The exhibition presents the life of Count Ferenc Zichy (1701-1783), the most significant Baroque bishop of Győr, and his 40-year high priestly work (1743-1783) and his time. Zichy was a real baroque church prince who spared no expense and created a residence worthy of his rank: he is responsible for the interior design of the bishop's castle and the cathedral in its present form, on which he employed the most important artists of his time, such as F. A. Maulbertsch, J. G. Mollinarolo, M. Hefele. In addition to this, the bishop's generosity in the city and diocese is also advertised by numerous churches, educational institutions, and valuable objects of worship.
Music played an important role in the life of the episcopal court, Zichy himself was a skilled music connoisseur and employed the greatest figure of Hungarian Baroque music, Benedek Istvánffy, as the conductor of the cathedral, who composed many works for the bishop.
Bishop Zichy also reorganized the life of the Diocese of Győr, with his measures he restored the discipline of the lower priesthood and deepened his spiritual life. In Zichy's religious life, his veneration of Mary and the cult of Hungarian holy kings played an important role. The cathedral made the blood-sweating icon of Mary in a magnificent altar, which is still the destination of farewell pilgrims. And on the day of St. Ladislaus, the holy king ordered a procession with his herma holding the skull relic, which is still alive today.
