Velo Martini - Pilgrimage on bicycle

The company responsible for the publication: Nyugat-Pannon Nonprofit Ltd.

Edited: Borostyánkő Ltd.

Photos: Viktória Illés, Zoltán Légrádi, Zsolt Simon, SacraVelo.hu

Created: 2022

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

During the 7-day cycling pilgrimage starting from Bratislava, many religious sites, historical and cultural heritage cross our path in beautiful landscapes that are easy to cycle on. It is not easyforustoleaveourdailyroutinetoembarkonajourneywith a different rhythm. On each of the seven days, spiritual guides will help our cycling pilgrimage at the designated locations. In addition,wewillalsolearnalotofinterestingthingsaboutthe culturalandnaturalvaluesvisiblealongtheway.

Our tour starts in Bratislava, in front of St. Martin's Cathedral, thenleadsthroughtherichlandscapesofSzigetköz,Mosonplain, Pannonhalma Hills, Rábaköz and Fertő-Hanság, and then takes theSopron-KőszegroutethroughtheAlpokaljatoSavaria,i.e.to Szombathely, to the birthplace of St. Martin, the end of the Via SanctiMartiniinternationalpilgrimageroute.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE ROUTE?

Thetotallengthoftherouteisnearly360kms.Thesectionsareonaverage4050kilometreslong,theshortest:26kms,andthelongest86.5kms,whichcan also be completed separately, you can join the route anywhere. If there are many railway stations and stops at the beginning, end and middle of daily sections, it is usually possible on the vehicles. Along the route, there are numerouscateringandaccommodationfacilities.

AlldetailedinformationabouttheroutecanbefoundontheHungarianwebsite of Via Sancti Martini, under the Hiking Routes menu item. The individual sectionsofthedayscanbedownloadedtoamobilephoneingpxformathere, helpingtonavigateduringtheday.Itshowshowwecangetfromonepointto the other. If you would like to explore a particular settlement or landscape in moredetail,inadditiontothedesignatedstoppingpoints,wealsorecommend additionalattractionsinthisbookletandonthewebsite,aswell.

Itisimportanttoprepareourbikesforthetour!Somepracticaladvice: Bag:usealuggagecarrierbag,inwhichyoucanpackheavierthings,thusincreasing yourcomfort.

Lighting:makesuretohavebackuplightingoraflashlightincaseitgetsdark. Choosecomfortableclothingforcycling,orsportsclothing.Besuretotakearaincoat withyou.Youshouldhaveawaterproofbaginwhichyoucanplaceyourbelongingsin caseofrain.

Safety:alwayshaveafirstaidkit,helmet,andreflectivevestwithyou!

Itisimportanttoeatanddrinkenoughduringthetour-theuseofwaterbottlesand waterbottleholdersisrecommended.

Tools: your bike can break down on the road, a mini pump, spare inner tube, tire remover,multitool,andchainsqueezercanbeusefulforquickrepairs.

The route is available in gpx format on the Via Sancti Martini website and can be downloaded.

day 1

BRATISLAVAMOSONMAGYARÓVÁR

Bratislava- Mosonmagyaróvár

Onthefirstday,followingtheEuroVelo6internationalcycleroute, we can see landmarks such as St. Martin's Cathedral in Bratislava, which,asaformercoronationchurch,isanimportanthistoricalsite andisstillanimportantchurchcentretoday.ThepeopleofBratislava revive the atmosphere of the era with annual coronation days. Another stop on the route is Rajka, where you can see the church named after St. Martin, built on Roman foundations, and there are several representations showing the life of the saint. At the end of theday,youcanparkyourbikeinMosonmagyaróvár,asmallertown with a 2,000-year history, where you can explore the Mosonmagyaróvár Castle, the Saint Gotthard Church, and relax on thewindingbanksoftheRiversLajtaandDanube.

Route information

WecanstartourjourneyfromtheSlovakcapital,Bratislava,a pleasant,friendlycitywithgoodcyclinginfrastructure.Before weembarkonthe41kmtouraheadofus,thestartingpoint ofthetouristheSaintMartinCathedral.Thecity,whichlies on both banks of the Danube, offers us several sights and historicalmemories.Wanderingthroughthecastledistrictof Bratislava, heading towards the city centre, we find an imposingcathedralnotfarfromthebanksoftheDanube.The building in front of us is the most important and most decoratedchurchintheSlovakcapital.

WhyisitcalledtheCoronationChurch?

Several members of the House of Habsburg were crowned here, the first such ceremonytookplaceon8thSeptember1563(MaximilianII-MiksaII).Afterthat, another18similareventstookplace,includingthecoronationofMariaTheresia (25th June 1741). Ferdinand V. was the last one to receive the Hungarian Royal Crown of Saint Stephen (28th September 1830) under the lead statue of Saint Martin. An incomplete list containing the names of 11 kings and 8 queens who werecrownedintheBratislavaCathedralcanbefoundinthenorthernpartofthe church'sinterior.

Its real splendour was achieved during the 200 years of continuousconstruction(15thcentury)andreconstruction.It bearsthesignaturesofmanyfamousmasters(suchasAnton Pilgram, Peter Parler), and successive generations of excellence have turned up here, whose names are also associatedwiththeconstructionofSt.Stephen'sCathedralin ViennaorSt.Vitus'CathedralinPrague.

The coronation of the kings took place according to the exact order of ceremoniesapprovedbytheKingElectingAssembly,whichdeterminedtheroute along which the coronation procession went to the individual stations of the ceremony. The future ruler usually entered the city through the same gate and travelledalongthesameroadashispredecessors.Nowadays,thecoronationof therulersiscommemoratedeveryyearatthepopularcoronationcelebrationsin Bratislavawhenyoucanwalkalongthepathofthekings.

Stopping in front of the equestrian statue of the saint in front of St. Martin's Cathedral, we can obtain the following spiritual provision:

"I am the Way," Jesus introduces himself. Dear Pilgrim, you are on your way! Start this journey in the name of Jesus, asking for His blessing! Ask for his blessing on your pilgrimage, on the path of your life, so that you can arrive at your destination through him...

