Cathedral 1945 Photo Album

The "Cathedral 1945" Photo Album was first posted up in August 06, 2010 into Picasa and has been view by 10,146 viewers around the world since this public posting. Google has just announced the removal of all Picasa Images and Albums later in 2016. I therefore have now saved all images, image data, and paragraph texts as they were created many years earlier, I will now rebuild this same content as Word Document pages in the months ahead. This content will now be held on a private server and these Albums will linked from my website - "Szombathely March 4, 1945 Project".

I thank you for your interest in this history over these many years, and I will work as diligently as I can in the months going forward to insure that these images and history will be available 24/7 in the years ahead. I will also try correct any errors in descriptions that may have come to light since the original post-up dates in all of my albums. I may also try to improve the quality of all photographs by using a cleaner version of the same image from my expanded collection from six years ago. Texts should remain the same but if significant new information is now available, I will update those paragraphs as needed. The Author. (3-22-2016)

In the photograph above you can see the second (right column) with small Pulpit and the third at the right in the background. (the Sanctuary is to the left.) The debris pile sloping downward would indicate that the remaining roofing structure above had remained intact, and this matches exterior images showing the missing of roofing structure to the second column line on the right.

The above image was taken from the Nave, Left Isle next to the South wall looking West into the Sanctuary. The center Isle lies to the right under the heavy roofing beams. This photograph was taken from about the first or second column (of the south isle) of the Nave area and the center isle is to your right. The railing in the distance is at the top step leading into the Sanctuary area. Remains of the "Gloria" above the window and wall area below is now void of its magnificent painting by Maulbertsch.

The Sanctuary is to the left. The image was taken from an area near the South Transept where there is an entrance door to the outside. The view is looking across the Crossing to the two columns sharing one plinth on the North side of the Nave. Blast damage was from the forward bomb that landed in the area of the crossing at the Nave. See the floor plan in my newest posting under The Final Chapter. Surviving Pews in the Chapel that remain to this date, are of the same design as are now seen broken in the Nave image just above.

The above photograph has been well published in the Media over the years. Looking to the East we see the tops of the three Entry Doors. Just above, the Organ Loft where the remains of the old organ case and it's destroyed pipes hanging in disarray and the marble railing having been smashed into small pieces now has vanished.

The wall surrounding the single large window opening shows a major crack and was displaced by 46cm /18 inches and the ledge just above the columns was destroyed.

The above photograph is rarely seen of the East Wall from the Floor of The Nave to the roof area. A great pile of debris still remains but this debris pile is now much finer than the structural beams and the bomb debris in the previous image. Workmen have removed the debris pile in the organ loft and railing above the East Entry Doors, and if there was any structural material that was loose or questionable above, it was broken loose to avoid hitting the workmen being hurt or killed below.

In a rarely seen image of the roofing structure just forward of the Crossing, the remaining truss framing and roof lathing can be seen, however all of the roof tiles have been removed. The date of this image unknown but would have been much later than March 4, 1945.

A large section of the roofing and interior ceilings - now missing, allows for a view of the North Bell Tower from within. The Bell Tower was redefined using Photoshop.

Looking from the second floor of the building across the street. (Image often used by newspapers of that day.)

The Tympanum showing the crack from outside. (Crack enhancement has been made.)

Door openings were filled in with boards to prevent theft and for safety. The enlargement of the north portico of the three is shown above.

Mounds of debris were starting to form from the demolition. going on in the ceiling and roof areas above the crossing. The "Gloria" above the high altar although damaged, remains intact with the sun now shining on it through a hole in the roof and frescoed ceiling area of the Sanctuary.

The Pulpit, now badly damaged and burned, remains and the double Columns on their Plinth (or base at the left edge), is void of its stucco coatings, revealing the core construction of brick work necessary for the construction of visual effects when the work was completed. In 1947, there were still columns, plinths and other surfaces without stucco finishes at the time of the Rededication in 1947.

