Hungary is an amazing country that is of great interest to travelers. Its many attractions attract guests from different countries. A lot of interesting things can be seen not only in Budapest, but also in other cities of Hungary. In our article we want to talk about the attractions of Szentendre (Hungary).
A bit about the city ...
Each tourist who sets out on a trip thinks out a route in advance, planning places to visit. Speaking of what to see in Hungary, it is worth recommending Szentendre. A small Hungarian town is located just twenty kilometers from Budapest.
Since ancient times, Szentendre was chosen by sculptors and artists who gave their country a huge number of stunning masterpieces. Now works of art can be seen in museums and galleries of the city. It is for this reason that Szentendre is rightly called the mecca of museums. The natural beauties of the region, beautiful architecture and hospitable residents are no less impressive. The city of Szentendre has long become a famous tourist center, which all guests of Hungary seek to visit.
History of Szentendre
Currently, the population of the city is 25 thousand people. And its history goes back to the distant eleventh century. Historians note that there is evidence that even in the first century, an ancient Roman camp was located on this site. The name was given to the city by Istvan I (the first king of Hungary). Translated, it means nothing more than “St. Andrew”.
Throughout history, the city has repeatedly experienced periods of prosperity and decline. The invasion of the Turks in the eleventh century turned the region into ashes. Therefore, subsequently, Serbian refugees who arrived here in the fourteenth century began to rebuild the city. Over time, Romanians, Germans, Greeks, Hungarians moved into the region. Szentendre began to develop actively. Housing and temples were built here. Among the refugees and immigrants there were a lot of talented people, as well as successful merchants and good artisans. Quickly enough, the city became prosperous. But unfortunately, frequent floods and epidemics significantly violated the region’s idyll.
A new heyday began in 1900, when numerous artists from nearby lands moved to the city. Since then, Szentendre has become a real center of art in Hungary. Of course, over time, some artists moved to live and create in Budapest. Nevertheless, the city still proudly bears its honorary title.
How to get to the city?
Every traveler who wants to visit the city will be interested in the question of how to get to Szentendre. The most convenient route is through the capital. Our compatriots can take a direct flight Moscow - Budapest. Air traffic is the most comfortable travel option. Next to Szentendre can be reached by bus or train. The capital is separated from the amazing city of artists by a half-hour trip by public transport.
The direct flight Moscow - Budapest is not so tiring, so it does not take much effort and time. You can transfer to a bus in the capital at the bus station located near the Arpad bridge. By train, you can network at a station located on Battyani Square. Transport in Hungary is very well established. Buses depart every half hour, and trains depart every twenty minutes.
You can also get to Szentendre by taxi. True, its cost is much more expensive than a train ticket. If traveling by train will cost you about 145 rubles, then taxi services will cost you more than 3 thousand rubles. The capital has a huge selection of private carriers, the cost of services of which strive for such public transport. So, for example, for 750 rubles you can ride in a minibus with another 7-8 passengers. There are a lot of options for moving.
Very often, tourists come to the city for just one day. In this case, it is more logical to take a comprehensive tour. This option is most suitable for those travelers who want to see most of the sights in the shortest possible time. There are various suggestions. An excursion can be arranged for a large group of people or for several people. Depending on the number of tourists, a bus, minibus or regular car can be selected.
Ethnographical museum
See all the attractions of Szentendre (Hungary) in one trip is quite difficult. However, it is worth paying attention to the most basic of them. We will talk about them later. It makes sense to start a walk from the historic city center. Walking along the winding streets, it is worth visiting the local temples and numerous museums.
However, not all the sights of the city are located on its territory. Not far from Szentendre (just five kilometers) is the open-air ethnographic museum Skansen. It is called the largest such institution in Hungary. On its territory, a sense of time is lost. It seems that you are transported in time, because from everywhere you are surrounded by old houses in which Hungarian peasants once lived. Historians have reconstructed not only the appearance of buildings, but also their interior decoration, which makes it possible to have an idea about the way of life of people. The museum occupies 60 hectares. About 400 houses were built on it. Among them are buildings brought from all over the country. Their unique architecture is a reflection of the Hungarian regions. By visiting the museum, you can at least superficially get acquainted with the culture and history of the whole country. On its territory genuine farm buildings are collected. All of them are placed on a regional basis. In addition, the organizers arranged all the buildings as it was customary in a particular area.
An interesting fact is that in the museum not only the houses themselves correspond to the historical past, but also animals of those species that were kept by peasants of that time are present. Everyone can feed the living creatures with feed, which are sold here.
In Skansen, in addition to living quarters, you can see workshops, a school, wineries and other buildings. All of them are valid. So, for example, in the winery you can see the process of making wine live. In the pottery workshop - clay products. Skansen is the brightest and largest landmark of Szentendre (Hungary). The museum is so large that it is simply impossible to see it in one day. Therefore, there is always a reason to return here again. A railway operates on the territory of the complex, using which you will greatly facilitate your task. Transport will help you to travel around the area much faster and see all the objects.
Public transport museum
Sights of Szentendre (Hungary) are very diverse. Among them are the most unusual objects. It would seem that unusual in the transport that we see every day. But the organizers managed to create a stunning Public Transport Museum (Budapest), which is located right next to the train station. An electric train arrives at her from the capital. The museum has collected exhibits that in the old days traveled through the streets of the city and transported passengers. Here you can see trams, trolleybuses, buses and other modes of transport. A fascinating place allows you to plunge into the history of the emergence of Hungarian public transport. In the museum you will learn a lot. Tourists who visited it recommend visiting the exposition.