Look up to the top of the tower of the coronation dome aiming for the sky. On the golden Holy Crown is the cross, the sign of our Christianity, our belonging to Christ. Make a cross and offer all the small and big crosses of your journey for the intention you brought with you on the journey.

Upon entering, bend your knees in the direction of the heart of St. Martins Cathedral, that is, the sanctuary that guards the Holy of Holies Tell the Lord who lives here what you are happy about, why you are grateful, what is concerning you at the moment or what you are expecting from this journey

The saints including St. Martin have also travelled a path. Everyone has to sanctify and become holy as they go along their personal life path. The example of those who have already reached the goal inspires us, suggests ideas, and encourages us, as does the example of St. Martin...

Light shines through the coloured glass windows. In the sanctuary of the church through the figures of Saint Martin, Saint Stephen and Saint László, as well. Through the saints, the Light flows among us Would you like to be this kind of person for your environment? Be open to the Light all along your journey…

Spending time in front of the equestrian statue of St. Martin may remind you of the importance of doing good to others On your way, don't just expect help from others, but also make your pilgrimage more valuable by taking advantage of the situations that offer good deeds...

I used to be a coronation cathedral. Think about the past with respect. But also look towards the future; so that God can crown your earthly life with eternal happiness. Don't lose sight of the Goal, so proceed on the Path... Have a good trip!

Prayer

Our loving Lord, Heavenly Mother May the Virgin Mary, Saint Martin and all the saints of the people of the Holy Crown intercede for me with You, so that the pilgrimage I have begun serves the good of my immortal soul! Take care of me on the road, shape me as you like, make me open to the contemplation of your wonderful greatness: seeing your creative work in the beauty of nature, seeing your talents given to people through the beauty of architecture and art, seeing you in every human brother and sister I meet on the road May you accept the request of my heart (...), which I have brought with me on this journey, fulfil my desire as you please!

May you watch over those who are at home with your love, those whom I still think about now, and who accompany me on my journey with their loving attention in their spirits!

Bratislava

Amen.

Aftervisitingthechurch,wesetoffeastwardfollowingthecourse oftheDanubeonthebikepath.

The road leads out of the city alongside the winding Danube, sometimes through wooded areas and meadows, here and picnic areas and buffets are waiting for us to stop by. Near Rusovce / Oroszvár,ourroadtakesuspastbeautifullakes,thenwecanpass through the last Slovak settlement (Cunovo / Dunacsún) before crossingtheborder. LeavingSlovakia,wecanalsocontinuetoenjoythecalmandquiet atmosphereofthefloodedforestareaintheHungarianpart.

Winding along the asphalt road near Mosoni-Danube, arriving at the HungarianbordersettlementofRajka,wearegreetedbyabuildingofthe formerRomanborderfortressthatusedtobelongtotheLimes.

ThesettlementisdedicatedtoSaintMartin,itsfirstchurchdatesbackto the13th-century.ItstowerwasbuiltonthewallsofaRomanwatchtower. DuringthelastattemptoftheTurkishEmpiretogettoViennain1683,the village was destroyed. All that remains of the medieval building are the pointedarchedwindowsofthetower,themuralonthesouthernwalland the14th-centurysacristy.Thechurchacquireditspresentformduringthe Baroqueera(in1741).Inoneofthestatuenichesofthewesternfacade, we can see a statue of the church's namesake saint, Saint Martin. The paintingofitshighaltardepictstheglorificationofSaintMartin.

From a watchtower protecting the limes, the border of the Roman Empire, it has become a chapel and then a church. From the instrument of wars to the sanctuary of peace Saint Martin wanted to leave the Roman army as soon as possible after his conversion at the age of 18, and sharing his cloak. However, this was not easy, the penalty for military deserters was death. Before the battle near Vangion (present-day Worms) (AD 356), Emperor Julian distributed money to the soldiers. It was then that Martin announced that he wanted to permanently stop serving in the military. The emperor replied that he must be afraid, which is why he wants to leave the army. Martin then said that the following day he would be happy to stand in the front line without any weapons, helmets or shields. And so it happened, the next morning Martin was standing in the front row unarmed. However, the enemy, contrary to all expectations, did not attack, but sent envoys, and asked for peace. The emperor saw the making of God in this and released Martin from the army.

True power is not violence, but love, honesty, loyalty, the power of humanity preserved in all circumstances. Martin's life teaches us all these. The silence of the churches radiates this mysterious power. Do I know the inner, peaceful force that does not destroy but builds, does not tear apart but holds together? How can I grow in this? How could I be a peaceful watchtower that guards the values and treasures of the family, the national community, and the created world?

Rajka

Leaving Rajka, we head towards Bezenye, where a significant German, Croatian and Hungarian ethnic communities live. Our next destination that is our final destination,isMosonmagyaróvár,whichisalsocalledthe gateofSzigetköz.Thecity'shistorydatesbacktoRoman times,itwaspartoftheLimes,theborderdefencesystem alongtheDanube. You can relax from the fatigue of the day in the healing water of the thermal spa, which is one of the five most effective healing waters in Europe, and you can take a pleasantwalkalongtheriverLajta,whichmeandersacross the settlement, discovering the city's treasures - the Habsburg House, the Cselley House, the St. Gotthard Church, the Castle as well as the St. John of Nepomuk Church. We can store our bikes in safe storage or even carry out minor maintenance in the bike storage as well as on the postedbikerackprovidedbythelocalTourinformoffice. ThepilgrimsarewelcomeintheLunczerGuestHouseand theKis-DunaMotel.Ofcourse,therearealsomanyother high-qualityguesthousesandhotelsinthesettlement.