The above photograph was taken shortly after the bombing. Note the pot marks in the wall and columns probably caused by the most forward bomb's casing in the Nave. The Faux-Marble covering of the brick formed columns has been destroyed and the effect of the "bombs exploding pressure" is both down-ward and horizontal. The wall area above the entrance to the Sacristy (left) also shows damage from the hot casing fragments of this same forward bomb. The Plinths (bases) were all heavily damaged. The Pulpit, being smaller and offering less resistance to the pressure of the bomb's "blast force" survived intact, but some small ornamentation and the canopy fan are now missing.

A very early bomb photograph of the South wall of the sanctuary. Note the heavy timbers from the roofing and ceiling areas ill laying on the floor of the Crossing. The intensity of the bombs ast peeled the Faux-Marble covering of the brick columns behind the pulpit. The rooms at the second level (over the Vestry) held the original Archives whichwere moved out of the cathedral after the mbing. Most of the cathedral records and history did survive, but there were some losses.

It was here that a woman who had come to Szombathely to visit and retrieve her wounded husband this same day. She had remained after the service to pray for him and to wait for her Brother-in-law (a Priest assigned to the cathedral), who was to help her with the discharge of her husband from the local hospital. She was found alive pinned under the rubble of broken pews, roofing beams, roof tiles, and large quantity of ceiling debris from above. Her cries for help were heard by the first persons who had enter the cathedral and she survived with minor cuts and abrasions. The pulpit was never rebuilt. Read the family "Memoir" of this very moment.

This photograph taken some time later than the previous image above. The rubble on the ground being small probably indicates that the demolition of the ceiling area is now well underway as the large framing of the roof structure had now been completed. Blast lines on the plinths (bases) and columns reveal the brick core construction of the cathedral and the more central explosion of a bombs in the Nave area. Small black holes in this and previous images would have been from the bombs casing flying outward at the moment of explosion. Soft reflective lighting, probably is a afternoon exposure or perhaps a cloudy day, allows for more detailed observation of the interior damage.

The photo was probably taken early in the demolition phase. There was only a small hole in the roofing tiles and now there is much daylight in the attic area. Ropes now hang for pulling up material and boards into the attic area for the creation of scaffolding to be used by the workmen. Note also the shrapnel and burn damage to the remaining surfaces. The Sanctuary Fresco is at the very top of this image with the damaged Gloria just below.

Ceiling over the Sanctuary and the Gloria.

Ceiling Damage

The above image in this album has been has been around for many years in my computer. It was taken well after the bombing and never used in publications as is known to date here. To understand and to reveal its information now, I have rotated the image to place the perspective of the image in a proper axis aligned with the Nave of the cathedral on the left with its roof structure above. The ceiling Fresco at the Crossing is at the right.

Fragment and burn damage to the vault at the left is quite noticeable and continues on to the crossing fresco's right side. The left side of the fresco being higher, was protected by the arch at left, and fragments continued hitting the right side of the painting being lower. The bomb explosion most forward in the Nave, was probably the culprit as its fragments and material flew out and away at the moment of detonation in all directions. This is also supported by the fragment damage in both of the Transept areas that remain today as "scars" from this very moment that were left visible, as a reminder of this moment in history so many years ago.

The image was rotated, and placed on a black background. Also noticeable is sunlight reflecting on opposite corners of the crossing coming from the ceiling Window high in the Southside wall of the Sanctuary.

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Double Doors to the Sacristy have been totally destroyed.

The Entry Doors to the Sacristy in the south Transept have been blown off their hinges. In the foreground a broken PrieDieux in the sunlight streaming through the roof.

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and the Reconstruction begins!

Az 1945 évi március 4-i angolszász légitámadás alkalmából megrongálódott szombathelyi székesegyház sérüléseinek, valamint az okvetlenül szükséges helyreállitási munkálatok

MŰSZAKI LEIRÁSA.

