Market Építő Zrt.’s ROM Vándor program has won another ICOMOS award

The 13th-century Varjaskér church ruin is located on the outskirts of Somogyszentpál, the remains of the former church of the Kér settlement during the Hungarian Conquest. The renovation of the ruin, which had been forgotten over the centuries, was initiated and implemented by Market Építő Zrt. as part of the ROM Wandering program in close cooperation with the Somogyszentpál Municipality.

The aim of the project is to was the unique display of the forgotten foundation walls of the former Árpád-era church, and the high-quality conservation and stabilization of the remaining brick facade. The works included the cleaning and conservation of the brickwork using a restoration method, preserving the sculptural silhouette of the building remains that fits into the landscape. In addition to preserving the natural, harmonious relationship between the poetic ruin and the landscape, the monument also received a small-scale contemporary addition. The Corten steel gate element attached to the brick wall stabilizes the medieval wall remains on the one hand, and indicates the location and scale of the original gate on the other. As part of the environmental works, the foundation walls of the former church and the area of ​​the cemetery were marked with unique grass-covered mounds. Information boards on the site also help visitors find their way. According to the ICOMOS Award Certificate, the Varjaskéri church ruin earned the recognition for its “thorough preparation, careful restoration, ingenious solution of static reinforcement, and special environmental transformation.”

“We are extremely proud that our ROM Wandering program has once again received an ICOMOS award. The Varjaskér church ruin project is an excellent example of how, with collaboration, expertise and dedication, a forgotten memory can be saved and given new life. With the ROM Wandering program – in which the voluntary work of our employees also plays a key role – we have not only saved special, centuries-old buildings, but we are also building communities and drawing attention to our national public treasures, the preservation of which is our shared responsibility. This recognition confirms our commitment to social responsibility, the protection of our built heritage and the creation of value,”

– said Sándor Scheer, founder and CEO of Market Építő Zrt.