Mosonmagyaróvár -Győr

In this section, you can taste the traditional flavours of the area of Szigetköz: the local version of Óvár cheeses, pickled fish or fish soup offers a unique experience. In Mosonmagyaróvár, it is worth visiting the church of St. John of Nepomuk, which Maria Theresia had promisedtobuild,thusitwasthenbuilt.Wecrossoverthesparkling waters of the Mosoni-Danube several times, in summer we can even takeapleasantbathinitsquiet,cleancoolingwater.Wecanmeetthe legendary 'witness' in Hédervár, who witnessed the thousand-year changeoftime,wecanhavearestattheCalvaryinÁsványráróinthe shade of a hundred-year-old poplar tree, and finally, when we reach ourdestination,wecanseethetowersofthefamousFiveTemplesby walkinginthesunsetinGyőrorfromaboatontheMosoni-Danube.

MOSONMAGYARÓVÁR-GYŐR

Route information

In the morning, you should visit the St. John of Nepomuk Church in Mosonmagyaróvár,whichislocatedinthecitycentre.

Saint John of Nepomuk was a priest who sacrificed his life for his vocation. Despite the most terrible tortures of the Czech king Wenceslas, he did not reveal the queen’s secrets, her confession to God to the king that she had told him in confession.

LegendThe building of the church is attributed to Maria Theresia. According to the legend, the queen was on her way from Vienna to Buda when her carriage sank in the marshy Moson soil, and she was only able to continue her trip with the help of the citizens. Maria Theresia promised to build a church in the same place as a thanking gesture if the area gets filled in and a solid foundation is created to make the construction of the church possible. The hardworking citizens of Moson completed the work the queen had asked. The queen kept her promise and the church, whose patron saint is St. John of Nepomuk, was built with her financial support.

Saint Martin, after rejecting many similar invitations, once again attended Emperor Maximus' feast. Many of the bishops who were present at the feast spoke flattering words to the emperor who had obtained the power by force, and on whose hands much blood clung. Martin did not join in this flattery. Moreover, when the emperor ordered that the great cup be given to Martin first, hoping that the holy bishop would pass it on to him, Martin instead gave the cup to the priest accompanying him, not to the emperor.

21 Coptic Christians accepted death on the coast of Libya in 2015, unable to renounce their faith. They are great examples of freedom from power, as well as loyalty even to martyrdom. Am I free from the temptation of power, wealth, and servitude? Do I dare to speak the truth, even if I have to suffer for it? Do I have a little of the greatness of the martyrs in me?

Mosonmagyaróvár

On this day, we can taste the flavours of Szigetköz. In the small, localshopsoronthecheeseplattersoftherestaurantsinthearea, you can find the top products of the local traditional dairy industry, the "Óvár" cheeses, the most popular classic cheese varieties, flavoured, smoked cheeses and cheese specialities such asProvoloneorKashka.

Bygettingonourbikesandleavingthecity,wecanridethroughsmall settlementsallthewaytoGyőr.LeavingMóvár-asthelocalscallit-we crosstheMosoni-DanubebridgeandarriveinHalászi.Onahotsummer day,youcanrefreshyourselfinthequiet,coolingwateroftheDanube atHalásziBeach.Onthemainsquareofthevillage,nexttothebaroque cottages that have been preserved in their original state, we can find thechurchofSt.Martin.

Martin absconded from home even at the age of ten. He didn't go to have fun, but went to church, registered as a religious student (catechumen), and wanted to be baptized. At the age of twelve, he dreamed of becoming a hermit, devoting his life to God in pure silence. At the age of fifteen, his pagan father tied him up and forced him to take the military oath and thus become a soldier. At the age of eighteen, Martin shared his cloak with the trembling beggar. That night he had a dream. He saw the heavenly world, the angels and Christ himself. Christ, who had half his military cloak on his shoulders, said: "I received this cloak from Martin the catechumen." Martin woke up from his sleep, he was extremely happy. Soon after, he was baptized, and from this all his desire was to be only a soldier of Christ, his messenger and servant.

Life turning moments in a human life. Moments when the sky opens, when we see the veil of things behind, when we perceive the true depth of our existence, the ultimate perspective. What have the poignant, fate-changing moments of my life been? Let me thank for them, recall them! Can I live in the light of these moments, worthy of them? Or have I let them turn grey and fade?

Spiritual Provision

Halászi

Turning right after the church, following the Szigetköz cycle path, we are greeted by the typicalKisalföldcountryside.Ifyougethungry during the day, it's worth trying the famous Szigetköz pickled fish, which is prepared in severalrestaurantsalongtheroute.

You can discover historical memories on flat terrain, cycling comfortably through charming villages. At the resting place on the border of Darnózseli, you can not only regain your strength,alsothelocalsawaitpassers-bywitha novelstoredthere,forthosewhowanttoread aninterestingbook.

Our journey continues through one of the most romantic settlements of the Szigetköz, where a count's castle with streams and tranquillity awaits those who come to Hédervár. The settlement has been interwoven with several stories, starting from the time of the conquest (900s).Wecanalsomeettheoldest"witness"of thelifeofthevillage,thishugeoldbogoak,the ÁrpádTree,whichsprawlsinfrontoftheChurch of Our Lady. Local folklore links this to a legendary event, according to which the conquering leader Árpád tied his horse to it on hiswaytothebattlenearBratislavain907.The treecanactuallybe7-800yearsold.

ThenextstoponourjourneyisÁsványráró,where wecantakeacloselookattherichwildlifeofthe Danube tributary system. At the border of the village,onthewaytoGyőr,ontheleftside,onthe bankoftheDanube,youwillfindtheCalvary.Here we get our second spiritual guide. The hundredyear-old poplar tree is at the angle of the earliest triangularbuildinginHungary,whichsurroundsthe Calvary. In terms of the decoration of the Calvary, wefindthreeofeverythinghere.

Aftertherichnaturalenvironmentandspectacular forests, we arrive in the largest city of Szigetköz; Győr.InthedistrictofGyőr-Újváros,achurchoffive Europeanreligionscanbefoundnexttoeachother within700metres,whichisuniqueinEurope.

