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Country Guide: Hungary

Central Danubia
This region, surrounding Budapest, has been the scene of important events in the history of Hungary. Breathtaking natural scenery, historical and artistic treasures and thriving folklore are the main attractions of the area.

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Boating to the North along the Danube, we find ourselves at one of the finest places near Budapest, the Danube Bend. Here the river is forced between the hills and turns to the South. From the hilltops magnificent landscape unfolds itself before us. This beautiful land, the center of medieval Hungary, still has an abundance of historical artifacts and monuments.

Ethnic groups, who settled here during the centuries were able to maintain their traditions and enrich and enhance the Hungarian culture. During your journey do not spare your appetite. Make sure to taste the rich variety of German, Slavic and Serb specialities accompanied by rightly famous Hungarian wines.

Hungarian Tourism Rt.
Budapest and Central Danubian Regional Office
H-1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 11.
Phone: 479-0158, Fax: 479-0149
E-mail: rmipest@hungarytourism.hu

Visegrád
Visegrád is rich with natural and historic attractions. There are sites at three heights: the Main Street, the Solomon Tower and the Castle on the top of the hill. The latter offers a wonderful view of the Danube Bend.

The Palace of the great Renaissance ruler, King Mathias (1458-1490), was ornamented with red marble fountains. In this marvellous environment this huge two-story building was one of the most luxurious royal residences of its time. The Renaissance court of the palace, and the Hercules Fountain which streams wine on holidays were authentically reconstructed by archaeologists. Nearby the five-story Solomon Tower is among the oldest and most intact Romanesque dwelling towers of Central Europe. Battle scenes are re-enacted in its yard during summer.

Esztergom
Esztergom is the seat of the Roman Catholic Primate of Hungary, the Archbishop of Esztergom. The Cathedral is the largest church in the country. Rebuilt in the 19th century in Classical style, it has the largest altar-piece in the world painted on a single piece of canvas. The famous Bakócz Chapel was built of red marble at the beginning of the 16th century. The Cathedral Treasury holds the richest collection of Hungarian ecclesiastical treasures. The Romanesque Royal Palace with the royal oratory, the frescoed castle chapel and the rose-window are in the neighborhood of the Basilica. The Christian Museum is located in the Primate's Palace. Treasures of medieval Hungarian art and early Renaissance Italian paintings are preserved here.

Börzsöny Mountain
The romantic Börzsöny Mountain, with more than 335 springs and rapid streams, lies in the North of the region. In the Börzsöny Reserve Area, extinct volcanic peaks, precipitous valleys, gorges and amazing rock formations welcome the wanderer. From the Hegyes Top the whole Danube Bend can be seen. Szob, Márianosztra and Nagybörzsöny are the most visited places. The Börzsöny light railway transports visitors through pretty towns of the region, such as Verőce and Kismaros.

Szentendre
Szentendre, with its colorful houses, narrow alleys, and two- dozen museums, is the most frequently visited tourist center along the Danube. This Mediterranean-like town is the home of Serbs who fled from the Turks and settled here in the 14th-17th centuries. Seven church towers rise high in the sky. Four of them belong to the Orthodox Church. Icons, works of gold and silversmiths and other treasures are found in the Serb Orthodox Church Museum. The 13th-14th century Roman Catholic Parish Church stands on the Castle Hill, a sun-dial on its wall tells the time. For the tourist who is looking for nostalgia, there are: shops, restaurants, trade signs, the ancient buildings of the Main Square, and the house ornaments.

The Kovács Margit Museum is a tiny jewel-box. Its charming ceramic figures are visions of goodness, beauty and humanity.

The works of the most talented artistic family of 19th century Hungary, Károly Ferenczy, his wife and his children, can be seen in the Ferenczy Museum. The Gallery of Szentendre in the former 18th century Serb merchant house and the Gallery of the Artists' Colony exhibit the works of the town's contemporary artists. The Szabó Marzipan Museum offers fantasies made of marzipan, while the Dobos Confectionery Museum introduces visitors to the true Dobos Cake.

