Keszthely - Franciscan Priory

In 1386 the Franciscans built a single-aisled, groin-vaulted church on FO tér; in 1550 a priory was added on the north side. During the Turkish occupation it was converted to a fortress and linked with Lake Balaton by a canal so that boats could sail right up to it. The Turks besieged the fortified church but were unable to take it. The Neo-Gothic tower on the front was added in 1878. In 1896 the Baroque furnishings were removed to reveal the original Gothic. During the restoration work some fragments of frescos of remarkable quality were uncovered; these show the influence of late 14th C Italian painting. The coat-of-arms of the architect István Lackffy adorn the keystone of the choir ceiling; his tomb is also in the choir.