Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

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The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in downtown Miskolc is tucked away in a back courtyard, with its tower visible from only a few vantage points. Although unassuming on the outside, it houses Central Europe’s largest iconostasis, standing 16 meters tall and adorned with nearly 90 icons. This iconostasis was crafted by Eger wood sculptor Miklós Jankovics, while Ukrainian painters and Viennese artist Anton Kuchelmeister, who also painted the ceiling frescoes, contributed the icons. Among the treasures inside is a special icon traditionally believed to have been a gift from Russian Empress Catherine the Great. The church was built by Balkan merchants who, in gratitude for Miskolc’s hospitality, placed a Hungarian coat of arms on the pulpit. The construction occurred during the reign of Emperor Joseph II, whose decree prevented the church from being built on the street front, so it was hidden within a courtyard. Following Orthodox liturgical tradition, the church has no organ, as Orthodox services emphasize the human voice. The adjoining Orthodox Church Museum showcases a rich collection of sacred artifacts, including liturgical vestments woven with gold and silver, crosses, chalices, and other ecclesiastical treasures. The church’s ornate wrought-iron gates can still be opened with their original keys, and its unique acoustics add to the experience: there is a spot where one’s own echo can be heard with remarkable clarity.