Calvary

A huge, ancient black poplar tree and wooden crosses The Creator planted a beautiful order and harmony in nature. His beauty shines through the Sun, the Moon, the stars, the blooming flowers, the faces of children. The same beauty, the same light shone in Christ, in his life and death on the cross. The aspen tree and the wooden crosses proclaim the same divine beauty and love.

Martin was a man of prayer. Sulpicius Severus, Martin's great admirer and biographer, wrote about it: "Just as blacksmiths have the habit of striking the anvil during work as a way of resting, so Martin always prayed, even when he was apparently doing something else."

Look at the two trees in amazement! Feel the presence and radiance of the same divine beauty and divine light in them! Prayer is nothing more than opening our souls to this light. Let it flow into you to fill you up! Keep your soul in the Sun!

Ásványráró

Győr-Pannonhalma

InGyőr,fivechurchesoffivereligionsarelocatedincloseproximity toeachotherinauniquelocationonasinglestreet.Afterleaving from the city and following the Pannonhalma cycle path in the directionofLakeBalatonandVeszprém,wearriveatanopen,flat area where, according to the locals, there is always a headwind. After 10 kilometres, the landscape changes, we leave the flat Kisalföld behind and enter the Sokoró hills. As we get closer and closer to the building complex of the Pannonhalma Abbey on the top of the hill, its impressive shape gradually emerges with each kilometre we complete. Entering the city, after the first small climb,westopatthe"Ateveryone'scrossroads",whereSt.Martin welcomesus.Afterthat,eitherwemusterupthestrengthtocycle up to the main entrance of the abbey, which already has a real sportingvalue,orwecanleaveourbikesatthebaseofthehilland discover all the values and the panorama that St. Martin's Hill offersonfoot.

Route information

Leaving in the morning, from the Rába double bridge, Győr's other river, River Rába, shows her face; her changeable, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, moody character. The river flows into the Danube 200metreswestofhere,andtheycontinuetheirjourneytogetherto the Danube Delta, the Black Sea. Turning towards Kossuth Street, the Old Evangelical Church, built without a tower, hides almost unnoticedinaclosedcourtyard. TheSynagogue,whichislocatedafewstepsawayfromhere,serving now as a museum and concert hall, is much more striking with its characteristic hemispherical domes and rosette windows. The tall toweroftheneighbouringReformedChurchandtheSt.JohnParish Churchbuiltalittlelowerontheothersideoftheroad,canalsobe seen from afar. The line is closed by the Serbian Orthodox Church, which today is the place of the religious life of the local Greek Catholic community - its beautiful wall covered with icons - on the iconostasis–aswellasitscarvedpewsmakeitspecial.

With the exception of the Synagogue, the above-mentioned churchescanbevisitedduringservicesandduringtheFiveChurches guidedtours.

The Roman and Greek Catholic (former Serbian Orthodox), the Lutheran, the Reformed Church and the Synagogue stand peacefully next to each other.

In Martin's time, the emperor began to persecute the Priscillians. The essence of the movement was the living of evangelical poverty, the rejection of carnal desires (and sometimes marriage), "pure" Christianity. This group was mostly driven by good intentions. However, they also strongly criticized the secularizing, increasingly comfortable and wealthy church leaders and the custodians of political power. The founder of the movement, Priszcillianus was executed by Emperor Maximus in 385 AD.

On one occasion, Martin lay down in front of the gate of Avitianus Comes’ palace for the whole night to beg for the lives of the prisoners destined for death. The execution planned for the next day was not carried out by the shocked Comes, the prisoners were saved. Martin interceded for persecuted Christian groups, considered heretics.

Can I be a man of peace? Are you a person who understands what you disagree with? Who speaks the truth, but does not force anyone to accept it?

One street - five religions, five churches

MovingawayfromtheMoson-Danube,leavingthecitytowardstheeast,youcanalreadyseeSt.Martin'shillwith thePannonhalmaArchabbeyinthedistance,whichmajesticallyaccompaniesourjourney.Whenyoureachthecity, theplainisreplacedbysteephills,itisrecommendedtoleaveyourbikenearthepathatthebottomofthehill leadingtotheabbey,andcontinueyourjourneyonfoot.

Everyone'swayofthecrossisnexttothe"LittleChurch"inPannonhalma.Atthebeginningoftheroad,thestatue of St. Martin welcomes us. Passing by the columns, we can find representations of each station of the cross.

Leaving the Way of the Cross, we head up the hill, accompanied by the shining dome of St. Martin's Basilica. Lookingbackandforthduringourjourney,greenwoodedgrovesandfieldsfillthelandscape.

CrossingtheentranceoftheMainAbbeyonthecobbledroad,wearegreetedbymanysights-theSt.Martin's Basilica,theCloisterorthelibrarywith400,000volumes,whichpreservesrelicsrelatedtoHungary,aredefinitely worthavisit.

The first Hungarian school

Saint Stephen, although he was one of the most powerful rulers in Europe - in 1030 he destroyed the armies of Conrad, the German emperor at Győrhe never started wars of conquest. He had churches built and founded monasteries and schools, and dioceses. Christianity amazingly fertilized the history of humanity. Christians created the first free hospital open to all in history (in Caesarea, Cappadocia in the 4th century AD) and the first free school. Not rich kings or emperors, but simple, poor Christian monks. The clear appearance of the concept of human dignity, which is the main basis of our entire Western legal system, the social network, and the democratic state order, also has Biblical roots, as well as does the start of the huge scientific and technical development, to which Europe and the world owe so much.

Christianity is a fertilizing, life-giving source. When we try to preserve values, we don't stick to stones, we don't stick to petrified traditions, but we try to stay close to the Source and draw from it. The personalist philosopher Martin Buber said that culture lived as long as it was connected to the Animating Secret that once had created it. Europe has a future as long as it can draw from this life-giving source.

