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Avas Church and Bell Tower

The Avas Bell Tower, known for its chimes marking the passing of time since 1941, is one of Miskolc’s most recognizable symbols.

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The Avas Bell Tower, known for its chimes marking the passing of time since 1941, is one of Miskolc’s most recognizable symbols. The history of the tower dates back to 1557, and it remains the city’s only Renaissance monument to have survived the centuries unscathed. Standing next to the Avas Protestant Church, its renovations are marked by dates on the roof, with the latest restoration completed in 2020.


The church’s over 12-meter-high roof structure is a masterpiece of carpentry, built without a single nail. Inside, there is an ancient stall, possibly from the DiósgyÅ‘r Castle, and a pulpit canopy decorated with a pelican symbolizing Jesus. One organ, crafted by the renowned Angster company, is located on the gallery above the entrance, while another was built in the early 2000s. Although rarely played together, these organs offer a magnificent musical experience.

The cemetery surrounding the church is the city’s oldest graveyard, where notable local and religious figures, such as the Latabár family and Bertalan Szemere, are buried. Memorial plaques honor Protestant pastors sentenced to galley slavery in the 1600s. The cemetery has multiple entrances, one of which is accessible through the Avas wine cellars.

The gravestone inscriptions offer a journey through time, and the cemetery’s serene silence conveys a sense of dignified peace on the hillside above the city. The Avas Church and Bell Tower symbolize both the past and present of Miskolc and remain iconic elements of the city’s historical and cultural heritage.


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