The ethnography of Pest County is shown in the House of Folk Art. Antiquities from the Roman town of Ulcisia Castra (1st to 4th centuries) can be seen in the Museum of Roman Stonework Remains. The Open-air Ethnographic Museum, (or Skanzen) is 3 km from the center of the town. It is the largest ethnographic collection in Hungary with 340 buildings in 10 sections. Folk monuments worth preserving are transported here from all over the country. Demonstrations of folk handicrafts are held at the weekends and "notable days" of Hungarian folk culture are celebrated.

Szentendre Island
The 31 km long Szentendre Island, with great hotels and recreation facilities, can be reached by ferry or over a bridge at Tahi. Of the four settlements on the island, Kisoroszi, with its golf-course, is the most frequently visited.

Pilis Mountain
Pilis Mountain is visited for its romantic landscapes. The gorge of the Dera Stream can be reached from Pilisszentkereszt, and the Moonlight [Holdvilág] Rill, a place of worship for ancient cults, from Pomáz. The lookout tower and the tourist museum of Dobogókő at an altitude of over 2200 feet, welcome visitors in every season. Its ski runs are popular in winter. Horseback riding is available in the area.

Zsámbék
The ruin of the Zsámbék basilica and monastery built in the 13th century is still an imposing sight. In summer, there are performances in the open-air theatre. The Turkish Fountain and the only Lamp Museum in the country are also worth a visit.

Ráckeve
Ráckeve is a favorite holiday area for anglers and water sportsmen. Its gorgeous Baroque palace serves today as a conference center. Details of interest in the country's only Gothic Orthodox Serb church include: the star vaulted ceiling, the Rococo icon screen and the medieval Byzantine frescos. The Árpád Museum focuses on the Danube water mills.

Százhalombatta
Százhalombatta was founded by the Romans. The Matrica Museum bears the Roman name of the town. Its collection spans 4000 years of history, from the Bronze Age to our own time. Of unique interest is the pre-historic open-air museum in Archaeological Park. Here visitors become time travelers making pots and jewels, and trying their weaving and spinning skills in Bronze and Iron Age homes. A multimedia show about Palaeolithic burial rites is presented in the 2700-year-old burial ground.

Vác
Vác is a one thousand year-old cathedral town. Konstantin Square is dominated by the imposing Classical building of the cathedral church. The Bishop's Palace, erected in the 18th century, and the Piarist Church and Monastery also deserve attention.

The country's only triumphal arch, was built here for the visit of the Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa in 1764. At the Baroque style Március 15 Square, all the buildings are protected monuments. The Church of the White Company was named after the Dominicans dressed in white tunics. Its altar is an ornate Rococo masterpiece. In its crypt there is a European rarity, the display presenting 16th-18th century mortuary relics known as "Memento mori". Other interesting sites are the Greek Church Exhibition Place, the Gyula Hincz Collection and the medieval cellar at Széchenyi Street. The bridge of the Gombás Stream is the only Baroque-style stone bridge with statues in the country.

Vácrátót
In Vácrátót, the Arboretum has the largest live plant collection in the country. A water mill and a rippling stream spanned by wooden bridges make the Arboretum even more attractive. Orchestral concerts are held in front of the Vigyázó Castle in summer.

Gödöllő
In Gödöllő, the 250-year-old Royal Mansion is one of the largest palaces in the country and is a significant work of Hungarian Baroque architecture. The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy's ruling couple, Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Queen Elizabeth (known as Sissi) frequently stayed here. Most of the building has been restored to its former glory. Classical concerts and major festivals are organized in the State room and the ceremonial court of the palace.

The works of the Artist Colony, founders of Art Nouveau, are on display at the Gödöllő Municipal Museum.

Mogyoród
The Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place at the Hungaroring in mid-August in Mogyoród.

Ócsa
Heading south-east from Budapest, one must stop at Ócsa. The Calvinist Church, built in the 13th century is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. In the Old Village [Öregfalu] traditionally furnished houses can be seen. The tombs in the Calvinist cemetery are famous for the carved tombstones called "kopjafas".