Summary
Positioned at the junction of the Tisza and Maros Rivers, Szeged is a city that experienced a remarkable rebirth at the close of the 19th century.
In 1879, a flood nearly devastated Szeged, leaving merely 265 out of 5,723 residences intact.
In the aftermath of this disaster, extensive construction efforts commenced, endowing Szeged with impressive Neo-Classical, Eclectic, and Art Nouveau architectural styles.
Emperor Franz Joseph visited during the rebuilding in 1883 and confidently asserted that the city would surpass its former beauty. Indeed, he appears to have been correct.
In Szeged, one can find an extraordinarily beautiful Art Nouveau synagogue, vibrant squares lined with magnificent palaces, a museum housed in a striking Neo-Classical edifice, and a decorative brick church, which is the fourth-largest structure in Hungary.
Let us examine the top attractions in Szeged:
1. Votive Church
The cathedral in Szeged commenced construction in 1913 and was completed in 1930, though progress was interrupted by the First World War.
This church succeeded the flood-damaged Medieval Church of St. Demetrius, of which a tower remains visible nearby.
Situated in a plaza comparable in size to St. Mark’s Square in Venice, the Votive Church is the fourth largest structure in Hungary, accommodating 5,000 and featuring towers that rise 91 meters above the square.
Consistent with Szeged’s Eclectic style, the structure amalgamates Byzantine, neo-Romanesque, and neo-Gothic elements, adorned with frescoes crafted in the latter part of the 20th century.
2. Móra Ferenc Múzeum
Located on the banks of the Tisza near the Belváros Bridge, this distinguished landmark emerged during the reconstruction following the 1879 flood. The Neoclassical Palace for Public Education boasts a majestic portico supported by Corinthian columns.
This monument houses a multidisciplinary museum that hosts prominent temporary exhibitions.
Recent years have featured exhibitions showcasing celebrated Hungarian painter Mihály Munkácsy as well as sarcophagi and artifacts from Ancient Egypt.
The permanent displays focus on natural history and regional culture, featuring moving models, multimedia presentations, and interactive installations.
Furthermore, noteworthy artifacts include pieces from the Hunnic Gold Hoard of Nagyszéksós, unearthed in 1926 and dating back to the 6th to 10th centuries.
3. Reök-Palota
Designed in 1907 by the visionary Secessionist architect Ede Magyar, often referred to as the “Hungarian Gaudí”, this enchanting palace was commissioned by chief water engineer Iván Reök. The design reflects a water theme, suitable for the fluidity of the Art Nouveau style, incorporating pastel blue water lilies on the facade, wave-like wall surfaces, and wrought-iron balcony rails evocative of aquatic plants.
Visit during sunset for an exceptional photo opportunity, as the greens and lilacs of the facade appear to radiate.
Restored in 2007, Reök-Palota now serves as a cultural center, hosting temporary art exhibitions featuring works by artists such as Chagall, Rembrandt, and Picasso, along with concerts, theater productions, and various events.
4. Szeged Synagogue
As Hungary’s second-largest synagogue and the fourth-largest globally, the Neolog Synagogue captivates visitors with its vast dimensions and exquisite ivory blue and gold decor.
Completed in 1907, it exemplifies a blend of Historicism and Art Nouveau, featuring an array of symbolic elements within its interior.
The central dome rises nearly 50 meters high, adorned with celestial blue windows crafted by acclaimed glass artist Manó Róth, who also created the synagogue’s ethereal stained glass.
The dome is supported by 24 columns, representing the hours of the day, while the rose motifs signify Revelation.
Within the triumphal arch, the Second Commandment, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” is inscribed in both Hebrew and Hungarian.
The synagogue is renowned for its exceptional acoustics and frequently hosts classical concerts.
5. Serbian Orthodox Church
Situated near the contemporary border between two nations, Szeged has been home to a significant Serbian minority for centuries.
This influx can be traced back to the Ottoman advance following the Battle of Kosovo in the 14th century.
After Szeged was liberated from the Ottomans in 1686, even more Serbs settled in the area.
This landmark structure, located just behind the Votive Church, was constructed at the end of the 18th century.
It represents the second Orthodox Church on this site and the fourth overall within the city.
The late-Baroque architecture is understated, concealing the splendid Rococo iconostasis situated at the end of the nave.
Numerous icons, painted by Serbian Baroque artist Jovan Popović in 1761 for the church’s predecessor, are displayed, each framed within intricate gold patterns.
6. Dóm Square
This brick-paved square, situated in front of the Votive Church, is part of a larger architectural ensemble established during the 1930s.
It boasts impressive acoustics, surrounded by arcaded university and ecclesiastical buildings that contribute to its grandeur.
Since 1930, Dóm Square has served as the venue for the Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok, a summer festival featuring operas, concerts, theater performances, and literary recitals.
The south and east sides of the square host university departments, while the diocesan museum, episcopal palace, and college of theology are located to the west.
Within the arcades is the National Pantheon, showcasing over 100 statues honoring notable Hungarians.
7. Dömötör Tower
Located adjacent to the main facade of the Votive Church on Dóm Square, Dömötör Tower is the oldest structure in Szeged.
Its foundations date back to the 1000s, featuring Romanesque lower floors from the 1100s and Gothic upper floors from the 1200s.
Originally part of the now-demolished St. Demetrius Church, the tower reflects Rhenish Romanesque architectural influences from France and Germany.
The upper part of the tower includes 48 ogival windows arranged across three levels.
