Sights
Szeged’s Dome Square is surrounded by architectural masterpieces, and standing on its cobblestones you can feel as if you are in a world of living culture and history. The jewel of Szeged dazzles visitors at any time of the year with its unified style, harmonious layout and charming atmosphere.
The Dome Square can accommodate up to 5,000 people due to its huge size, which rivals that of St Mark’s Square in Venice. A long walk through the ring of monumental buildings or a shady spot to listen to the chimes is an experience for the ages. Nor need you fear that the bustle of the city will disturb your historical contemplation, for its public nature is accompanied by a peaceful silence. Its acoustic qualities have made it the venue of the Szeged Open Air Festival since 1931.
Twice a day, at 12:15 and 17:45, the colourful lime-tree figures of a cute clockwork on the upper floor of one of the buildings imitate a school graduation. The figures of Kuno Klebelsberg, Kelemen Mikes or Sándor Petőfi can be spotted among the figures carved by clockmaker Ferenc Csury.
Szeged’s imposing and decorative building, the Dome of Szeged, or more formally known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady of Hungary, is the only church in Hungary built in the 20th century. The neo-Romanesque church is more than 80 metres high and has been awarded the title of the 5th tallest church in Hungary.
The Szeged Dome Visitor Centre is located in the old church of the Dome, a multifunctional tourist and cultural facility. Its exhibition space houses a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions, mostly of a religious and secular nature.
The western tower of the Szeged Dome, facing the city, is open to visitors. The 46-metre-high observation deck is accessed via more than 300 steps, offering a magnificent panorama of the city of Szeged. On the resting floors, short films and information desks present the history of the church and the diocese.
The Ferenc Mora Museum is located in the centre of Szeged, at the junction of the Tisza riverbank and the downtown bridge, and its historic building is one of the city’s defining symbols. The building is considered to be a prominent cultural centre of the region. In addition to its constantly renewed exhibitions, the institution is a centre of archaeological, ethnographic and literary research, as well as historical, natural history and numismatic research.
The Szeged National Theatre is an eclectic, neo-baroque theatre built in 1883 by Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer. It opened its doors to the public in mid-October 1883. the theatre burnt down completely in 1885. The building was quickly restored by the city authorities and was open again in 1886.
On the 100th anniversary of its reopening in 1886, the restored building was opened to the public. Since then, the Szeged National Theatre has been waiting for performance lovers in its original splendour.
The New Synagogue in Szeged is the second largest synagogue in Hungary and the fourth largest in the world. It was designed by Lipot Baumhorn, who had already designed 22 synagogues between 1900 and 1902. The synagogue, built in eclectic style, is decorated with Baroque, Gothic, Romanesque and Art Nouveau elements, among others, and its triumphal arch bears the biblical command “Love thy neighbour…” in Hungarian and Hebrew.
The interior of the monument is dominated by ivory, but the blue and gold decorations create a stunning harmony.
Its excellent acoustics and nearly 1400 seats make it the perfect venue for concerts of light or classical music.
Located in the centre of Szeged, at the corner of Tisza Lajos Boulevard and Kossuth Lajos Avenue, the Anna Fountain is the first source of thermal water in the South Great Plain region.
The two taps of the 944-metre-deep well produce cold artesian water, while the other two taps produce 52-degree alkaline-iodine medicinal water. Near the well is the Anna Spa, Thermal and Pleasure Bath, which is supplied with thermal water from the well. The Anna Spa, Thermal and Experience Bath is located in the centre of Szeged and has been open for more than 100 years. In a truly impressive monumental building, bathers can relax and unwind. The beautiful building of the Anna Baths houses a thermal bath and a wellness bath.
The Sunshine Baths Aquapolis offers adventure, wellness and Europe’s longest water slide. Szeged’s colourful aquatic and spa centre offers meaningful, relaxing recreation for families, couples and groups of friends in all four seasons.
The Szeged Zoo is not only the largest zoo in Hungary, but also the youngest. Visitors can see mainly rare and endangered species, but the section on South American animals is also very popular. In Hungary, the Szeged Zoo is the only place to see special species such as the maned wolf, the dwarf sloth lemur, the gazelle with golyvas and many others.
The Szeged Botanical Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the country, with a vast area, beautiful surroundings and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
The garden, which is part of the University of Szeged, is responsible for collection management, the protection and conservation of endangered plant species, as well as education and outreach. The garden also organises a number of interesting events, such as World Water Day, Earth Day, Bird and Tree Day and the Lotus Days, which attract many travellers every year.
The water tower on Szent István Square is open to the public on the first Saturday of every month from April 1 to October 31 between 10 am and 4 pm. On these days, anyone can visit the water tower and its exhibitions without prior appointment. In addition, advance booking is required! Thanks to its unique style, the Water Tower of Szeged is a rather characteristic building of the city.