About the sight:

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the main Greek-Catholic church in Uzhgorod and one of the most important and famous Christian sanctuaries in the city.

History:

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one of the best architectural ensembles of the city on the Uzh. Today it is Uzhgorod architectural landmark. Its story started back in the 18th century. At that time the ruler of the city Janosh the Tenth Drugeth decided to move Jesuits from Slovakia to Uzhgorod. Jesuits were the monks of the Society of Jesus who were actively engaged in science, education and missionary activity. At his own expense Janosh Drugeth purchased a piece of land on the Castle Hill, relocated citizens who lived there and financed construction of the monastery complex. Its main building was the Jesuit Cathedral — at that time the only one in Ukraine. What did Janosh Drugeth want instead? He just asked the monks to pray for him and his descendants.

Times changed. In 1773 the Society of Jesus was canceled, according to the order of Maria Theresa of Austria. The former Jesuit Cathedral became the property of the Greek Catholic eparchy. Maria Theresa was known as a reformer of her time and mother of Queen Marie Antoinette of France, who was executed on the guillotine.

Since then the church building had been reconstructed and renovated and in 1877 it acquired its modern look. It is a unique piece of architecture with two towers and the largest and oldest chime-clock in Uzhgorod.

The church looks outstanding outside and inside. Paintings on the walls were created by the best Transcarpathian artists of the early 20th century. The majestic painting on the ceiling of the Cathedral Exaltation of the Holy Cross as well as well as six round frescoes were created by a famous Ukrainian artist of Transcarpathian artistic school Joseph Bokshay.

One of the church sacred places is its crypt. It is also a burial place of famous people. Even in the days of the Jesuits wealthy Catholics were buried in the dungeons, and later the crypt became the burial place of bishops of the eparchy.

In Soviet times Uzhgorod University library was situated here and now the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one of the main sacred buildings of the city.