Within the tower, a baptistery chapel was added following renovations in 1931. Above the entrance lies a replica of the oldest known sculpture in Szeged, depicting the Lamb of God from the 12th century.
8. City Hall
The neo-Baroque City Hall, situated on the western side of Széchenyi Square, is the third iteration of this structure at the site.
The previous building was severely damaged by the 1879 flood, leading architects Ödön Lechner and Gyula Pártos to create a design featuring an additional floor and the iconic central spire.
The exterior showcases the covered “Bridge of Sighs,” inspired by Venice, which connects the City Hall to the adjacent council building.
Emperor Franz Joseph’s visit in 1883 to inaugurate the new City Hall is commemorated by his inscription, declaring, “Szeged will be more beautiful than it used to be,” located on the central staircase’s middle window.
A statue of a phoenix on the facade’s pediment serves as another reminder of the flood’s impact.
There are opportunities for guided tours on advance arrangements, and during the summer, open-air music performances take place in the courtyard.
9. Széchenyi Square
This landscaped five-hectare square is adorned with Eclectic-style mansions and monuments, such as City Hall and Hotel Tisza, historically frequented by renowned writers, composers, and poets.
Prior to the 1879 flood, Széchenyi Square served as a marketplace and parade ground encircled by the city castle’s western walls.
Following Szeged’s liberation from Ottoman rule and its re-establishment as a Free Royal City in 1715, the square evolved into the city’s administrative hub.
Beyond its considerable size and the impressive surrounding architecture, the verdant landscapes of plane trees, empress trees, and magnolia are particularly striking.
Prominently displayed among the flowerbeds are solemn monuments honoring significant Hungarian figures, including statesman István Széchenyi and politician Lajos Tisza, who oversaw Szeged’s reconstruction post-flood.
10. Klauzál Square
In the early 2000s, Klauzál Square and Kárász Street, located just south of Széchenyi Square, underwent a comprehensive renovation that earned Szeged the European Nostra Award for heritage in 2004. This elongated, rectangular square is a splendid area, characterized by grand three-story mansions in Eclectic, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau architectural styles prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The square is dotted with cafes spilling into the space, at the center of which stands a statue of Lajos Kossuth, the president of Hungary during the Revolution of 1848-49 against Habsburg rule.
11. University Botanical Garden
When the University of Kolozsvár moved to Szeged in the 1920s, an expansive area was designated for a botanical garden on the city’s southern perimeter.
This location is renowned for two notable species: the towering metasequoia (dawn redwood), a conifer native to southern China, and the Indian lotus, which has flourished in its pond, enhanced by a Buddha sculpture, for over eight decades.
If your visit coincides with July, witnessing the blooming lotus in the garden is a must.
The garden also hosts collections of industrial and agricultural plant species, organized according to their utility in food production, dyes, medicine, or fibers for fabrics and ropes.
12. Water Tower
Prominently positioned in Szent István Square is a 46-meter-tall water tower constructed in 1904. This structure is notable as it was the first in Hungary to employ reinforced concrete, designed by Szilárd Zielinski, a pioneer of this construction technique.
The tower continues to serve its original function, storing over 1,000 cubic meters of water.
From April to October, visitors can ascend the tower for scenic vistas of Szeged, accompanied by an exhibition on physics, which includes a Foucault Pendulum illustrating Earth’s rotation.
At the base of the tower, a paved walkway features bronze busts of the architects who reshaped Szeged’s cityscape post-flood.
13. Napfényfürdő Aquapolis
Nestled along the left bank of the Tisza, this indoor water park and pool complex features slides for children and fitness facilities alongside thermal treatments for adults. It boasts 13 slides, totaling a cumulative length of one kilometer.
This includes the Blue Anaconda, recognized as the longest year-round covered slide in Europe, extending 272 meters from a 30-meter platform.
Older children may enjoy the Kamikaze slide, offering a near-freefall experience that reaches the splash pool in as little as two seconds.
For adult guests, various wellness options are available including mud wraps, carbon dioxide baths, underwater massages, and physiotherapy sessions, complemented by amenities such as a Finnish sauna, steam room, jacuzzis, and a 25-meter training pool.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is also provided throughout the facility.
14. Szeged Zoo
Located 2.5 kilometers from Szeged’s center, the largest zoo in Hungary opened its doors in 1989 with an emphasis on animal conservation, constructing habitats that closely replicate the natural environments of the species.
The layout is organized geographically, facilitating navigation and allowing visitors to time their visit to coincide with regular feeding sessions.
Szeged Zoo actively engages in breeding programs for species such as giant anteaters, marmosets, and snow leopards, making headlines in 2012 with the birth of three snow leopard cubs.
Additionally, the zoo is home to a variety of popular animals, including giraffes, lions, penguins, tigers, meerkats, and tapirs.
15. Paprika
The captivating countryside surrounding Szeged is renowned for its paprika production, positioning the city as Hungary’s capital for this beloved spice.
Enhanced by the abundant sunlight characteristic of this southern region, the cultivation of capsicum thrives, offering visitors a chance to learn more about this ingredient at the Pick brand’s combined salami and paprika museum.
A variety of sweet and hot paprika is available for purchase at souvenir shops throughout Szeged.
Paprika is an essential component of Hungary’s national dish, goulash, a hearty stew comprised of meat and vegetables.
Locally, hot paprika features prominently in halászlé, or fisherman’s soup, a zesty dish made with carp, catfish, sturgeon, and perch, paired with green peppers, tomatoes, and red onions.
