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Travelogues, travel stories
The “centre” Hungary and its surroundings
The Danube-Tisza Interfluve and the areas near the... More »
Lions of Balatonalmádi
There are more plages along the coast, so everyone... More »
Hungarian cuisine, Hungarian wines
The great traditions of Hungarian cuisine have, in... More »
The Heviz Lake
The Heviz Lake lies in a 60.5 ha nature conservati... More »
Lake Balaton Ever Enticing
Nobody quite knows who first declared themselves i... More »
Travel experiences
Esztergom and its surroundings
The stretch of the Danube Bend between Esztergom and Visegrad is one of the prettiest in the country. It took thousands of years for the river to forge its way through the volcanic hills, today known as Visegrad Hill and Borzsony Mountain, forming an S-shaped valley as it did so.
The stretch of the Danube Bend between Esztergom and Visegrad is one of the prettiest in the country. It took thousands of years for the river to forge its way through the volcanic hills, today known as Visegrad Hill and Borzsony Mountain, forming an S-shaped valley as it did so. The area had already attracted prehistoric man, probably less for its panorama than for its fertile ground. It is no coincidence that the conquering Hungarian tribes also chose this site for their first royal capital. Esztergom is the “Cradle of Hungary”, its oldest city and its capital for 250 years. From a distance, the huge cupola of the Basilica guides your way to the centre. Saint Stephen, founder of the state, was born and crowned here. Esztergom’s archbishop is the head of the Hungarian Roman Catholic Church. Let’s start our visit on Castle Hill (Varhegy). The biggest church in Hungary, the Classicist-style Basilica – with its stunning Renaissance Bakocz Chapel of 1511 – can be found on the hill. There are historic graves in its crypt from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, while the martyred Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty (1892–1975) was also buried here. There is an ecclesiastical collection of immense value in its treasury. The reconstructed medieval royal palace is situated between the 14th-century walls, complete with some original details and a stimulating history exhibition inside. From the walls of Castle Hill and Miklos Melocco’s Saint Stephen Statue there are splendid views of the Danube valley, of the neighbouring Parkany (Sturovo, Slovakia) and the reconstructed Maria Valeria Bridge over the river. At the foot of the hill, you’ll find the Christian Museum in the Eclectic building of the archbishop’s palace. Inside are medieval Hungarian altar screens, statues and a unique collection of figurative art. Do not hurry; take time to look around the city’s main square, which is famous for its historical atmosphere. Also pay a visit the Balint Balassi Museum or the special Danube Museum. We could even climb up the hill to try a wine cellar or to visit the Babits Memorial House. Primas Island is the centre of local water life and an important port for yachts navigating on the river or making the International Danube Trip. At the Aqua Island Baths, everyone can take to the water. There are two ways of reaching Esztergom from Budapest. Most people choose the main road that winds alongside the Danube Bend, but others arrive on cruise ships or speedy hydrofoils. Visitors coming by car can rest at Domos, where the ships also dock. You can take a walk to the reconstructed walls of the 12th-century provosts’ residence and crypt. Energetic visitors can follow tourist paths that start here and lead to exciting sights on the hill like Ram-szakadek, Lukacs-arok, Dobogoko, the Vadallo stones, and Predikaloszek (639m). You can also enjoy a spectacular view over the whole Danube Bend; note, though, that the walks up are fairly strenuous. The second-fastest main road to Esztergom goes around Dorog. The rocky sides of the Pilis above Kesztolc and the Nagy-Gete Peak of Gerecse Hill make the journey even more beautiful. There is also an attractive world underneath the surface: visit the Legeny and Leany caves, or the Strazsa Hill Cave. A third alternative is to travel from Budapest to Esztergom aboard the scheduled classic steam train, which offers a wonderfully nostalgic experience. Source: Hungarian Tourism Plc