető, including Linczényi József, a teacher who served Cinkota for 60 years. The cemetery also holds the remains of relatives of Sándor Petőfi, the renowned Hungarian poet. Members of the Beniczky family, once lords of Cinkota, are also buried here. Their story ends with Gábor Beniczky’s tragic suicide in 1894 after facing severe debt. The Öreg Temető also harbors a darker tale. It is linked to Béla Kiss, the “Cinkota Strangler.” This serial killer from the early 20th century was never caught. He is believed to have murdered at least 24 women. Kiss, a tinsmith, lured women with marriage proposals. He stole their money and stored their bodies in metal drums in his home. Some drums were allegedly shipped abroad. When World War I broke out, Kiss joined the army. During his absence, his landlord discovered the bodies. The victims were then laid to rest in Öreg Temető. Kiss reportedly died of typhus in 1917, though there were later sightings of him in Budapest, the countryside, and even abroad. His final resting place remains unknown. The Öreg Temető, a place where history and nature intertwine, continues to hold the secrets and stories of Cinkota’s past.