With its austerity and architectural simplicity, the Reception Building's primary function is to prepare the visitors of Pannonhalma for an encounter with the monastery and a fifteen-hundred-year-old way of life. It is basically a "gate before the gate". And due to the ever-growing distance that separates the man of today from his own history, the building speaks both the language of the 21st century tourist and that of the monastic community. It is not so much its structure, but rather its spirituality that prepares our visitors for encountering the monastery.
Every guided tour starts with the viewing of a fifteen-minute film, which provides basic information for the visitors about the life of the monastic community. The guests then take a new route through the bridge over the road, under the trees and enter the monastery with their guide.
In the basement of the building washrooms and other facilities can be found, on the ground floor are the information and cash desks, on the first floor a souvenir shop and a meeting room are located, and on the second floor the projecting room can be visited. The bridge connects this very floor with the new tourist route. From the top terrace there is a wonderful view of the surrounding hills and the eastern wing of the monastery. Inside the building an elevator is provided for those in need.
The Reception building was commissioned by the Archabbey of Pannonhalma.
Architects: György Skardelli and Ferenc Lázár
Interior designers: Vilmos Plachtovics and Gábor Márkus
