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Szeged region for Seniors - 1 day

Szeged region
How long it takes?
1 Day
Best vehicle choice for this plan:
bicycle
public transport
This region is famous for:
Culture and monuments
Religious sites
Szeged region
Seniors
Day 1

Szeged Cathedral Visitor Centre

If you only have a single day to explore Szeged, head to the Szeged Votive Church Visitor Centre. The construction of the church – built to commemorate the people who fled from the 1879 flood – was completed in 1930. The colourful stained glass windows were designed by the renowned Hungarian stained glass artist Miksa Róth. The lavish interior includes a real rarity: a mosaic of the Virgin Mary wearing “Szeged” style slippers and a szűr: the traditional fur overcoat worn by Hungarian shepherds. The western steeple of the church doubles as a lookout point.

Dömötör Tower

Standing just outside the church, the Dömötör Tower is the steeple section of the medieval St Demetrius church, which used to occupy the land where the Votive Church now stands. The tower is the oldest surviving building in Szeged. Converted into a baptising chapel in 1931, the tower has a Baptism of Christ, a beautiful secco painted by renowned Hungarian artist Vilmos Aba-Novák.

A walk in the town centre

Include a walk in the central area of Szeged on your itinerary. Near the church, the Heroes’ Gate has another Aba-Novák gem: the World War II-themed mural. Nearby Dugonics tér boasts a musical fountain, filling the air with pleasant tunes every summer. Studded with statues, Kárász utca takes you to Széchenyi tér, flanked by the beautiful town hall with the local version of the Bridge of Sighs. On the corner of the square, you can get a taste of mineral water at the famous Anna fountain. Then head on down Tisza Lajos boulevard to a true masterpiece of Hungarian Art Nouveau, the fantastic Reök Palace.

New Synagogue

The New Synagogue is one of Europe’s finest Jewish temples, the second largest in Hungary. It was designed by Lipót Baumhorn, and built between 1900 and 1902. The stained-glass windows are the works of Manó Róth. The inner decoration of the dome represents the world: the 24 support columns symbolise the 24 hours that make up a day, and the painted motifs depict our faith in God, the Earth and Heaven.

 

During your visit

Wine

The grape variety called ‘cserszegi fűszeres’ grows best on Kunság soil. The grape variety was bred by Dr Károly Bakonyi, and was transferred from the shores of Lake Balaton to the Hungarian Great Plain. The wine made from it has a distinctive aroma that reminds you of elderberry, with the promise of a light, slim taste. It certainly goes well with light dishes.

Gastronomy

Fish soup is made in many different ways. Wherever you go, from Baja to Szeged, Lake Balaton or the upper region of the River Tisza, every family has their own recipe. What is it? A nice bowl of fish soup from Szeged needs nothing but a hearty appetite and good company. It is an essential cornerstone of Hungarian cuisine and in Szeged, of course, it is made à la Szeged. But it’s easy for them, of course, because they have excellent quality paprika to use.

Move around like a hungarian