Do I know this source and its enormous history-shaping power? Do I live near the source, am I in touch with the living water? What can I do to cleanse the well of life so that I can draw more from it?

Pannonhalma

LeavingtheAbbey,followingthelocaltrail,wereachtheChapelofOurLady. Fromthe20-metre-highlookoutpointlocatedintheparkforestsurrounding theAbbey,thewavesoftheSokoróihillscanbeseeninfrontofus.Wecan also enjoy the beauty of the landscape below us from the high path extendingabovethecanopyoftrees.Thepathhastheshapeofoneofthe oldestChristiansymbols,thefish.

Thequalitydelicaciescannotbeleftouthereeither.Excellentwines,liqueurs, snacks bearing the abbey's trademark, teas made from herbs and lavender basedonabbeyrecipescanbeconsumedandpurchased.Onawinerytour, youcanalsotastelocalwinesintheuniqueabbeywinery,andevenaround St.Martin'sDay,youcangetthewinethatbearshisname,St.Martinus.

In the evening, we can have a rest by taking advantage of the local accommodationoptions,orwecanreturntoGyőrbybicycleortrain.

day 4

GYŐR-LÉBÉNY-FERTŐD

Győr-Lébény-Fertőd

Duringpilgrimages,thereisalwaysadifficultmomentwhenallour strengthmustbegatheredtobeabletomoveon.Onthe4thday,we can look forward to a more breath-taking distance, this is perhaps themostdifficultdayduringthepilgrimage.InLébény,themeeting point of the St. James's and St. Martin's pilgrimage routes; the HungarianCaminooffersinnerrenewal.Movingfurthertowardsthe Austro-Hungarian border, in the Hanság region, nature will be our companion, helping us on our spiritual journey. We should prepare with food and drinking water especially well for this stage of our journey.

StartingfromPannonhalma,wecanreturntoGyőrbytraintogether withourbicycle.BychangingtrainsattheGyőrtrainstation,youcan comfortablycoverasmallerpartofthedistance(20kms,toLébény) by train or bike transport. It is worth getting off the train to Mosonmagyaróvár at the Öttevény station, or, in the case of other shuttles, at the Lébény -Mosonszentmiklós stop. In this case, we shouldalsobewellpreparedwithfoodanddrinkingwater.

Route information

Starting from Győr, or cycling just a few kilometres from the railway stations, we arrive in Lébény, where the church in the centre of the town, built in 1212, dominatesthespacewithitsleantowers,anditssquat,powerfulmass,attracting ourattention.ManyinterestinglegendsareassociatedwiththeconstructionofSt. Jacob'sChurch,suchasseveralversionsof"Thelambsturnedtostone"orthetale ofthestonesboughtforlambs,whichisalsoproofofhowimportantaroleitplayed inthelivesofthelocalsfromitsconstructionthroughoutitshistory.

Thechurchwithahistoryfullofdifficultiesandtwistsandturnsisworthtakinga look at from the outside and then walking around. We find the architectural features of the Romanesque style, such as the semi-circular closing of the towers andthetwinwindows.Thechurchisguardedbythewatchfuleyesofthegargoyle statues, the part between the columns is filled with extremely rich carvings of tendrils and acanthus leaves. Entering the church, we are greeted by spaces overflowingwithdignityandsolemnity,andwecanalsoseedepictionsofeventsin Hungarianhistory,thesaintsoftheÁrpádHouseonthewalls.

Legend

According to legend, there was nothing to build the church on, in a swampy place surrounded by water and forest, there was no stone for a seven-day walk. So building materials had to be brought from far away. But the most pious and elderly monk set out on a journey and returned with a huge flock of sheep. After an all-night vigil and prayer, the monks and the faithful were astonished to see early in the morning that the sheep had turned to stone. From these stones the monks built the temple that still stands before us today.

Saint Jacob Church

Two major pilgrimage routes meet here, Saint Jacob and Saint Martin. Medieval Christianity, especially after the pilgrimage routes to Jerusalem had become impossible, created many new pilgrimage routes. One of the most important of these was the pilgrimage of St. Jacob to Santiago de Compostela.

The whole human life is a great pilgrimage. God the Creator stands at the beginning of our life's journey. He started the universe, and our life also sprung from him. God is eternal love. Life is in him that flows from the Father to the Son and back from the Son to the Father through the Holy Spirit: eternal birth and eternal creation of life Universe has been created from this love; the dance of atomic nuclei and electrons, the love of man and woman. A person's life is beautiful when he realizes this infinite beauty and goodness that are hidden behind the secret of the world. Our life is beautiful if we allow this infinite goodness to flow through us as well. Humans were born to love. We will be happy if we succeed in giving our lives.

God has called you to life with eternal love. God has called you to this pilgrimage, as well. You can get closer to him with every step you take. The steps and kilometers of the road are the steps taken in your heart, an inner path.

Look in amazement at the beautiful world that surrounds and embraces you! Feel the embrace of the Creator God in it. Give thanks for the path of your life, which God has set you on, and also for this pilgrimage! Why, for whom are you completing the pilgrimage?

The local religious community provides accommodation for pilgrims, and they are also happy to lead spiritual exercises on site if required. The visitor centre was built on the foundations of a part of the medieval Benedictine abbey building, which was converted into a parish in 1838. The centrewelcomespilgrimsandtourists,whocanalsovisitthe relicofSt.JamesI,themartyroftheapostles.

Lébény VeloMartini

FollowingthesignsontheSacraVelobikepath,wecanridewestward all the way to Osli. We pass through Bősárkány, where it is worth takingalookatthepublicsacralstatues.Whenwereachthevillage of Osli, to the north next to the field, a calm and quiet landscape surrounds us on the road through the forest, all the way to the Austrian-Hungarianborder,wherewereachthedirtbikepathmarked EuroVelo13.HerewewanderintotheterritoryoftheFertő-Hanság NationalPark,asmallriverononeside,whiletheforestbordersour routeontheother,whichexudespeaceandtranquillity.

