Középkori kápolnák Csíkban
Medieval Chapels in Csík

Summary/Abstract: The study presents the medieval chapels of Csík-seat (East-Transylvania, Romania). The chapels were important elements in the ecclesiastical organisation and religious life of the Medieval Ages. There are no local historic records about the builders and building circumstances of these chapels, they first appeared in the 17th century and later sources. The later interventions often changed the shape of these buildings and, at the same time, very little research was made regarding their building history. This is the reason why chapels got very slight interest in the historiography. Based on Transylvanian written sources chapels started to spread in the 14th century in this region, while the founders belonged to the upper level of the society. We presume that the same process should happened also in Székely Land even if there are no records about it. Some of the chapels in Csík have archaic plans, dimensions, like the earliest ones, so at least some of them should be dated in the 14th century. In one case this period is definitely confirmed by wall paintings, in other cases only late medieval existence was proved. These are small buildings with polygonal sanctuary without buttresses, and equal nave-sanctuary width. They all are located outside the villages with parish churches, the actually surrounding cemeteries were formed only after the 18th century. The second group of the chapels is situated inside of filia status settlements. Their topographical situation and church-like shape reveals the building motivation and function. They were used for local masses because of the distance from the parish church. As a natural development most of them became independent parish church later in the 18–19th century.

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