Sárospatak - Reformed College

(Local Name: Református Kollégium) Outside of the medieval town, on the Rákóczi út, stands the building of the Reformed College built between 1806-22, now a school. This 16th C educational institution begun by Prince Péter Perényi developed in the 17th C through the engagement of Zsuzsanna Lórántffy, wife of the Transylvanian Prince György Rákóczi, to become one of the leading Calvinist colleges in Hungary. From 1650 to 1654 the humanist and pedagogue Johann Amos Comenius from Moravia (1592 to 1670) was a professor at the college. The jewel of the classical building is the two-story library with a gallery designed by Mihály Pollack. The library contains over 2000 manuscripts and 200,000 books (guided tours only booked at the tourist office). A 7ha (42 acres) park with beautiful old trees, assorted flora and sculptures by the patrons and famous scholars surrounds the college. The two-story Late Baroque building in the courtyard (1771/72) houses a small museum which displays the scientific collection of the Reformed College and documents the life and works of Johann Amos Comenius, together with craft exhibits.