TOURISM AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BEREHOVE OVER THE LAST FEW DECADES – THE ROLE OF HISTORIC CHURCHES

Abstract

Berehove, the former center of Bereg County, remains in the 21st century a cultural, intellectual, and religious hub of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia. The topicality of the subject stems from the fact that today the city’s identity-shaping force, as well as its cultural and tourism offerings, are significantly influenced by the institutions of three historical denominations – the Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, and Reformed communities. This study examines the activities of these communities, whose institutions, beyond their strictly religious functions, also fulfill important community-building, cultural, educational, social, and tourism-related roles. The aim of the research is to analyze the tourism-related aspects of the developments implemented by these communities, with particular emphasis on the current state of monument protection. The methodological background includes secondary research, reviewing relevant heritage protection legislation, registers, and publications presenting the city’s built heritage. The primary research was based on fieldwork and direct observation, supplemented by the author’s professional experience in the area under study. The research results indicate that the centers established in the past decade – such as the Pásztor Ferenc Community and Pilgrim House, the Elemér Ortutay Greek Catholic Center, and the institutions built around the Reformed Church of Berehove – have become essential pillars of identity preservation. Furthermore, their role in the city’s tourism landscape emerges on several levels: as architectural heritage assets, as elements of tourism infrastructure, and through various services (accommodation, museums, events, and other tourism-related offerings). The practical significance and applicability of the results lie in demonstrating that religious and cultural infrastructure not only supports the survival of the local community but also possesses considerable tourism potential, which may become one of the key drivers of Berehove’s future development. In conclusion, the development of religious and cultural infrastructure, alongside the preservation of built heritage assets, is also a guarantee for the long-term strengthening of tourism and the regional economy.