Esztergom, Visegrád, Szentendre
The above term signifies the twenty kilometre long bend of the Danube and its surrounding environment, including the extensive holiday area. (see the map below)
Both banks of the river are quite rich in natural assets and monuments. At Zebegény, the flow of the Danube turns from an east-westerly direction toward the south, then abruptly moves toward the east, then once again turns north at Visegrád, and finally flows south again
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When passing through the pleasant holiday village, Pilismarót, we arrive to the "western gate" of the Danube Bend.
Esztergom is the centre of the Hungarian Roman Catholic church. The primate of Esztergom is the highest ranking dignitary of the church in Hungary. The city is also of historical significance. St. Stephen, the first Hungarian king, was born here; he was crowned in this town and he also died here. He founded the archbishopric of Esztergom. The chief priests heading the church possessed great knowledge and always did much to disseminate culture and education in the country.>
The main cathedral built in the 19th century is the largest church in Hungary. Franz Liszt composed the Esztergom Mass For the consecration of the church, and he personally conducted the piece at the ceremony. The Bakócz chapel is the artistic attraction of the church, built in the 16th century as a sepulchral chapel of the archbishop.
The Cathedral Treasury houses Hungary's largest and most valuable church collection. The library in the basilica is the oldest and one of the largest ones in the country. The Christian Museum exhibits the art objects of avid art collector bishops.
The royal palace of the Árpád dynasty kings built in the 11-12th centuries, later the archbishop's palace, is just a few metres away from the cathedral, and the ruins still project an ancient grandeur.
The "real" scenic Danube Bend begins at Visegrád. "A royal country!", claimed an English traveller in the last century, referring to the charming beauty of the landscape extending up to Esztergom.
The Romans built a fortress at the settlement located at the foot of the steep rocks of the Visegrád Mountains. The Lower and Upper Castle of Visegrád was built in the 13th century. The ruins of the 15th century gothic-renaissance royal residence, much preferred by King Matthias, are still stunning in their beauty.
Each summer, the International Palace Games reestablish the past. Beyond the attraction of the monuments, many visitors also come to witness the spectacular panorama opening from the citadel. The unique location of the thermal baths in Lepence warrants in itself a visit. Visegrád is also a paradise for nature lovers: the well-kept meadows, forest paths are great for picnics and the summer bobsledge track offers additional variety for visitors and holiday goers
If we continue our exploring trip we arrive in Szentendre, the southern gate to the Danube Bend.
The tiny town squares, meandering streets, Serb temples, baroque bourgeois buildings contribute to a uniquely picturesque, Mediterranean atmosphere. The south European atmosphere can be traced back to Serbs who fled the Turks, forming the town in their native traditions.
Today, Szentendre is the town of museums. Many museums and galleries exhibit the works of artists who lived or currently live in the artists' quarter established in the past century. Hungary's largest outdoor ethno¬graphic museum is located less than three kilometres from the city center.
The 46 hectare area exhibits the folk architecture of four Hungarian regions, the life styles and living customs of villages and boroughs, presented in virtually original surroundings.
Szentendre is also famous for its churches. Among the Serb temples, the iconostasis of the Greek Orthodox Episcopal cathedral is most impressive.
The artifacts of Hungarian Orthodox ecclesiastical art-icons, goldsmith artifacts, textiles - can be viewed in the Serb Orthodox Ecclesiastical Art Collection.
You can have fun in Szentendre. The restaurants, confectioneries and little shops in the tiny streets projecting From Fő square welcome many guests all year round.
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