From colourful buildings to dynamic forms and interesting patterns: whenever you visit Szeged, you will undoubtedly be blown away by its masterpieces of Art Nouveau. The name Ede Magyar is now synonymous with the style in this town on the southern Great Plain. The architect designed several buildings in a matter of eight years, including the Reformed Palace and Ungár-Meyer Palace. His most well-known work is Reök Palace, which was built in 1907 and currently operates as an art centre. It is one of the must-see sights in Szeged where, apart from the beautiful interior, you will also find an excellent confectioner’s shop. On your tour, you should visit the buildings of the Tömörkény István Grammar and Art School, the Szígyártó House and the Móricz House on Szent István tér. While you are on the square, be sure to visit the Art Nouveau water tower, known to locals as the Old Lady, as well. The tower is open to the public on the first Saturday of every month between 1 April and 31 October, and you will have a wonderful view of the town when you get up to the top. Art Nouveau is also the style in which the Gróf Palace on Tisza Lajos körút was built. Finally, take a walk around the town hall, designed by Ödön Lechner, where you can hear the bells chime every hour.
It’s not to be missed!
Szeged Cathedral is an inevitable must-see sight in Szeged. It is one of the largest cathedrals in the country, and was designed by one of the most influential architects of the 19th century, Frigyes Schulek. The square that surrounds the building and its two towers is home to the world famous University of Szeged: this is where Albert Szent-Györgyi managed to extract vitamin C from the paprika grown in Szeged, for the first time anywhere in the world. The bust of the scientist is found in the Pantheon – a collection of portraits of all the famous scientists and artists who had some ties to the town – under the arcades that surround the square. The synagogue in Szeged is considered to be among the most beautiful in Europe. Its size alone is impressive: it can house up to 1,340 people, and is worth a visit just to see the interior design of the cupola, which represents the world itself. If you are hungry for a little culture, head over to Móra Ferenc Museum where, among other things, you will find exciting natural history and folklore exhibitions.
