The city of Szeged in Hungary is the third largest in this European country. In the world, it is best known for the paprika and salami produced here, as well as the magnificent cathedral. In addition, experienced travelers know Szeged as a modern city, and call it the “Southern Gate of Hungary” due to its close proximity to the Serbian border.
It is also one of the main tourist centers of the state, a health resort and a place that attracts guests with its architecture, represented by the modern style.
Geographic location
On a map of Hungary, Szeged can be found in a southeast direction from Budapest. The distance from this city to the capital is 160 km. Very close to Szeged are the borders of Romania (20 km) and Serbia (10 km).
There is a city on the banks of the Tisza River. This is the left tributary of the Danube - the main waterway located in the Hungarian plain.
What is the origin of the name Szeged is not exactly known. But translated from Hungarian, it means an island or a corner on a steep bend of a river.
Szeged in Hungary (see photo below) is the lowest place.
In addition, it is also called the “Solar City”. The fact is that it has the largest number of clear days - up to 300 a year.
Population
The city of Szeged (Hungary) is the third largest country in the country. Its population is just over 160 thousand people. Of these, 95% are people of Hungarian nationality. Germans and Croats, Slovaks, Romanians and Gypsies make up 1% of the total population.
Climate
What is the prevailing weather in Szeged (Hungary)? The climate in the territory of the city is temperate continental. Due to this, there is a very mild winter, warm summers and even rainfall. The average temperature during the year in Szeged is +10.6 degrees. In the coldest winter month of January, it reaches -1.8, and in hot July and August - + 20.8 and +20.2, respectively. Sometimes in winter, snow falls in the city. However, it does not lie for long and quickly melts.
History
The city of Szeged (Hungary) originated in ancient times. Historians know about the small settlement of Partiskum, which was located in these places in the Roman era. In subsequent centuries, these lands were settled by the Slavs. In the 9th century Hungarians to this territory. In the 13th century the city was ravaged and destroyed by hordes of Mongols.
However, life went on. The city was rebuilt. In 1543, he became part of the Ottoman Empire. After exile in the 13th century. from the lands occupied by modern Hungary, the Turks, the Habsburgs gained power over Szeged.
In 1879, the city was destroyed again. The reason for this was not the foreign conquerors at all, but the water of the seemingly calm and quiet Tisza River. It spilled with such force that it actually wiped the city from the face of the earth, leaving only 500 out of 3,000 houses to stand.
The news of the tragedy reached Vienna. Emperor Franz Joseph decided to completely restore, or rather rebuild Szeged to become more beautiful than before. And the intended was fulfilled. Moreover, during the construction of Szeged, large European cities were taken as a model. And today, tourists who come to admire the “Southern Gate of Hungary” confirm that the architecture in this village is one of the best in all of Austria-Hungary, the secession and eclectic ensemble.
Popular destination
Tourists visiting Szeged (Hungary), not without reason, note that the city is one of the most interesting and convenient in this country. And all this thanks to its modern solutions and a characteristic structure, including the design of ring and radial roads.
Travelers love to admire the spacious streets of Szeged, its green boulevards, tall elegant houses and entire complexes built in the style of historicism.
Attract tourists and attractions of Szeged (Hungary). Most of them are located in the city center. Thanks to this, travelers are given the opportunity to admire beautiful buildings created under the influence of modernism during a leisurely walk.
Judging by the reviews of city guests, a self-guided walking tour of its main historical places takes no more than half a day. After that, there will still be enough time to go to one of the Szeged baths.
Section Square
Judging by the reviews left by experienced travelers, Szeged (Hungary) should begin to get acquainted with this place.
In the past, Secheni Square was a market square. Today, it appears to tourists as a well-groomed square with exquisite flower beds, centuries-old plane trees, a fountain and sculptures here.
City Hall
This building is located in Secheni Square. Moreover, in the entire history of the city, it is the third building erected on this site. The Town Hall was built after the flood. The project for its construction was created by architects Dyula Partosh and Eden Pechner. The grand opening of the Town Hall took place in 1883. The emperor of the country, Franz Joseph, was present at it. His words, uttered during a solemn speech: “Szeged will be more beautiful than it was”, are immortalized in the Town Hall building above the window of the stairs.
