Berkenye

The venue of the concert: Catholic Church (44 Kossuth utca)

Berkenye is situated at the foot of the eastern range of Börzsöny. According to a diploma from 1299, it was part of the property belonging to Nógrád Castle, owned by the diocese of Vác. During the Turkish occupation the village was destroyed and deserted. Due to its vast oak, beech and elm forests, the diocesan office decided to re-populate the village. In a contract by 1718, German families got permission and support to settle down in the village. Most of the present population, which is 650 people, is of German (Bavarian) origin and speak German; the whole village bears marks of the German style.

The Roman Catholic Church was built by the Vác bishop Christopher Migazzi, whose name and coat of arms can be seen on the façade. The title of the baroque church is “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”, the altarpiece of the same theme was painted by Kremser Schmidt in 1774. Three bells live in its 25-metre tower.