Sightseeing in Hungary

Sightseeing

Szeged, one of the largest cities in Hungary, is situated near the southern border of Hungary, just to the south of the mouth of the Maros River and on both banks of the Tisza River.

Due to the highest number of sunshine hours annually, it is often called the City of Sunshine.

Today the inner city of Szeged has beautiful buildings and wide avenues. This is mainly due to the great flood of 1879, which literally wiped away the whole town (only 265 of the 5723 houses remained and 165 people died). Emperor Franz Joseph visited the town and promised that 'Szeged will be more beautiful than it used to be.' He kept his promise. During the next years a new, modern city emerged from the ruins, with palaces and wide streets.

Szeged is now an important university town and a popular tourist attraction. The famous Open Air Plays of Szeged (first held in 1931) are one of the main attractions; they are held in every summer. Szeged is also famous for its food, due to its geography and the big rivers nearby. Famous fish dishes are created here and the city's people take pride in it. Also, the world renowned Pick Salami is produced here, see www.pick.hu

Places to visit - Szecheny Square - Szeged

One of Central Europe's most attractive and largest squares, it is shaded by tree rarities and adorned by sculptures of artisitic work. Among the buildings around the square it is worth mentioning the Tisza Hotel, which is a literary, historical and artistic memorial place visited by a number of poet, writers and composers in the past. On the western side of the square, next to City Hall, stands the classical style Zsoter House. The City Hall it's a neo-baroque style building built in 1799.

Klauzal Square

From Szechenyi Square we arrive at Klauzal Square through Karasz Street, which is the thoroughfare of Szeged and decorated by the 'Greeting' statues, who welcome visitors to the city.

The classical style Karasz House on the square is another building of great importance from the balcony of which Lajos Kossuth delivered his last speech in Hungary before his exile in 1849.

Don't forget to stop at the famous Virag Patisserie for a well deserved coffee and cake.