The minaret of Eger is a remain of the 91-year Turkish occupation of the town. The tower was made of red sandstone, and it is fourteen-sided. It was built shortly after the Turks' victory in 1596.
After Eger was recaptured in 1687 by imperial forces, people of the town tried to demolish the tower with 400 bullocks. It seemed tough enough to resist this euphoric reveal of sudden freedom.
The tower & the jami of which part it was became Christian church after the retaking of Eger.
Saint Joseph Church opened a hospital here
in the 18th century.
Throughout the ages of history lightnings stroke the tower more & more times, and its condition got worse & worse. The top of the building collapsed in the 19th century. We probably could not visit the building today unless Archbishop Pyrker János László would have ordered to cover the top of the ramshackle tower. It was covered with sheet metal.
The jami was pulled down in 1841 to give
place for a real Christian church, which is in
quite bad condition today behind the minaret.
PAGE TWO OF THE ARTICLE >>
