Monastery

Kapornak  

The Kapornak Benedictine Abbey is in the village of Nagykapornak, in the county of Zala, Hungary.  Founded between 1145 and 1156, this abbey is known as the site of the first meeting of the Hungarian Benedictine Chapter (1217).

In the 16th century the monastery was dissolved due to restructuring of the county system and also as a result of the Ottoman occupation of Hungary. During this time, the monastery was transformed into a stronghold.  However, due to damages during the occupation, the abbey went out of use for a short time.  Also used by the Franciscans and the Jesuits, today the abbey now functions as a Catholic Church.  Visitors to Kapornak can view its still existing medieval architecture, as well as elements of typical Baroque style furnishings of the period.