Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Szentendre

After the tasty breakfast in our hotel, we went to our first destination. The former Dominican church was a jewel of Vác's main square. It was built in a baroque and rococo style between 1699 and 1755. The building was consecrated in honour of the Virgin Mary in 1769. Originally the church belonged to the Dominican order, the so-called "white friends", which is why it got its name. The one-nave church with its modest exterior fitted harmoniously into the atmosphere of the square.
Inside this beautiful building, we discovered rich rococo decorations such as paintings, frescos, and sculptures. The main altar, the sacristy, the sanctuary, and the crypt were built in 1714. In 1929 the church tower was raised. The main facade and the choir were finished in 1745. We also found several altars from different periods, a prayer stool and richly carved wooden benches.
In front of the church stood the Baroque statue. It featured Saint Joseph with baby Jesus in his arms.
During the renovation of the 1990s, the workers found a hidden door which led to a crypt below the church tower. The catacomb-like rooms hid 262 coffins which contained naturally mummified human remains dressed in death clothes.
Mass times: Monday - Friday: 6:45 Sunday: 7:00, 8:30, 11:00, 18:00
More information can be found here.

Our next visiting point was the Triumphal Arch, which is a unique historic building among the Hungarian relics. It was built for the reception of Maria Theresa in a late-Baroque and Neo-Classic style. The construction was finished in 1764 by Bishop Christopher Migazzi.
The triumphal arch was a freestanding and single-opened building that is 15 meters high, 12 meters wide, and 3.5 meters thick. The opening of the arch was 8 meters high and 4.2 meters wide.
As we admired this incredible creation, we discovered a marble tablet which features the bust of Queen Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Francis I. The Triumphal Arch also included a greeting and justifying inscription. On the city side, there were two double busts that can be seen from archdukes Joseph and Lipot II on the left, and archdukes Ferdinand and Miksa on the right. The inscription on the marble tablet placed between the pictures proclaimed the glory of the Habsburg ruling house: “AETERNE DOMVI”. It means “eternal house”.

Continuing our journey, we arrived at this monument ensemble, which was situated on top of a small hill. The round castle-like two-storey building was built in 1726 by John Schick for the memory of his wife. The Schick family received a noble knighthood from the monarch, VI. Charles. We found their coat of arms at the junction of the steps of Calvary, above the IX station.
The Vác calvary ensemble contained all the traditional elements of calvary such as the assembly chapel, the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Stairs, the stations, the calvary scene, and the hermitage.
On the ground floor, we discovered the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre which gave home to the stations. There were more stations that can be seen inside and around the Calvary. On the roof, we saw the 12th calvary scene, which features the death of Jesus.
The Holy Staircase was a special part of the Calvaries. It was constructed based on the model of Scala Santa in Rome with 28 steps divided into 7+7+7+6+1.
The hermitage joined the Calvary as a secular element. The building had a farmhouse structure with a bell tower.
Walking around this holy place gave us a great experience and a unique atmosphere. We had a great opportunity to reflect and enjoy the incredible view.

Next, we visited Szentendre’s one of the most popular museums which featured a collection of Margaret Kovács's work. It is situated in a 17th-century Baroque-styled building that was originally a salt house, then a post office and after that, a trading house. Finally, it became the residence of the Vastagh family.
The exhibition of the Kossuth prize-winning ceramic artist was opened in 1973. As we were walking along the rooms, we gained an insight into Margaret Kovács's extremely versatile, technically brilliant, and thematically very diverse oeuvre in a completely new approach. The exhibition included various ceramics, documents, letters, and photos. The particular interest of the exhibition was the authentic, touchable copies of Margaret Kovács' best-known ceramics for the blind and partially sighted.
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00
More information can be found here.

It was time for some lunch. We found this restaurant with a romantic panorama. I really enjoyed the chicken salad with sweet chili and roasted almond.
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 08:00 - 22:00 Friday - Saturday: 08:00 - 23:00 Sunday: 08:00 - 22:00

After lunch, our next destination invited us on a historical journey spanning centuries.
The Skanzen was the largest open-air museum in our country. It was founded in 1967 with the aim of allowing visitors to gain an insight into the folk architecture, the housing culture and the rural lifestyle from the 18th to the 20th century.
As we walked among the hundreds of years old houses, churches and mills, one could feel as if the former inhabitants of the peasant gates could appear at any moment. The permanent exhibition of the museum presented scenes of Hungarian village life, divided into 8 landscape units. These were the Upper Tisza region, the Western Transdanubia, Alföldi market town, Bakony and Balaton highlands, South Transdanubia, Upland market town and a Northern Hungarian Village.
In the Skansen gallery, it was also possible to view seasonal exhibitions. It opened in 2003 and its theme is often centred around the painful memories of the Hungarian peasantry.
More information and opening hours can be found here.

Our next visiting point was located in the main square of the city. It was raised in 1690 by monks from Szerém. Today's church was built on the site of this wooden church in 1752 based on the plans of Andrew Mayerhoffer. The patron saint of the church was Our Lady of the Annunciation. She was also one of the symbols of the city.
As we admired this beautiful church, we explored the Baroque and Rococo elements that mixed in its style. Its facade tower was 28 meters high. The building was decorated with a curved gable on both sides. A stone jug and a small obelisk could be seen on the edge of its cornices. The small, curved stone balconies were special features of the stone-framed bell windows.
Its main entrance was a richly decorated stone gate with oak doors. As we walked through the entrance, we found a red marble tomb with a Greek inscription. The stone-framed side entrance was made from oak wood and decorated with shells.
Above the door, we saw the fresco of Saint Constantine and Saint Helena in an arched frame. The Rococo icon wall of the church was made by Michael Zsivkovics in 1802. At the top, the crucified Jesus could be seen with the Sorrowful Virgin Mother on the left side, and the image of St. John on the right side.
Opening hours: 1st April - 30th September Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
More information here.

Not too far from the church, we immersed ourselves in the history of Szentendre by walking on the narrow cobbled streets and along the historical buildings.
The street called Váralja Staircase. Originally, this area was the site of a fortress from the Middle Ages. To our days it was destroyed and only the St. John the Baptist church remained which was built in a Gothic style.
However, the most impressive part of Castle Hill was the magnificent view. We took the opportunity to take in the splendid views of the whole town and save this incredible place in our memories.

The parish church of Saint John the Baptist was the oldest monument in Szentendre. It was built between 1241-80 in honour of St. Andrew. The clock tower was built later, at the beginning of the 14th century. Its architecture featured a mixture of Gothic and Baroque styles. A sundial from the 1300s was carved from stone and placed on the corner of the southwest buttress.
On the south side, we discovered medieval windows with stone frames and traces of frescoes. Inside the church, we explored many beautiful frescoes that were painted by the members of the artist’s colony from Szentendre between 1933-38. It was worth noting that Szentendre is in the background of the biblical scenes. The altar and the stained-glass window were beautiful.
Note: the church is open during the day between the first and last masses, during which visits are allowed.

Our chosen restaurant was situated in the heart of Szentendre. As we were walking in the town, the cobbled streets and old-style buildings clearly portrayed medieval times. Near the restaurant, we came across a unique tourist attraction. The various colourful lampshades created an incredible atmosphere.
Finally, we arrived at the restaurant. It was one of the oldest restaurants in the town. It has been in continuous operation for two hundred years. The interior decoration evokes the past, as it is furnished with old peasant tools. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 22:00

With many memories, we arrived home. The last few days were incredibly filled with lots of historical and unique places, beautiful landscapes and delicious food. I couldn't wait to share my experience with my friends.