The school's history
1557 to the present day · Almost half a millennium of knowledge and community
1557
Founded
Original name
Reformed College of Târgu Mureș
Location
Târgu Mureș (Marosvásárhely), Transylvania
Today's building
Art Nouveau style, 1908–1909
Today
800+ students · 60+ teachers
Type
Hungarian-language theoretical high school
Nearly half a millennium in the service of knowledge
Bolyai Farkas Theoretical High School is one of the oldest and most renowned Hungarian-language educational institutions in Transylvania. Founded at the dawn of the Reformation, in 1557, the school has served knowledge for more than 460 years, educating the Hungarian youth of Transylvania and safeguarding the intellectual heritage left to us by some of the world's greatest mathematicians, scholars and public figures.
The history of the institution is inseparable from the history of Târgu Mureș (Marosvásárhely): for centuries it was the centre of the town's intellectual life, and it remains so today.
The history of the institution is inseparable from the history of Târgu Mureș (Marosvásárhely): for centuries it was the centre of the town's intellectual life, and it remains so today.
The founding (1557)
As the Reformation spread, the Transylvanian Diet allowed schools to be set up in the buildings of monasteries that had been left empty. In Târgu Mureș, the former Franciscan friary on the north-eastern side of the castle church became the home of the new school. Queen Isabella designated the building for the purposes of education.
Theology was taught to such a level that young men could go on from here to universities abroad or straight into the ministry.
Theology was taught to such a level that young men could go on from here to universities abroad or straight into the ministry.
The first rector: Laskai Csókás Péter
The school's earliest known rector was Laskai Csókás Péter, who spoke some ten languages and probably taught every subject on his own. His exceptional learning and knowledge established the school's reputation from the very beginning.
He is known for the Speculum exilii (1581) and for editing the Hungarian vocabulary of the eleven-language Calepinus dictionary (1585).
He is known for the Speculum exilii (1581) and for editing the Hungarian vocabulary of the eleven-language Calepinus dictionary (1585).
Gaining the rank of college (1718)
On 30 April 1718 the exiled section of the Sárospatak College, which had arrived in Târgu Mureș after long wanderings following its expulsion in 1671, merged with the school.
The merger was a blessing for both sides: the refugees from Sárospatak found a secure home, and the school gained the rank of college, which meant the right to provide higher education.
The merger was a blessing for both sides: the refugees from Sárospatak found a secure home, and the school gained the rank of college, which meant the right to provide higher education.
Teachers who shaped an era
Some of the finest minds of Transylvania taught within the school's walls: professors who shaped the face of Hungarian science and culture.
Bolyai Farkas
1804–1856 · Professor of mathematics, physics and chemistry
He taught at the institution for 47 years, until 1851. A world-famous mathematician, polymath and educator. His son, Bolyai János, learnt the foundations of mathematics here.
Baranyai Decsi Czimor János
1593–1601 · Rector, historian
The first collector of Hungarian proverbs: 5000+ Greek–Latin–Hungarian proverbs. An outstanding humanist scholar, he is among the most distinguished rectors of the school.
Köteles Sámuel
Late 18th century · Professor of philosophy
A professor of philosophy who passed on the ideas of the Enlightenment. A street in Târgu Mureș bears his name today.
Makfalvi Dósa Elek
1831–1848 · Professor at the Law Academy
The first doctor of law in Transylvania. Member of parliament in 1866. He established the teaching of law at the institution.
Szabó Sámuel
19th century · Natural philosophy and literature
A teacher of natural science and the history of Hungarian literature, he brought together scientific thinking and literary culture.
Koncz József
Late 19th century · Historian, librarian
He wrote the history of the college from 1556 to 1896. His work is the most important source on the institution's past.
A chronicle of the centuries
From the Reformation to the present day: the school's journey through storms, wars and changes of regime.
1557The age of the Reformation
The founding of the school
As the Reformation spreads, the Transylvanian Diet approves the founding of the school next to the castle church of Târgu Mureș, in the building of the former Franciscan friary. Queen Isabella designates the building. Laskai Csókás Péter becomes the first rector.
1593Humanism
The rectorship of Baranyai Decsi János
The humanist scholar and first collector of Hungarian proverbs takes over the running of the school. He collects and publishes more than 5000 Greek–Latin–Hungarian proverbs.
1600–1601Hardships
The devastation under Basta
The mercenaries of Giorgio Basta sack the castle and the school. The institution is forced to move to the neighbouring hill. Rebuilding takes years, but the spirit of the school remains unbroken.
1718The start of a golden age
Merger — the rank of college
On 30 April the exiled section of the Sárospatak College merges with the school. The merger brings the rank of college: the right to provide higher education. From now on the school of the capital of the Székely Land is one of the most distinguished institutions in the country.
1769The Enlightenment
The Târgu Mureș curriculum
The Târgu Mureș curriculum and instructions are drawn up, regulating the teaching at the higher schools of Transylvania. The school becomes a model educational institution for the region.
1802Building
The boarding house building
The building that houses the boarding house today is built: the oldest surviving building of the complex. It has served education in Târgu Mureș for more than two hundred years.
1804The Bolyai era
Bolyai Farkas arrives
In May 1804 Bolyai Farkas gives his inaugural address in the chair of mathematics, physics and chemistry. The institution's age of flourishing begins. The great polymath teaches here for 47 years, until he retires in 1851, and his son, Bolyai János, learns the foundations of science on the school's benches.
1833Language reform
Teaching in Hungarian
The higher sciences begin to be taught in Hungarian. Latin had been the language of teaching until then; the change serves the cause of Hungarian-language culture in Transylvania.
