National
Development Agency

The traveller will find here an exhibition of the relics of the Pauline Order and a lapidarium, a meditation centre and library for those seeking spiritual harmony, and the organisers will please the arts lovers with exhibitions and concerts. The monastery was renovated with a 460 million HUF EEA and Norwegian Financing Mechanism grant.
The Carmelite Monastery of Sopronbánfalva was an important place of worship that has suffered many vicissitudes. The spiritual leader of Blessed Giselle was a hermit in the monastery, then a chapel was founded in her honour in the romantic valley of the Bánfalva creek. The city of Sopron later built a chapel in the place that was decisive in the life of the community but they were not able to protect it from the invading Turks. The church and monastery renovated by the Pauline monks was later visited by several rulers. Finally, Joseph II dissolved the order and the building was only taken over in the 19th century by the Carmelite nuns. When the nuns also left the building it was used for secular purposes and slowly fell into decay.

But the new owner immediately saw the possibilities in the puritan building located in a beautiful valley, and decided to apply for grants to restore its old glory and open it to the public with new and useful functions.
Since it would have been rather difficult to use the building for classical tourism purposes, the investor decided to give the monastery a function which harmonises with the atmosphere and history of the building, but which also has an important social, cultural and tourism role. 

Three directions were outlined in the application and if they are realised, the one-time place of worship will address broad social groups, with diverse helping activities.
The patronage of contemporary Hungarian artists was a significant motivating force; the idea is to give a place to young artists where they can fully devote themselves to their creative activities. The wonderful natural environment and the building interior that retains its magnificent simplicity even after the renovation, are proving to be the ideal place. In addition to the appropriate environment and financial background, the investor can also count on the professional help and support of the KOGART Foundation. The renewed building not only provides excellent conditions for the young artists for dedicated and inspired creative work, but also the possibility to display their works inside the walls of the former monastery.

The other aspect is associated with the negative effects of our accelerated world. The investors dreamed of a meditation centre here where stressed and overwrought people can again find harmony of spirit with the help of a spiritual guide. The centre hallmarked by the name of Péter Müller aspires to restore and improve the emotional balance of the participants and heal their body, mind and soul alike. Expert instructors using yoga, meditation and oriental healing methods, teach breathing, relaxation and personality development techniques in an ideal environment to people who are suffering exhaustion or are struggling to cope with problems. 

The building also houses a permanent exhibition of the historic relics of the Pauline Order, and it is planned to open a lapidarium later, while those who love chamber music will enjoy an array of concerts inside the centuries-old walls. 

Under the project the entire building, which is under monument protection, underwent renovation both inside and outside. In the former monastery twenty-three ensuite rooms, two kitchens, a restaurant, three communal meditation areas, one conference/concert hall, an art room, an exhibition centre, a library, office and store rooms have been created. The stucco ornaments were renovated, the stone frames, the Baroque doors and the windows were replaced or renewed. The park surrounding the centre was also restored in Baroque style, true to the spirit of the place, and special attention was paid to preserving the old trees and the path that once led through the monastery. 

The project is expected to have significant impact on the tourism of Sopron, too. Besides its characteristic music and cultural image, the city offers a wide choice of wellness, medical and activity tourism to which the newly commissioned project will be an excellent addition.