At the emperor’s arrival, the builders connected the Town Hall with the neighboring building, erecting the so-called “Bridge of Sighs”.
Experienced tourists advise those travelers who come to the city for the first time to get a guide free of charge at the tourist information point, which has a map in Russian. This kiosk is located in Secheni Square.
Clausal
This square, as well as the pedestrian street Karas located in its immediate vicinity, were awarded the Europa Nostra prize in 2004, which is issued for the preservation of architectural values. On warm summer evenings, guests of Szeged (Hungary) can listen to live music and sit in one of the many cafes.
Rivers Palace
This building is also on the list of Szeged attractions in Hungary (see photo below for a photo of him). The Reok Palace is located on the boulevard named after Lajos Tisza not far from Karas street. This structure is an exemplary indicator of the Hungarian secession. The palace was created in 1907 by engineer Ivan Reok and architect Ede Magyar.
The construction is as if covered with white glaze and decorated with garlands consisting of purple lilies. In former times, the building served as a residential building. Today it hosts music concerts, exhibitions, and many other cultural events.
New Synagogue
Just 10 minutes walk from the center of Szeged (Hungary) is Yoshika Street. Here is the New Synagogue. This building was built in 1903 according to the project of architect Lipot Bauchmorn.
It is one of the most beautiful synagogues in the world. In its appearance, elements of the Mediterranean, Moorish and Arabic styles were perfectly combined. The entire structure is 48 m long, 35 m wide and 49 m high. In the summer, the New Synagogue hides behind the foliage of trees in the surrounding garden. When viewing a building from the street, travelers can see only the dome, which is decorated with bas-reliefs, turrets and cornices.
No less exquisite is the interior of this building. Blue and golden tones, as well as ivory elements, are used in its interior decoration. The huge glass dome, which depicts the sky, as well as the altar, for the manufacture of which Jerusalem marble, white gold, silver and other precious metals, as well as stained-glass windows made of Venetian glass, cannot shake its beauty.
On weekdays, the synagogue is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for visitors. Currently, it is used as a concert hall, with a capacity of 1300 people.
Dugonich Square
After visiting the synagogue, experienced tourists advise you to return to the city center again. Here is an area named after Andras Dugonic. This is a priest and teacher, a member of the order of monks, PR-writers and writer, who created the first novel in Hungarian. There is a fountain in the square. It was built in 1979 in honor of the centenary of the great flood in the city. The square is the most favorite place for city residents, where they make appointments and dates.
Szeged University
The building of this educational institution is located on Dugonich Square. Szeged University appeared in the city in 1921. It happened after the institution of higher education, which had previously been located in the city of Kolozhvara (Transylvania), was transferred here as a result of Transylvania's accession to the Romanian state.
Until 1940, students were trained at 4 faculties at Szeged University - natural sciences and mathematics, arts and law. It is noteworthy that at that time Albert Saint-Dierdi was in the university’s professorship. This is the 1937 Nobel laureate in medicine and physiology. In 1940, Romania, according to a decision adopted by the Vienna Arbitration, ceded Hungary part of Transylvania. The university was transferred back to Kolozhvar. But at the same time, another was opened in the city to them. Miklos Horthy. In 1962, he received the name of Attila Jozhev, a Hungarian patriot, a revolutionary poet, who studied at the time, but was expelled for writing political poems.
Martyrs Square Arad
This is the next point of a walking tour of the city. On the Square of Martyrs Arad there is a memorial pillar in honor of the Battle of Serge. In front of him is a marble slab on which the names of thirteen officers and generals executed in Arad are embossed. Here are the gates of the heroes. This is a memorial place for people who died during the First World War. The arch of this gate is decorated with frescoes of Vilmos Aba-Novak.
Cathedral Square
The next point of the walking route is very close to the previous one. Experienced tourists are advised to definitely visit the Cathedral Square, which in size is not inferior to the Venetian St. Mark's Square. Here is the National Memorial Pavilion, under the arches of which you can see statues depicting Hungarian outstanding figures of art, science and history. Also on Cathedral Square Szeged, which covers an area of 12 thousand square meters. m, in the summer days you can become a spectator of concerts and performances, as well as take part in one of the festivals held here.