1848Revolution
In the shadow of the War of Independence
Teaching is suspended and the building is used as a hospital. The teacher Török János becomes a martyr of the struggle for independence: he is executed in 1854. A memorial column is erected in his honour in 1874. The school is one of the Transylvanian strongholds of the spirit of the revolution.
1908–1909Art Nouveau
The new main building
The beautiful Art Nouveau main building is built to the designs of the Budapest architect Baumgarten Sándor, constructed by the Târgu Mureș builder Csiszár Lajos: one of the first and finest Art Nouveau buildings in Târgu Mureș. The mayor Bernády György, the school's chief curator, supports the construction.
1948Nationalisation
The Education Reform
On 3 August the school is nationalised under the Education Reform and loses its denominational character. The head teacher Nagy Endre leads the institution for almost 20 years through the hard years of the war and the communist era.
1956–1957Taking the name
Taking the name of Bolyai Farkas
In 1956, on the 100th anniversary of Bolyai Farkas's death, the institution takes the name of its great teacher, on the initiative of Kozma Béla. On 8–9 September 1957 the school solemnly celebrates its 400 years. Statues of the Bolyais are unveiled.
2005Renewal
Hungarian-language teaching only
From the 2005–2006 school year the school once again works as an institution teaching only in Hungarian. It returns to its roots: teaching in the mother tongue and cherishing the Hungarian cultural heritage are once again the institution's core mission.
2018–2022Renovation
Complete renewal
The building complex undergoes a renovation of some four and a half years costing eight million euros, renewed from the foundations to the roof. On 31 October 2022, Reformation Day, the renovated building complex of the Bolyai Farkas High School and the Reformed College is handed over. Its Art Nouveau beauty shines in its former glory.
TodayTowards the future
800+ students, 60+ teachers
It has served knowledge and the community for nearly 470 years. With a sciences (60%) and a humanities (40%) track, it is one of the most distinguished Hungarian-language high schools in the country. The Bolyai spirit lives on today: knowledge, perseverance, rigour and openness.
Famous students and patrons
Scholars, physicians, poets and politicians set out from the school's benches and wrote their names into the history of Transylvania and Hungary.
Bolyai János
1802–1860
Mathematician, creator of non-Euclidean geometry
The father of absolute geometry: his 29-page mathematical masterpiece, the Appendix, was printed at the college's printing press. One of the most important Hungarian figures in the history of mathematics. He laid the foundations of his world fame in his father's classrooms.
Pápai Páriz Ferenc
1649–1716
Physician, scholar, teacher
Teacher of Greek, philosophy and natural philosophy at the college, later court physician to Prince Mihály Apafi I. An outstanding figure who served his community by bringing science and education together.
Bernády György
1864–1938
Mayor of Târgu Mureș, chief curator of the school
The town's legendary mayor, who used his political standing to protect the school and supported the construction of the Art Nouveau building of 1908–1909. The development of the school and of the town is inseparable from his name.
Kibédi Mátyus István
1725–1798
Physician, patron
Chief physician of the Küküllő and Maros Seats, who left a library of 912 volumes and a printing press to the institution, laying the foundation of the college's intellectual wealth for the decades to come.
Aranka György
1737–1817
Writer, founder of the Hungarian Language Cultivation Society
The founder of the Transylvanian Hungarian Language Cultivation Society (Erdélyi Magyar Nyelvmívelő Társaság), who devoted his life to cherishing the Hungarian language and literature. His literary work took shape in the intellectual milieu of the college in Târgu Mureș.
Vályi Gyula
1855–1913
Professor of mathematics
Professor of mathematics at the university of Cluj (Kolozsvár), who carried on the Bolyai tradition, passing on the mathematical legacy of the Bolyais with the knowledge he had gained at the college in Târgu Mureș.
The Art Nouveau main building
In 1908–1909 the school's Art Nouveau main building was built, commissioned by the Reformed Church District and funded by public donations. It was designed by the Budapest architect Baumgarten Sándor, and the construction was carried out by the Târgu Mureș architect and builder Csiszár Lajos.
The building is one of the first and finest Art Nouveau works in Târgu Mureș: a peak of Hungarian architecture in Transylvania, which can rightly stand alongside the town's world-famous Palace of Culture.
The mayor Bernády György, the school's chief curator, used his political standing to secure the conditions for the construction and protected the institution from the pressures of the time.
Renovation: 2018–2022
Complete renewal
The building complex has been renewed from the foundations to the roof: its Art Nouveau beauty shines in its former glory.
~8 million euros
The investment, made with the support of the Hungarian state, took four and a half years.
31 October 2022
The building complex was handed over on Reformation Day: a fitting date for an institution with Reformed roots.
“Knowledge is the only treasure that may be squandered with impunity for any length of time.”
Bolyai Farkas · Teacher at the Reformed College of Târgu Mureș, 1804–1856
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The school today
A heritage of nearly half a millennium, modern education: we look back on the past with pride and to the future with confidence.
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years of knowledge and tradition
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students study at the school
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teachers teach at the school
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ratio of the sciences and humanities tracks
Tracks
- Mathematics and computer science (intensive)
- Natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics)
- Social sciences
- Philology (Hungarian, foreign languages)
Our values
- Knowledge — the intellectual heritage of the Bolyais
- Perseverance — the lesson of 470 years of storms
- Rigour — the tradition of mathematical thinking
- Openness — the Transylvanian spirit that turns towards the world
Get to know the school's namesake
The life, work and intellectual legacy of Bolyai Farkas: the polymath who devoted 47 years to the students of the school.