As a border river, the main Hanság Canal separates Austria and Hungary, but the Andau Bridge connects it and ensures passage between the countries. Today, the bridge is a historical monument andatemporarybordercrossing.However,itssignificancechanged in 1956. It is said that "this bridge was the most insignificant small structureintheworld,whichthen,byawhimoffate,becameoneof the most important bridges in the world". All this is not an exaggeration,sincearealexodustookplacehereinNovember1956, as almost 70 thousand Hungarians left the country across the MosontarcsaBridge.

The path of refugees

There are so many escapes in human history! How many times has man become man's wolf! The poem by Kölcsey, or National Anthem has become a tragic reality in the lives of many of our compatriots: "he looked everywhere and did not find his home in this country..." This place is a bridge for refugees, a path for refugees. So many hearts were almost broken as they were walking along this path.

Martin also had to escape several times. In Illyria, he was flogged, and driven away by the Arian leaders of the area., He had to leave Milan, as well, due to the slander and persecution of Auxentius, the teacher of the Arians.

On the other side of the bridge, many Austrian homes welcomed those who went over it with warm food and comforting words. Can I also be a refuge for the castaways of life, for those who are nobody's children, who have no one left?

Andau/Mosontarcsa

Leaving the Andau bridge, we cycle on along the canal on the Hungarian side, then turn off towards the paths provided by the forest.Wecanfollowseveralsignstoourdailydestination;Fertőd. YoucanalsolookattheEuroVelo13signsorthesignstohelpyou tocyclearoundLakeFertőviaSarród. WecanrestontheplaincalledMexikópuszta(theMexicanDesert), there is a lookout and resting place awaiting cyclists overlooking thereeds.WecanalsocatchaglimpseofthewildlifeofLakeFertő, asthegreategretortheredheronflybetweenthereedsandthe muddy lumps of the lake. After the rest, there are not many kilometres left to arrive and then lay down our heads for sleep afterthelongdayinFertőd.

Fertőd -Sopron

Lookingbackonthedayssofar,wehavebeentocountlessplaces andhadmanywonderfulexperiences.Todayisnodifferent,wewill beadventuringinlocationsthatofferspecialities.Wecancontinue our pilgrimage in the protected natural environment of the Fertő landscape (UNESCO world heritage), which we had a glimpse of alreadythepreviousday.Theeconomyofthelandscapegivesusa realboost.Itmaybebiasedtosaythatwewillhavetheopportunity tovisitoneofthemostbeautifulpartsbutleteveryonedecidefor themselves!

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Süttör – Saint Andrew Church

The priest-poet Mihály Mentes was born here, whose lines have been sun by hundreds of thousands ever since: "God, we kneel before you for o country..." What a great thing it is to write something in history, something that will shape and enrich the hearts of many!

When Martin entered Paris, he "kissed and blessed a leper who loo horrible to everyone." This gesture was repeated in the life of Saint Franc When Francis embraced the leper, he felt the kind of happiness he ha been searching for in vain. Until then, he had known the joy o entertainment. Then he experienced the happiness of love. Martin's gestur continued in the lives of De Veuster's Saint Damian and several othe saints. The good deed of Saint Nicholas has been living on in the same way - fo 1700 years. Throwing the bag of money in the cottage through the windo the pious bishop enabled the marriage of three impoverished beggar gir Humanity has been repeating the benevolent bishop's gesture ever since What am I writing in the history of the world, in the hearts and lives others? Nothing worthwhile? Or just hurtful, confusing words a actions?

Fertőd

Spiritual Provision

y , e gul rly organizedhere.

Saint Andrew Church

A 900-year-old church, approx. 800-year-old frescoes. Fo the orders of Saint Stephen, every 10 villages built a chur towers pointing to the sky make life dignified in the othe of the village. The towers that indicate that our existence ha reason and a fulfilment. They indicate that our existence do go from nothing to nothing.

Village church - rural wisdom. The man of the village sees rise every morning, he experiences that without rain the harvest, he knows all the inhabitants of the village like the his hand, he knows his ancestors and his roots well. He ha of wisdom that the city dweller very often lacks.

Do I appreciate the wisdom of the country man? Do I kno teaching of the church towers?

Spiritual Provision

Heading in the direction of Fertőszéplak, beautiful herringbone houses

line our way through the village, preserving the folk architectural traditions typical of the world heritage cultural landscape of Fertőd.

Passing through Hegykő, also famous for its pálinka, we soon arrive at Hidegség,whereit’sworthtohaverest.

Hidegség

everything.Ifyouvisitthecountrysideinautumn,duringthe harvest season, you can even enjoy delicious, fresh grape juice among the vineyards. During our trip, we can see perhapstheonlyoliveplantationofAustriaaroundMörbisch amSee(Fertőmeggyes)!

taking a short walk in downtown of Sopron, the evening lights dress the buildings in beautiful colours. Grapes have been grown in the countryside since Roman times, so it is worthtastingthetraditionalvarietiesofwineofferedbythe Sopronwineregion.

Sopron-Kőszeg

ThemedievaldowntownsofbothSopronandKőszegareextremely rich in medieval monuments, churches, and residential buildings, which determine their atmosphere. Walking along their winding, cobbledstreets,thedoorways,colourfulhouses,andcourtyardshide andtellmanystories.Onthe5thday,wewillgettoknowthelegend of the construction of the Goat Church, as it is called in everyday language, as well as Sopron's oldest street, which is called Új utca (NewStreet)nowadays.TheKőszegmountainsbeckonusaswepass through vineyards, wooded and hilly areas, all the way along the footprintsofSt.Martin.

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In the heart of the city centre, in Fő tér, we find the Gothic Goat Church. Architecturally, the church was influenced by the styles of several periods, including Gothic and Baroque. Thisdualitycanbeobservedinmanyareasinthechurch,on the guardian stones decorated with leaves or distorted humanheads,onthebeautifulvaultoronthedelicatestone lattices. The church was the scene of many historical events: King Ferdinand III, and two Hungarian queens were crowned, as well as five parliaments were held here. According to the legend,St.JohnofCapistranalsopreachedhere.