Church of the Vow
On Cathedral Square, tourists can admire the magnificent architecture of the Cathedral of Our Lady. It is also called the Church of the Vow. Where does the cathedral get such an unusual name from? The fact is that after the flood that happened in 1879, the inhabitants of the city took a vow. They decided at all costs to build a magnificent Catholic church glorifying the Virgin Mary, the patroness of Hungary. The temple began to be erected in 1913 according to the project of the architect Fridbesh Shulek. However, a year later, construction was suspended due to the outbreak of World War I and the ensuing economic crisis. Work continued only in 1923. Construction was completed in 1930. Then the cathedral was consecrated.
According to experienced tourists, the architectural appearance of the church is very interesting. It mixes elements of the Byzantine oriental style, as well as Romanesque and Gothic. The main facade is decorated with two slender belfries, each of which rises above the ground to a height of 91 m.
The interior of the temple is replete with statues and reliefs. Decorate it and mosaics. One of them is located directly above the altar. It depicts the Virgin Mary in the national costume of Hungarian women and in Szeged slippers. The third largest in the country is the 9040-pipe organ located in the cathedral.
Other interesting objects of Cathedral Square
In front of the Vow Church is one of the most ancient sights of Szeged (Hungary). This is the tower of Dementia.
Another interesting object, which also attracts the attention of tourists, is the Music Clock. They were first heard in 1986 during the summer theater games. This watch was made by master Ferenc Churi, depicting a scene of farewell of university graduates with the walls of their educational institution. Twice a day, at 12.15 a.m., and also at 1745 a.m., they begin to play. Simultaneously with the music in the watch figures of teachers and graduates of the university appear.
Orthodox Serbian Church
The building of this temple is located in the northern part of Cathedral Square. In the 18-19 centuries. Serbs played a crucial role in the development of trade in the city and the region. And with their permission to build a Serbian church, the inhabitants of the city confirmed their friendly attitude towards this people.
Promenade
When making a walk from Cathedral Square, you should go down to the Tisza River. Here, standing on the embankment, you can admire the calm and unhurried flow of water, which in 1879 caused the biggest catastrophe in the history of the city.
There is also a small but very elegant building erected in the neo-baroque style. It was opened in 1883 by the Szeged National Theater. The building has a semicircular facade, the decoration of which are allegorical figures representing the various characters of the acting game.
Complex "Anna"
After a long walk you can afford relaxation relaxation. In Szeged (Hungary), thermal springs allow many people to recover, helping to solve problems with joint diseases, eliminate chronic fatigue, psoriasis, asthma, gynecological inflammation, and inflammatory nervous pathologies. For this, a bathing complex called "Anna" is open and operating here. Its snow-white building, built in 1896, is located on L. Tisla Boulevard.
This bath has everything you need for a good rest. These include saunas and a jacuzzi, a massage room and a solarium, as well as several pools filled with thermal water. The complex works even at night. According to tourists, his visit was one of the most memorable moments of their stay in Szeged.
Zoo
Judging by the reviews of travelers, not a single store is open in Szeged on Sundays. This is an excellent reason to head to the local zoo.
He received his first visitors in 1989, so he is the newest of all menageries in the country. The zoo in Szeged (Hungary) covers an area of 45 hectares, which allows it to be considered the most spacious in the territory of this state.
The menagerie is an ideal place for exploring nature and for walking. Its entire territory is literally buried in greenery and resembles a real forest. In order to navigate in the zoo, at the entrance to each of the visitors a map of the menagerie is issued.
Where to stay in the city?
Szeged, which is included in the list of tourist centers in Hungary, offers its guests various accommodation options. Travelers can choose one of the hotels Szeged (Hungary) or apartments, the cost of accommodation in which is in wide price ranges.
Tourists note that five-star hotels are not here. However, 4-star hotels offer quite comfortable rooms. Pensions and hotel houses are a cheaper option, but judging by the reviews of tourists, the level of service in them is also at an altitude. The budget option is hostel accommodation.