Szentendre & Skanzen

Szentendre

North of the capital, Szentendre with its colourful houses, narrow alleys, and 24 museums, is the most frequently visited tourist centre along the Danube. The largest open- air museum in Hungary is located on the outskirts of the city which shows the authentic Hungarian village life. 

The first step to getting an overview of the city is strolling along the historical, narrow streets and squares and getting to know how the cityscape of Serbian, Dalmatian, Slovakian, German and Greek settlers was formed, especially after expulsion of the Turks army at the end of 17th century. Though shops and exhibitions have claimed many of the shop premises on the high street, the professions of former landlords is easily recognizable from the signs on the houses e.g. at the  Ráby Mátyás house,  a bunch of grapes is visible on the upper part of the gate. By all means climb up/ walk up in one of the alleyways to the Church Square for great views over the city.

Approaching Szentendre on the Danube or on the main road, 9 church steeples rise high in the sky. Four of these belong to the Orthodox Church. Icons and works in gold and silver and other treasures are found in the Serb Orthodox Church Museum. The 13th-14th century Roman Catholic Parish Church stands on the Castle Hill, a sun-dial on its wall tells the time.

Szentendre is famous for its artistic and cultral life. More than 20 museums and galleries await the visitor. Everybody can easily choose which one to visit. Famous artists settled down and created their masterpieces here. The Kovács Margit Museum is a tiny gem among museums. Its charming ceramic figures are colourful visions of goodness, beauty and humanity. The works of the most talented artistic family of 19th century Hungary, Károly Ferenczy, his wife and his children, can be seen in the Ferenczy Museum. The Gallery of Szentendre in the former 18th century Serb merchant house and the Gallery of the Artists' Colony exhibit the works of the town's contemporary artists. Recently opened Art Mill displays comprehensive art on different exhibitions. The ethnography of Pest County is shown in the House of Folk Art. Antiquities from the Roman town of Ulcisia Castra (1st to 4th centuries) can be seen in the Museum of Roman Stonework Remains.

For jewel and gem lovers,the Caprice Jewelry Manufactury is a real find! Visitors can learn all about the techniques of jewel and diamond making and even have the opportunity to purchase one.

There are plenty of culinary hotspots, so it is worth tasting the local and ethnic specialties here. Have coffee or cake in the Szamos confectionary, which features a Marzipan Museum on thr 1st floor, as well as a plethora of marzipan fantasies, or the nearby Dobos Chocolate Museum, where you can have delicious Dobos cake (a sponge cake layered with chocolate cream and topped with crispy caramel). This dessert is a real Hungaricum, it was named after its inventor, the well-known Hungarian pastry-maker  József C. Dobos. He endeavoured to create a cake whichwould last longer than other cakes (back in the 19th century, when cooling techniques were quite primitive).

If you are in search of souvenirs or objects for nostalgia, you can visit the various shops and galleries where you can find everything from red pepper and Matyó folk-art-motif-blouses to works from contemporary artists are obtainable.


From spring to advent time, a range of festivals and events entertain the visitors of the city. 

Skanzen

The Open- Air Ethnographic Museum is located a little outside the city, it has the largest ethnographic collection in Hungary with 312 buildings in 8 sections. Folk monuments are transported here from all over the country, for preservation. Demonstrations of folk handicrafts are held at the weekends and "calendar dates" of Hungarian folk culture are celebrated.

Get active in Szentendre, try out paintball, swim in V8 fitness and wellness complex or do canoeing on the Danube.

How to get to Szentendre: by suburban railway from Batthány Square to the end station Szentendre (please check, because not all trains run the entire route to Szentendre) or by regular boat operated by Mahart from Vigadó Square, 5th district or private water taxi operated by Dunarama.



For more information about programmes, tickets for events, accommodation contact local tourist office, Tourinform Szentendre.