The Pauline Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Located in Ómassa are the remains of the former monastery and church of the Paulines (Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit) living in isolation in the forest. You can get to the remains by following the blue cross tourist sign along the steep slope of the whirling path. The walls and remains of the Gothic building complex built seven hundred meters high are still visible today offering a unique experience for its visitors.

The Pauline Monastery was founded in the beginning of the 14th century by Palatine István from the Ákos dynasty. The undertaking of the construction of the monastery was attributed to Benedek Poha, a monk, who was associated with the royal workshop in Diósgyőr.

The two heads of the monastery of friars are known by name; they are recorded as Lőrincz from 1317 and Tamás from 1524.

Between 1526 and 1541, under the dual kingdom of John Szapolya and Ferdinand Habsburg, the Pauline Monastery of the Holy Spirit was completely abandoned. The buildings stood in ruins obscured by the dense Bukk forest.

The former one-nave style building of the Pauline Church was 20.5 meters (67.2 ft) long and 9.5 meters (31 ft) wide with a polygon shaped sanctuary and a vaulted roof. Most of the remains are of this church building. However, the monastery and the living quarters haven’t stood the test of times; only a few stone piles indicate that they once stood here.

The ruins are open to the public. Free admission.