The 2023 Capital of Culture is Veszprém in Hungary. We introduce the city north of the Balaton and tell you which sights you should see. Not only culture lovers will get their money’s worth. Veszprém is also worth a trip for outdoor fans.
Veszprém is one of the oldest cities in Hungary. It was selected by the European Union as the Capital of Culture 2023. With just under 60,000 inhabitants, the city is not particularly large. Thanks to its attractive cityscape and its proximity to Lake Balaton, it is nevertheless a popular destination for tourists. Handball fans have certainly heard of Veszprém. The club “KC Veszprém” celebrates international successes again and again.
The city of queens – where does the nickname of Veszprém come from?
Veszprém is also called the “City of Queens”. The origin of this nickname is closely connected with the history of Christianity in Hungary. Gisela, the wife of the first baptized king, Stephen I, settled in Veszprém because the city was her favorite. She founded the episcopal see of Veszprem and gave the bishop of the city the privilege of crowning the king’s wife. This custom was preserved until the end of the monarchy in Hungary. Even today, the “Gisela Days” – a well-known festival of the city – remind us of the queen’s attachment to the city.
Capital of Culture 2023 – These sights in Veszprém are worth seeing
The Capital of Culture Veszprém is rather manageable. This makes it the perfect destination for a short trip. Due to its location, the city can also be perfectly combined with other destinations in Hungary. From Munich, for example, you can take the train to Budapest in about seven hours. From there it is two hours to Veszprém. Lake Balaton (Plattensee) is only a few kilometers away.
If you have already acquired a taste for Veszprém, we will now explain to you which sights you should not miss during a visit to Veszprém.
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The castle of Veszprém
The castle hill rises about 40 meters above the otherwise very flat Veszprém. It is probably the most famous sight of the rather tranquil city. Even from a distance, you can see Hungary’s only castle built in the Baroque style on the hill in the center of Veszprém.
The small castle street first leads through the castle gate next to the fire tower with a viewing terrace. Right after that, in a pretty courtyard, you will find the Modern Képtár Galéria. Works of the great Hungarian representatives of abstract art are gathered here. On the left side of the castle street you will find the Brick Museum with a beautiful vaulted cellar, somewhat hidden in a courtyard.
Three churches are part of the castle complex. Their towers can be seen from far away. One pair of towers belongs to the Cathedral of St. Michael, which has a history of over 100 years. The tall gray tower belongs to the Franciscan Church and the smallest tower to the Piarist Church. Next to it is the Bishop’s Palace and the Gisela Chapel from 1230 on the castle hill.
The Fire Tower – landmark of the city of Veszprem
We have already mentioned the Fire Tower. It is considered one of the landmarks of the city. As the name suggests, in ancient times the tower was used to detect possible fires in the city in time. Even today, the top of the 48-meter tower is the highest point of the city and serves as a lookout tower. The climb up the spiral staircase is worth it! On the hour, the Verbunk dance melody of the Veszprem composer Antal Csermák is heard here.
The Historia Garden
The Historia Garden is considered one of the most beautiful sights of Veszprém. The garden is located about one kilometer from the city center on the banks of the Séd Brook. The garden was created in the first half of the 19th century by Bishop József Kopácsy around the associated spa house. At that time there was a real competition for the most beautiful spa house to demonstrate power and taste. Accordingly, the garden is still beautiful to look at today. Numerous open-air events take place here in the summer.
The nearly 4,000-square-meter park is also the starting point for the “Monasteries and Gardens” walking trail, which has been signposted by the local tourist information office. It takes you to the most beautiful places of the Capital of Culture 2023.
The Országos Kéktúra long-distance hiking trail
One of Hungary’s three long-distance hiking trails, the Országos Kéktúra, which means “blue country tour” in English, does not go directly through Veszprém, but it is worth a detour. You can take the train to Városlőd in the north-west and from there follow the route of the long-distance trail to Zirc, from where the train will take you back to Veszprém. Blue and white markers will reliably show you the way.
The hike will lead you through the Bakony Forest and the Bakony Mountains. In addition to picturesque villages, the area is particularly impressive for its high beech forests. The highest point of the tour is the 709 meter high Kőris Mountain. From here you have a beautiful view over the big old trees.
By the way, Országos Kéktúra is largely integrated into the long-distance hiking trail E4, which leads from Gibraltar to Crete.