Goat Church

Legend

"According to legend, the slender tower of the church was built from Turkish treasury riches, dug out by a goat, but in reality there is a murder case behind it. One of the perpetrators of János Büki's murder was Henrik Geissel (Hungarian: Kecskés), who donated the money for the construction of the church tower as penance for himself or his family." (VisitSopron)

Saint John of Capistrano used preach in this place. That Italian Franciscan monk to whom we Hungarians owe so much. One of the great heroes of the Nándorfehérvár triumph. In 1456, even though they had heard the news of the Turkish advance, the governors did not gather an army, even though the papal envoy warned them in vain. However, Mihály Szilágyi remained in the fortress of Fehérvár with barely 5-7 thousand men, a ridiculously small army compared to the Turkish army. He said that even if we all die, we would protect our women, our children, and our country. After that, János Hunyadi collected some reinforcements and entered - not easily - the besieged castle. But that would not have been enough to win. The large army; about 35,000 people, was collected by the preaching of Saint John of Capistrano (and he didn't even speak Hungarian). They weren't soldiers. Fathers, youths, husbands and brothers. This is how we were able to win there, and thus the Turkish conquest only took place about 80 years later. When the Turks invaded Hungary, during the Battle of Mohács, approx. 4 million Hungarians lived in the Carpathian Basin. When the Turks were defeated, there were only approx. 2 million. According to many, the great miracle of history is that we were still able to get back on our feet, that the Hungarian people rose again. Bow your head before the great Franciscan monk! What do you put on the common table of the nation - not because it is paid for, not because it is applauded, but out of a sense of responsibility and generosity?

Sopron

The city still has surprises in store for us, Új utca (New Street) opening fromthemainsquareisactuallytheoldestpartofthecity.TheGothicOld Synagogue, unique in Central Europe, hides here among the houses. The Jewslivingherewerenotrich,accordingtothefirstwrittenrecords,their firstchurchwasbuiltinthecityattheendofthe12thcentury,whichwasa houseofprayer,anassemblyhallandalsoaschool.Afteritsrenovation, we can see the community's former hospital and the ritual bath, both in theiroldcondition.

Old Synagogue

How much humanity owes to the Bible, and thus to the people of the Bible! The realization of the one, invisible, personal, creative God, the pure moral consciousness of the ten commandments, the seventh day of rest, the hope proclaimed by the prophets, the Savior prophesied by them.

Do I know the Book of Books? Am I passing this treasure to my children and grandchildren as the most important heritage of humanity?

Sopron

Ridingourbicyclesinthesoutherndirection,followingtheEuroVelo13 sign,wemoveawayfromSoprontowardsHarka.

Ridingthroughtheformerborderguardsettlement,weheadtowardsthe Austrian border, Neckenmarkt (Nyék). On the Austrian side, we are also greetedbythehillycountrysidedottedwithvineyardsandforestedareas. Crossing the Hungarian border again at Ólmod, then turning left at Horvátzsidány,westopforalongerrest.Approachingtheforestedpartof the village, we can find the Mária Peruška Shrine, which is located in a clearingneartheborderof4villages(Kőszeg,Horvátzsidány,Kiszsidány andPeresznye).

Legend

In 1809, Napoleon's soldiers were housed in the city. The soldiers loved the good Sopron wine so much that they often bought it with their own money in addition to the provisions. Soldiers had two types of money: the wartime white Franc and the more valuable old blue Franc. The scrupulous winegrowers only sold their best wines if they received the best money in exchange for them. When it was time to pay, the soldiers were told: "Blue Francs!" Since then, Sopron's famous red wine has been called kékfrankos (bluefranc). The only flaw in the story is that at that time, mostly white wine was produced in the area .

places and, if we want, we can taste the local flavours (e.g. pumpkin-poppycake,dödölle,etc.).

e of Mária Peruska

-old child went missing and was found - three days later - in this then, people have been coming here to give thanks and pray. What a e a child is! How many beautiful talents and possibilities the Creator n in every little human heart!

imarily not raised by words, but by the character of his parents. What like radiates into the child. The most fundamental thing in a parent's cts their children is the love of the two parents for each other, their It defines the basic atmosphere of a home. This is a child's first f the world and life. If the child sees that things can be said, the other rstands, even if something goes wrong it is not a tragedy, it can be an be smiled upon, if he sees that his parents are happy, then the pens up. He feels that the world is beautiful and it is worth living. If a experience that it is in vain to say anything, the other one does not tand it, everyone here has huge convulsions, everything is swept rpet, the parents are unhappy, then the child also becomes convulsed An old saying, but very true: A father loves his children best when he hildren's mother, and a mother loves her children best when she hildren's father.

What radiates from your being towards your children, those entrusted to you? Nervousness, confusion, bitterness? Or peace and goodwill, a cheerful and open heart?

Horvátzsidány

Kőszeg-Szombathely

Ourjourneyisslowlycomingtoanend.Walkingthroughthetranquil, quiet streets of Kőszeg, we find the footprints of St. Martin, where, according to legend, he came when there was a disaster, and he appeared there to the give aid of the townspeople. Leaving for Saint Martin's birthplace in Szombathely, a small adventure awaits us throughthevineyardsandforest.Thelaststoryofthosesevendays,is perhaps the most important part of our trip. From the Church of Calvary to the Church of St. Martin, we are guided by the yellow signpostsoftheViaSanctiMartiniroad,fromearlyChristiantraditions throughtheimportanteventsofMartin'slifetoworksofarthonouring theSaint.

