Date of last update of the article: 13.04.2024 at 11:17 p.m   |  Author: Viktor Shatrov

Photos and video of the Horyany Rotunda in Uzhhorod

Brief overview

Detailed description of the Horyany Rotunda of St. Anne

The formerly independent administrative-territorial unit, the village of Horyany, became part of the city of Uzhhorod in the early 20th century. According to one hypothesis, Uzhhorod originated not from Zamkova but from Horyany Hill. Indeed, just above the rotunda are the ruins of either a palace or an ancient monastery, which locals call a “hillfort”.

It is an indisputable fact that part of this church of St Anne, the rotunda with narrow windows, is the oldest example of stone architecture in Uzhhorod. Its two-metre-thick walls testify to its antiquity.

There are many versions about the age of the rotunda’s foundation: from the IX to the XII century. The nave and sacristy of the church were built later – in the XIV-XV centuries. The glory of the Horyany Rotunda was brought by the unique frescoes found under the putty during the renovation in 1879. A preliminary scientific analysis has already established that this is a mural of the XIII-XIV centuries. The frescoes are painted mainly in cold colours and depict well-known scenes:

• “Annunciation“;
• “Escape to Egypt”;
• “Road to Calvary”;
• “Christ before Pilate”;
• “Last Supper”.

Apparently, the author of the frescoes was familiar with the works of Giotto, the forerunner of the Italian Renaissance. There is a version that the frescoes on the walls of the rotunda were commissioned by the owner of the Uzhok dominion, György Druget, an Italian by birth.

In 1960-1962, the frescoes were restored. Improper repairs in the early 1990s almost led to a disaster: the humidity level in the church increased, and the frescoes were threatened with extinction. Fortunately, funds were found to heat the church and replace the tin roof with shingles.

Another unique feature of the Horyany Rotunda is that it has five (and once six) radially placed apses inside, while temples of this type usually had eight such niches. Thus, the Horyany Rotunda is a regular hexagon in plan.

How to get to the Uzhhorod Horyany Rotunda?

 Walking route

On the map

What’s interesting nearby?

Other places of interest

Tours and excursions

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He was born and lived all his life in Uzhhorod. He graduated with a gold medal from Uzhhorod School No. 1 named after Taras Shevchenko (now Uzhhorod Lyceum named after Taras Shevchenko). He studied at the History Department of UzhNU, graduating with honours in 2009. He worked as a senior researcher at the Transcarpathian Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, a lecturer at the East European Slavic University.