An adventure to Esztergom, the cradle of modern Hungary, promises to be unforgettable because all buildings and historical monuments tell much interesting about the old and rich history of this region. Esztergom is situated not far from the border with Slovakia and 46 kilometers away from Budapest. The city lies on the right bank of the River Danube, exactly in the area where the river bends. Nowadays, Esztergom is widely referred to as the “Hungarian Vatican” because the biggest church in the country is open here.
The history of Esztergom is rich in events and various interesting facts. The Celts were the first settlers in the area. Later, Romans replaced them. The settlement got its first name – Salvio Mansio – during the reign of the Roman Empire. During the Migration Period, the Avar and German tribes liked the territory of modern Esztergom, and so they decided to settle here. They called their new home Stregom. The settlement became the main fortress in the region. At the end of the 9th century, Hungarians claimed the territory. After this event, the region started developing rapidly, turning into one of the major centers in the country.
The city is home to the main church in the country – the Basilica of Esztergom. Dedicated to St. Adalbert, the gorgeous church was built in 1856. However, the basilica was completely finished only in 1869. The building is quite large: the length of the basilica is roughly one hundred and twenty meters, and its width is almost fifty meters. The height of the basilica is one hundred meters. As the large church is built on a hill above the Danube River, it looks even more impressive and grandiose.
The building has a cross shape with features typical for neoclassicism. The main, façade side of the basilica is decorated with a massive Corinthian portico and eight big columns. If you step inside, you will notice various frescos, mosaics, numerous marble columns, and giant statues. All these beautiful elements are located in an area of more than 50,000 square meters. Don’t forget to get to the observation deck on the cupola of the basilica. This deck has a truly marvelous panoramic view of the surroundings, the bending part of the Danube River, the nearby Pilis Mountains, and picturesque neighborhoods.
Do you enjoy exploring beautiful palaces? In Esztergom, tourists can visit a true architectural gem, a royal castle that once was a residence of the Arpad dynasty. The gorgeous castle dates back to the 10th century. Its design is a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture. Besides the unique beauty, the castle turned out to be very durable and strong. It has managed to survive the Mongol invasion that took place in the 13th century. Even when Czech King Wenceslaus III captured Esztergom, the castle survived the attack without any major damages.
Sadly, the gorgeous building couldn’t sustain the attack of the Turkish army. The alien forces destroyed the castle, plundered Esztergom, and damaged many of its buildings. Only in the 18th century, when Hungarians reclaimed the territory, Esztergom became a free city. This is the period when massive restorative works started in Esztergom. The beautiful royal castle has also risen from ashes. Restoration works ended only at the beginning of the 20th century. Nowadays, a museum is open in the castle. Its exhibition tells more about the rich history of the city and the building.
Szechenyi Square is one of the major landmarks in Esztergom. There are many historic buildings that are worth seeing around the square. All the buildings are old and are great examples of the Baroque and Rococo architectural styles. That being said, the gorgeous fountain in the middle of the square is its biggest attraction. It is so pleasant to sit near the fountain on a hot day and throw a coin into it when leaving.
The easiest way to get to Esztergom is to reach Budapest first. The distance from the capital of Hungary is only thirty-eight kilometers. There are many daily buses that connect Budapest to Esztergom. If you want to, you can get to Esztergom by train. The road will be one and a half hours in this case.
