Big cities in Hungary – 5 facts you may not know about Esztergom – PHOTOS

For most of the people, Budapest is the first thing that comes to their mind when they think about Hungary. This country is beautiful, and it has many other beautiful cities. We have already written about Győr, Szeged, Debrecen, Veszprém, Sopron, Pápa, Kecskemét, Szekszárd, Tatabánya, Salgótarján, Kaposvár, Szombathely, and many other cities. Now, let us take a look at Esztergom.

Esztergom lies in the Danube bend in North Hungary and is the county seat of Komárom-Esztergom county. It is about 40 kilometres away from Budapest. It has only about 30,000 inhabitants. However, according to the 2018 Happiness Map, the county is one of the happiest ones in Hungary. It has a rich history: it is the city where Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary, was born and also crowned.

Sights

Visitors can take a walk in the city and admire the wonderful sights of Esztergom. One of the most beautiful squares is Saint Stephen Square. It lies in a spectacular area; on the castle hill, next to the Basilica.

Széchenyi Square is the main square of the city that had been a market square back in the time. In 2006, the place was entirely renovated so that it can offer the original look of the square. There are stone sculptures and even a fountain by the restaurants and bars.

It is a great choice to visit the Statue of King Saint Stephen for those who are interested in a historical masterpiece and the mesmerising view around it. The statue depicts the coronation of Saint Stephen, who was the first king of Hungary. The panorama is fantastic during the day, but the statue also has a lovely look by the lights at night.

The Danube

Water plays a remarkable role in Esztergom‘s life. First of all, the city lies by the Danube. Here, this river also means a natural border between Hungary and Slovakia. Esztergom’s most famous bridge, the Valeria Maria Bridge connects Esztergom with the Slovakian Párkány. It was built in 1895, and it is 518 metres long and 12 metres wide. Therefore, it is possible to drive or even walk through this bridge admiring the beautiful Danube bend. The Small-Danube Walkway leads visitors through the royal part of the city, connecting many sights. Additionally, there are green areas attached to the walkway, where one can find restaurants, shops, and playgrounds.

Lake Palatinus

Lake Palatinus is situated between Dorog and Esztergom cities, and the Pilis and the Gerecse Mountains surround it. It is an artificial lake that is fostered only by groundwater. Lake Palatinus has one of the clearest waters in Hungary. It is 840 metres long and 350 metres wide and has a rectangle shape. Palatinus Tófürdő has a beach on the shallow part of the lake. The area offers a nice walking and biking opportunity and it is perfect for a summer picnic.