A folyó évi március 4-én,vasárnap délben lezajlott légitámadás alkalmából a székesegyház 2-3 akna telitalálatot kapott. Az elsõ akna az épület tetõzetén robbant, míg a vele együtt, vagy közvetlenül utána hullók már a templom belsõ terében végezték el romboló munkájukat. Az okozott károkat az alábbi felsorolás részletezi:

1./ A tetõzet a hosszhajó dongaboltozata felett teljesen megsemisült és a kereszthajók, a szentély, valamint as oldalkápolnák felett is erõsen megrongálódott. A kár az egész épületre átszámitva

tetõszékben / ács-szerkezetek /	40%
lécezésben	60%
bádogosmunkában	100%
cserepezésben	100%

2./ A hosszhajó dongaboltozata, a szentély-kupola, a sekrestyék, valamint a Madonna kápolna feletti irattári és oratorium helységek öt csehsüveg boltozata teljesen elpusztult, a kereszthajó nagy kupolája, valamint a fõoltár feletti félkupola pedig oly erõsen megrongálódott, hogy részbeni lebontásuk okvetlenül szükséges. Elpusztult a kórust tartó három csehsüveg boltozat is.

3./ A fõhomlokzatot a légnyomás elõre nyomta, a fal megrepedezett, szobordiszei ledõltek. A homlokzatot lezáró tympanon elõredölése 46 cm. Lebontása okvetlenül szükséges.

4./ A tornyok falai megrepedeztek, a belsõ elválasztó falak és boltozatok részben leszakadtak, mindkét toronysisakot teljesen ujra kell bádogozni. A falak statikai vizsgálata folyamatban van.

5./ A templom belsõ terében az összes oltárok, butorok /padok, gyóntatószékek, orgona, stb/, falfestmények teljesen megsemmisültek, Maulbertsch és Dorffmaister oltárképei ronggyá tépve részben elõkerültek a romokból. A belsõ párkányzat a fõha- jóban teljesen elpusztult, a templom többi részében kb. 20% ra tehetõ a rongálódása.

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6./ A falak és oszlopok műmárvány boritása teljesen megsemmisült, az eredeti márvány épitményekben a kár kb. 50%-os.

7./ Az összes ajtók és kapuk elpusztultak az ablakok üvegezése ugyanugy, csupán az ablakszerkezeteknek 50 %-a maradt épségben.

Mindazon munkák melyek, szükségesek ahoz(sic.), hogy a székesegyház fennálló részei a téli idõjárás viszontagságaitól meg legyenek védve és további romlások ne következzenek be, a következõk:

1./ A tetõszerkezetet hordó, illetve lezáró falazatok helyreállitása, a hulló kövek eltávolitása, illetõleg megerõsitése, a toronyszerkezetek megrongált részeinek kijavitása és a tornyok ujból való bádogozása.

2./ A fõhomlokzatnak gondos felmérés utáni lebontása és ujra felépitése.

3./ A fõhajó feletti tetõszerkezet pótlása, az egész tetõzeten a lécezés helyreállitása és az egész tetõfelület kettõs cserépfedése.

4./ A templom belsõ terében a meglazult és lezuhanással fenyegetõ diszitmények eltávolitása. A megrongált ablakokon a helyreállitáshoz szükséges asztalos, lakatos és üveges munkák elvégzése, valamint a hiányzó ajtók részben végleges, részben ideiglenes pótlása.

5./ A kupolaboltozatok, a fõhajó dongaboltozatának és a csehsüvegboltozatoknak ujrafalazása, illetõleg kijavitása. Ezen 1.-5. pontok alatt felsorolt feltétlenül szükséges helyreállitási munkálatok elvégzése az érvényben lévõ munkabérek és anyagárak mellett elõreláthatóan 15-20 millió pengõbe fognak kerülni.

Szombathely, 1945. augusztus 20.

     ifj. Hell Géza

     A szombathelyi székesegyház helyreállitási munkálatainak ellenõrzõ szakértõje.