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Legend“It is said that a horseman of great stature and imposing appearance appeared to rush out of the castle with shining weapons, bringing with him many soldiers to help the struggling townspeople. This created such unusual fear and terror within the Turks that they retreated from the walls in a headlong run. Many of the townspeople saw it in the same way, and explained that their patron saint, St. Martin, appeared at the right moment to bring help to the besieged and to restore his courage." (Miklós Istvánffy)

ItisworthstartingthedayinMainSquare(Főtér),thecentreof community life, where the terraces of cafes and restaurants provideanexcellentplaceforagoodbreakfast.Ourattentionis drawntothechurchwithits57metrehightower,thisistheparish churchoftheHeartofJesus,builtin1894.Similartotheexternal appearanceofthechurch,itisaccompaniedbyaharmoniousneoGothic interior. The medieval and baroque houses give the city centre its extraordinary atmosphere, Jurisics Square, the Castle, churches and museums take us back to the time of the former freeroyalcityofKőszeg.

Followingtheroute,wearriveatthesmallpark,atthefootprints of St. Martin. According to the legend, St. Martin appeared here andrushedtohelpthetownspeople:DuringtheTurkishsiegein 1532, the defenders of the castle were helped by St. Martin appearingonhishorseinadditiontotheirheroicdetermination.

Footprint of Saint Martin

Miklós Jurisics was fighting, defending the castle with barely 50 soldiers and approx.  700 peasants. He knew that he could not win, he only wanted to slow down the Turkish army that was trying to reach Vienna. This is what the defenders decided to do, even at the cost of their lives if necessary. Hungaryand Croatia, which fought together with us - was the shield of Christianity for centuries. With blood, life sacrifice, courage and tears, she protected her children and women, she protected life, faith, the treasures of the mother tongue and motherland.

We can still be the shield of Christianity today. Today, a peculiar flood is attacking the values of God, the family, the nation, the motherland and the communities, this fivefold, natural, life-giving root system. We must build arks in this flood. Every good family full of love, loyalty and faith is such a Noah's ark. Noah's ark is every good school where bad language is not yet fashionable, laziness and pretentiousness, stupidity and immorality are not fashionable. Build arks as Miklós Jurisics did!

Kőszeg

Spiritual Provision

At 11 o'clock we can hear the sound of the bells, which breaks the silence of the streets of Kőszeg everyday.

It keeps a memory! But what is it?

We leave Kőszeg on a bicycle path, in the direction of Kőszegfalva, the beautiful natural environment and view of Lake Abért welcomes us. Ridingsouth,throughvillages,wearriveatLuckácsháza.Ourpathleads through a cozy vineyard hill to the Csömöte lookout, where a stone compassshowswheretogonext.

JustbeforewearrivetoSzombathely,inGyöngyösfalu,therehasalways beenachurchdedicatedtoSt.Martin.Today'schurch,rebuiltin1905,is beautiful inside and out, and there are benches nearby where you can haveashortrest.Itpreservesthestonecarvingsofthechurchbuiltinthe 1400s, which formed the border of two settlements with engineering precision.ItcreatedthespecialsituationthatineveryMasstheepistlewas saidtothefaithfulinNagypösandthegospelinKispös.

ThefigureofSt.Martincanbefoundbothonthealtarpieceandonthe glass windows. From here, we will soon arrive at the destination of our p

Thisisthelaststoryofthesevendays,perhapsthemostimportant partofourtrip.Duringourshorttrip,wetravelbackintime,backto 316,whenthecitywascalledSavaria,whichwaspartoftheRoman provinceofPannonia.FromtheChurchofCalvarytotheChurchof St.Martin,weareguidedbytheyellowsignpostsoftheViaSancti Martiniroad,fromearlyChristiantraditionsthroughtheimportant eventsofMartin'slifetoworksofarthonouringtheSaint.

InthecourtyardoftheSavariaMuseum,thelegendarygeesecrossourpath, wearenolongerbetrayedbytheircackling(theyarestonestatues),unlike Martin,whowasforcedtobowtothewillofthepeople,andhebecamethe bishopofTours.Inthecathedral,youcanfindthehermofthesaint,which keepsitsskullrelictothisday.

At the final stop of our pilgrimage, above the entrance to St. Martin's Church,wefindthefollowinginscription:"HicnatusestSt.Martinus"i.e." St.Martinwasbornhere."

The place of birth of Saint Martin

When Pope John Paul II visited Szombathely in 1991, he said that this place had been the "land of the saints". He meant the countless early Christian martyrs, of whom we only know the names of a few (such as St. Quirinus and St. Rutilus), who were sentenced to death by the governor here in Savaria, the capital of Pannonia prima. He was thinking of Saint Martin, who was born here, whose father was a soldier here. He thought of Saint Leonianus, who had also been born in Savaria and founded monasteries in Gaul, contributing decisively to the Christianization of Burgundy. But he was thinking of the saints of today, Cardinal Mindszenty who studied here, László Boldog Batthyány-Strattmann who lived nearby, who visited the city many times, and he thought of the martyr János Brenner beatified, who was born here, whose grandfather - Tóbiás Brenner - was the mayor of the city, who studied here as a junior student and then as a secondary grammar school student.

This is the genius loci, the spirit of the place here in Szombathely: this land is the land of saints. It belongs to people who have been blazing and shining, whose radiating presence is still being felt today.

We were born to be holy, good and generous people, too. A person will be happy if he succeeds in giving and making his life a gift. What is your big dream in life? Can you open your heart, as the saints did, to let in the beauty, light, and love of God, so that it will then overflow so that you can generously pass it on to others?

Szombathely

Calvary Martineum

Karmelita 1 street

Cathedral, Seminary, Bishop's Palace

Berzsenyi Dániel square 3

The site of the ancient theatre

Szent István park

Savaria Museum

Savaria square

Savária square

Kisfaludy Sándor 9 street

City tower location

Main square

Saint Martin church

Saint Martin square

SAINT MARTIN HISTORIC WALKING TRAIL Szombathely

Acknowledgements

Wethank HisExcellencyDr.JánosSzékely,Bishopof Szombathelyand TamásMolnár,ChaplainofBratislavafor theirhelpincompilingthespiritualguide totheroute.

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