“LOST” HOUSE

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 February 1939, Page 4

“LOST” HOUSE

A HUNGARIAN MYSTERY The return of Kassa to Hungary has been followed by the discovery of Rakoczi’s Turkish house, which disappeared mysteriously from the museum before it could be reconstructed. During the restoration of a house in Kassa workmen found thirty iron cases in the cellar, containing parts of ceilings, plaster relief, wainscots, etc., which were identified as the lost parts of the wooden house, or houses, which Rakoczi inhabited when he finally settled down to exile in Tekirdag (Rodosto) in 1721).

The plan of restoring the house in its original form in Kassa has been abandoned owing to the condition of the material, and it is probable that the remains may be built into the Rakoczi church in Budapest. Rakoczi was a fervent Catholic and had a small chapel among the little buildings which contained his diningroom. bedroom and study.

This chapel, which was connected with the. other rooms by a covered passage, has remained intact, and the Lord Mayor of Budapest hopes to arrange for its return from Rodosto to Hungary. The chapel stands untouched since Rakoczi’s death. The vaulted ceiling is decorated with blue and white cedar squares put up by Rakoczi himself and the picture of the Madonna over

the altar is also the work of the great Hungarian patriot. The carved candlesticks, however, on which Rakoczi spent much time and labour, are said to have been taken to Sofia by the Tsar Ferdinand as a souvenir.