Hungarian City of Queens to become European Capital of Culture?

Photo: MTI

The fact that the government has provided 39 billion forints (EUR 110m) to support a large-scale upgrade of episcopal buildings in Veszprém, a European Capital of Culture in 2023, goes to show that it is committed to the city not only politically but financially as well, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén said in Veszprem on Friday.

The grant will cover the overhaul of several episcopal buildings including the cathedral, smaller churches, the Archbishop’s Palace, administrative offices, and museum and community spaces in Veszprém Castle, Semjén told a press conference in the city in western Hungary, which is a county seat and a historically important religious centre.

Photo: MTI/Tamás Vasvári

He noted that the large-scale renovation of the buildings in the castle area is a project signalling the development of the city as next year’s cultural capital itself and its region as well. “The development will also serve that the city and its region can thrive spiritually, intellectually and economically,” Semjén said.

Read also: Veszprém – The city of Queens – PHOTOS

Veszprém became the first episcopal seat of Hungary in 1009 and an archiepiscopal seat in 1993. It was the favorite city of Queen Gisela, the wife of St. Stephen, Hungary’s first king.