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This transcribed copy is from the original document held by the Bishop’s Archives, Szombathely, Hu. I wish to thank the staff there, for their kind assistance and permission to photograph this item. (2008)

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As a result of the aerial bombardment and destruction of the Cathedral of Szombathely by the Allies on March 4, 1945, the following is a description of the most essential and immediate repairs needed:

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

On Sunday noon of March 4th of the current year, the Cathedral suffered 2-3 complete hits by mortar shells: (500 lb. RDX Bombs). The first exploded on top of the roof, while the others, at the same time or shortly thereafter, have caused their destructive work on the interior of the church. The details of the resulting damage are itemized below.

1. The roof framing over the barrel-vault (Nave ceiling) above the main longitudinal Nave was complete destroyed, and the main altar (Sanctuary Altar), as well as the six side-Chapels also suffered substantial damage. The loss to the whole building is listed below in percentage terms:

Roof framing (wood trusses)	40%
(Roof) lathing	60%
Sheet metal work	100%
Roof tile work	100%

2. The main longitudinal Nave’s barrel vaulting, the Sanctuary cupola, the Sacristies, as well as the five Bohemian glass vaulting’s above the Archives and Oratory rooms above the Madonna Chapel were also completely destroyed. The great dome over the Transept (or Crossing), as well as the half-dome above the High Altar, was so extensively damaged that their partial demolition is absolutely essential. (the Gloria was heavily damaged but remained in place). The three Bohemian glass cap supports of the choir were also destroyed.

3. The main facade (East wall) was pushed forward by the blast, the wall cracked, the ornamental statues fell down. The crowning Tympanum, moved forward approximately 46 cm. (about 18 inches). It definitely needs to be demolished.

4. The walls of the (bell) towers have cracked, the interior separation walls and vaulting were partially torn down. The metal roofing of both towers has to be replaced. The structural evaluation of the walls is (now) in progress.

5. In the interior of the church, all the altars, furniture (pews, confessionals, organ etc.) and the wall paintings were completely destroyed. Torn pieces of the Altar Paintings by Maulbertsch and Dorffmeister have been found in the rubble. (190+ pieces of the Maulbertsch Altar Painting were retrieved, carefully saved, and a partial restoration of this middle section of the painting has now been completed in Budapest and this “Restoration Story” will come to this website about March 4, 2017*). The interior Entablature (ceiling moldings) of the central Nave was completely destroyed. In the rest of the church the destruction can be put at about 20%.

6. The faux marble facings of the interior walls, columns, and bases were completely destroyed. The damage to the interior marble structures (railings, casings, trims and other features or furnishings) is about 50%.

7. All the doors and gates were destroyed, as well as the glazing of the windows. Only about 50% of the window frames remained intact.

The following work projects are needed in order to protect the remaining parts of the Cathedral from the adversities of the winter weather, and to prevent further damage or loss (by theft).

1. The renovation of the roof’s supporting and ending walls, the removal or reinforcement of the falling stonework, the restoration of the damaged portion of the towers, and the replacement of their sheet metal roofs.

2. The demolition and rebuilding of the main facade, after careful surveying.

3. The replacement of the roof structure above the main Nave, replacement of the roof lathing, and the double tileing of the complete roof.

4. The removal of the dangerously loosened decorations of the entire interior of the church. Completion of the needed carpentry, locksmith, and glazing work for the damaged windows, as well as the temporary or final replacement of the missing doors.

5. The rebuilding or repairing of the marble vaults, the cradle vaults over the longitudinal Nave, and the Bohemian glass caps.

The cost of the work on the five items listed above, taking into account current wages and materials, should be budgeted at approximately 15-20 million Pengő.

Szombathely, August 20, 1945

     ifj. Hell Geza

     By the Technical Inspector of the the renovation work at the Cathedral of Szombathely (Hungary)

English Translation by: Istvan Csejtey, A.I.A., Medford, Mass. USA

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*Attention: Translators are always welcomed, such as the photo pages above. If you can volunteer with English/Hungarian translations, please contact us at: march4_1945project@earthlink.net