Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 2000 Forint 2022, Adamo# EM474, Hungary, Hungarian National Memorial Sites, Ruins Garden of Székesfehérvár
  • 2000 Forint 2022, Adamo# EM474, Hungary, Hungarian National Memorial Sites, Ruins Garden of Székesfehérvár
Description

Hungarian historical landmarks hold profound significance as sites of memory, revered for their national, religious, regional, or minority importance. While they often boast remarkable architectural features, their primary value lies in their historical significance. According to legislation, a national memorial site can encompass either a constructed setting or a natural locale where a pivotal event from the past, shaping the nation's trajectory, or a significant state decision has unfolded, deemed worthy of national remembrance.

Distinguished national memorial sites serve as crucial touchstones in both Hungarian history and the history of the Hungarian State. They offer visitors a window into the pivotal events, tragedies, and triumphs that have shaped Hungary's past. Presently (as of 2024), the country boasts sixty-four recognized historical landmarks, designated as such by government decree following recommendations from the National Memorial and Mourning Committee. The National Heritage Institute ensures their consistent identification, erecting markers that not only uniformly distinguish the landmarks but also succinctly convey their significance to interested parties.

Engraver: Virág Szabó

Obverse

Depicts a slightly top-down view of the memorial site, highlighting the central reception building, a grave marked with a cross, and a detail of the stone wall of the Ruin Garden on the left. The upper edge bears the inscription "SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR" in a semicircular script, with "NATIONAL MEMORIAL SITE" in a lower semicircular script, and "RUIN GARDEN" horizontally below. The national monuments logo is situated in the lower right. The designer Virág Szabó's master mark is discreetly placed within the stone wall detail on the left side.

Székesfehérvár, known as Alba Regia in medieval Latin, was the political and ceremonial center of medieval Hungary. Founded around 972 by Duke Géza and later expanded by his son, Saint Stephen I, it became the site for royal coronations and burials, housing the coronation regalia, royal treasury, and archives. Although the exact location of Saint Stephen's coronation is debated, the construction of the country's largest basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, likely began in 1018. This early Romanesque church was first used for burials in 1031 with Prince Imre and later King Stephen in 1038. For nearly five centuries, Hungarian kings were crowned in this basilica, and it served as the royal burial site, housing fifteen kings and numerous nobles until Székesfehérvár fell to the Turks in 1543.

The Turks captured Fehérvár in 1543, leading to the plundering and destruction of the tombs. During the Fifteen Years' War, Christian forces briefly recaptured the city in 1601, but an explosion during the siege reduced the basilica to ruins. By the end of the 17th century, the basilica was practically leveled as its stones were repurposed. Extensive excavations by Alán Kralovánszky from 1965 to 1993 and later completed by Piroska Biczó in 2006 uncovered the full length of the former church, identifying the resting places of Saint Stephen and Prince Imre, and revealing the walls of an early cloister rebuilt in the 12th century.

SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR
ROMKERT
NEMZETI EMLEKHELY

Reverse

Depicts a detail of Saint Stephen's sarcophagus. Around the edge, the inscription "HUNGARY" is at the top and "FORINT" at the bottom. Below the sarcophagus depiction, on the left side, is the mint mark "BP.," in the center is the denomination, and on the right side is the year of issue, "2022."

A sarcophagus is a coffin, typically carved from stone and often displayed above ground, though it can also be buried. The term sarcophagus originates from the Greek words σάρξ (sarx) meaning "flesh" and φαγεῖν (phagein) meaning "to eat," thus translating to "flesh-eating." This derives from the phrase lithos sarkophagos (λίθος σαρκοφάγος), meaning "flesh-eating stone." The word also referred to a specific type of limestone believed to accelerate the decomposition of corpses due to its chemical properties.

MAGYARORSZÁG
2000
FORINT
2022

Edge

2000 Forint

Hungarian National Memorial Sites
Ruins Garden of Székesfehérvár

Subscribe series
Adamo# EM474
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Bronze Plated Copper
Weight 18.4 g
Diameter 37 mm
Thickness 2.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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