Saint Ladislaus' Herma

Saint Ladislaus' Herma is a silver reliquary shaped as a bust, housed in the Gothic Héderváry Chapel of Győr Cathedral. It contains a fragment of skull and features an exposed opening at the crown that allows direct contact with the relic.

The reliquary was created under King Sigismund after a fire destroyed its wooden predecessor in 1406. It arrived in Győr in 1606 through Bishop Demeter Napragi and became a protective relic for the city thereafter.

The silver bust represents one of Hungary's most important religious objects, drawing pilgrims and believers to the chapel for centuries. It embodies the veneration of a king whose deeds and legacy shaped the nation's spiritual identity.

The reliquary is accessible daily during cathedral opening hours and located within a dedicated chapel inside the building. Visitors should expect tight spaces and dim lighting, as it sits within a historic interior setting.

Following a 1762 earthquake, the reliquary is carried annually in a procession through downtown Győr streets, an uncommon tradition that blends religious devotion with local custom. This celebration brings together residents and visitors in a living ritual that continues to mark the city's calendar.