Ruins of the Premontre monastery church, Zsámbék
The monastery church, built sometime between 1220 and 1235, is a stunning monument of Hungarian medieval architecture. Inspired by French architecture, the church shows elements of late Romanesque and early Gothic styles. It was rebuilt in Gothic style in 1475 but after the Siege of Buda in 1541 it was badly damaged. It was rebuilt again in 1754 but an earthquake in 1763 destroyed a large part of the building, its stones were used for other constructions in the settlement. It has been deserted ever since.
The ruins were first restored in 1889 under the guidance of István Möller but as a modern approach in its time the church was not rebuilt, instead it was conserved as a ruin.
Only fragments of the frescoes and the original carvings remain today. In the main nave, remains of an 11th century church were found. Next to the church ruins, the remains of the cloister building can be seen.