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Sopron, the beautiful gem of Western Hungary – PHOTOS
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For many, Sopron might be familiar because of the famous VOLT Festival, which became quite a sizeable music festival over the years. Still, this lovely city on the Western border of Hungary is a lot more than that.
The region has been inhabited since the prehistoric times, and in the Roman period, the city was called ‘Scarbantia’ which is a very important and determining factor in the city’s image. Two main roads went through the city, and the remains of these stone-paved roads and other ruins are a great part of the city’s sights as well as its style and atmosphere. The forum of the Roman town is today’s main square and the majority of the ruins are around that area. There is even a museum under the city’s iconic ‘Tűztorony’ (Fire Tower).
Another view of the old town Photo: Országalbum / MUKKSHOW 
A part of the old town Photo: Országalbum / ROSSZQTYA 
The view from ‘Tűztorony’ (the mountain is Schneeberg) Photo: Országalbum / MUKKSHOW 
Gate under ‘Tűztorony’ Photo: Országalbum / ISTVÁN 1949 
‘Tűztorony’ and a part of the old town at night Photo: Országalbum / ROSSZQTYA
Tourists can not only visit the museum under the tower or can even go up into it to admire the view of the beautiful inner old town and the mesmerising surroundings of the city far away. To be honest, it is quite a good city for a lot of different people.
For those who like old buildings, façades, and old wooden doorways, the city offers a lot to discover, and there are also a lot of stone walls left over from Medieval times.
Sopron is the second wealthiest city in Hungary by the number of monuments, and also, it is quite a green and colourful city compared to Budapest, for example. The inner city has many restaurants and cafés, some of them are relatively hidden in the narrow roads between older buildings, but they have a wide variety.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons József Bikkessy Heinbucher 
The Coat of Arms of Sopron. Civitas Fidelissima is written in the circle Source: Wikimedia Commons / Madboy74 
Civitas Fidelissima Door Ornament in Sopron Source: Wikimedia Commons / Vadaro
Due to the historical importance of the city, it was honoured the title ‘Civitas Fidelissima’ which means the ‘most loyal’ as after the Treaty of Trianon, the inhabitants of the town voted to stay part of Hungary. Near Sopron, just outside the city in Bánfalva, there is a graveyard called ‘Hősi temető’ (heroes’ cemetery) which is a very peaceful area away from the noise of the city with a lot of beautiful gravestones near nature. If you like to contemplate in peace, it is worth a visit.