Annunciation Church
The Annunciation Church is the most recognizable Szentendre temple. Residents consider it a symbol of their hometown. The building was built in an unusual style, which is completely uncharacteristic for Hungary.
The construction was commissioned by the Orthodox community. At first, the Montenegrins and Croats, who settled in the city, built a wooden temple. But in the middle of the eighteenth century a stone was erected in its place. According to historians, the construction was carried out by the architect Maykhoffer, well-known in those days. The church resembles its other creations built in Budapest. The temple is made in the Baroque and Rococo style. The Annunciation Church also impresses with its interior. Tourists recommend not only to look at it from the outside, but also to look inside.
Museum of Ceramics
Museum of ceramics Margit Kovacs is no less interesting for tourists. The famous Hungarian artist for a long time lived in Szentendre. She bequeathed her unique collection to the city. Since 1973, her works have been kept in the museum, which bears her name. It is located in a historic building of the seventeenth century. The museum consists of several rooms, in which works of burnt clay are placed. All of them are very interesting and very diverse. The artist managed to convey her mood through ceramics. In the exhibition you can see dolls, figurines, vases and other objects. At the exit of the museum there is a souvenir shop where you can purchase photographs of the master’s works.
Christmas toy store
If you are traveling to Szentendre with your children, you should definitely visit the Christmas Toy Museum Store. It is located in the very center of the town. On the shelves of the institution you can find anything to decorate the Christmas tree - glass balls, figures, carved toys, tinsel and other items.
The cost of products depends on the level of complexity of the work. All toys are incredibly beautiful and original.
Marzipan Museum
Many tourists are attracted not by the art museums of the city, but by the Marzipan Museum. This is one of those places worth seeing in Hungary. Sweet exposition is becoming more and more popular every year. Created by her pastry chef Caro Szabo. The exposition of the establishment amazes any visitor. On the second floor of the building you can see a huge wedding marzipan cake, a sugar table set and a chocolate Parliament. And on the wall hangs a sweet map of Hungary and a portrait of Maria Theresa with the whole family, which is the largest marzipan painting in the world.
In another room you can see the sweet figures of Hungarian kings and queens. And in the hall of Austria there is a portrait of Mozart, a violin of the composer, an embroidered Austrian coat of arms, Viennese lace, a tablecloth with patterns. And all this is edible sweets.
The museum even has a full-length marzipan figure of Michael Jackson. In the building there is a workshop in which you can see with your own eyes the process of creating masterpieces from marzipan. The masters at you will turn the mass of almonds and sugar into a cartoon character. Here you can also taste sweets. Every four months, exhibits must be updated, and the former eat.
Another interesting place
The Museum of Microminiatures presents an amazing collection of works by the artist Nikolai Syadristy, who managed to create such miniature things that can only be viewed under a microscope. The works of the famous master are exhibited in only a few museums in the world: in Moscow, Kiev and Sentendre.
Jewelry Manufactory
The Caprice jewelry company operates in Szentendre, which is engaged in turning the most beautiful and largest diamonds in Europe. For more than thirty years, the manufactory has been producing jewelry of first-class quality. The trademark of Caprice is universally recognized. Visitors to the manufactory have the opportunity to see the exhibits of the museum, which are located on the territory of more than 2 thousand square meters. Historical jewelry allows you to make an excursion into the past and appreciate the beauty of products. Many tourists are eager to visit the museum, there are always a lot of sightseeing buses near the walls of the enterprise. During the tour you can learn a lot about diamond cutting and the production of jewelry. One of the halls presents diamonds that can be purchased.
Wine Museum
Szentendre is home to the National Wine Museum. It presents visitors with exhibits telling about the wine-making regions in Hungary. In the halls of the museum there are tasting wines. Guides will tell guests the history of the development of winemaking from ancient times to the present.
Here you can not only taste modern drinks, but also purchase them.
Historical sights
If you are thinking about what to see in Hungary, then you should pay attention to historical buildings and their architecture. In the center of Szentendre is Fe-Tyr Square. In 1752, the Plague Column with the Lazarus Cross was installed on it. Not far from the square is located the previously mentioned famous Cathedral of the Annunciation, made in the Rococo style. There are also several art museums worthy of the attention of tourists. Among them are the Lajos Wajda Museum and the Ferenczi Museum.
In Szentendre, you should see the Belgrade Cathedral, built more than 200 years ago. The building is 48 meters high. Tourists will be interested to appreciate the rich decoration of the church.
The oldest building of Szentendre of a religious nature is the Catholic Church of John the Baptist. The building was repeatedly rebuilt and reconstructed. From its observation deck, a surprisingly beautiful view of the city opens.
What else to see in the city?
Szentendre has an incredible number of museums and antique shops. Tourists will certainly recommend that all sweet tooth go to the Dobos confectionery, where you can taste the famous cake with chocolate cream according to the recipe of Dobos himself. In general, the cafe of the town deserves close attention of the guests. It is also worth a visit to the fabric shop. It sells a local blue printed canvas. Unique fabrics made the town famous several centuries ago.
The attraction of Szentendre is its unique narrow streets "tez". Covered narrow passages are so small that it is sometimes difficult for two pedestrians to miss each other. Such streets connect houses and avenues. In some places, their width barely reaches a meter.