The resort town of Keszthely is the oldest municipality in Hungary. There are many historical and natural places of interest here. It attracts tourists with its history, the opportunity to make a cultural program – excursions, visits to museums. In summer you can sunbathe and swim in Lake Balaton. But before you go to this city, you need to find out what Keszthely , Hungary is famous for – attractions, location, museums and exhibitions.
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Location how to get there
Keszthely is located in the southwestern part of Hungary, 190 km from Budapest. The advantages of this location are that a railway line and several highways pass through it. From the capital of Hungary, the road will take 3 hours by bus and about 1 hour by car. An alternative way is to sail from another city located on the shores of Lake Balaton to the local pier.
Interesting facts about the resort:
- The population is 20200 people.
- The first mention in historical documents is 1247.
- Until that time, there was a Roman settlement in this area.
- The city was bought in the 18th century by the noble Festetics family .
The latter initiated the construction of the third largest palace in Hungary. To travel by car, choose the M7 toll motorway. When booking a room in a hotel or inn, you can order a transfer from Budapest Airport or Bus Station. The price of the service is from 110 Euro. There are regular bus services to the city from Budapest South Railway Station. The fare is 3700 forints.
Festetics Palace
Festetics family decided to build their new residence in the 18th century. They chose Lake Balaton, famous for its clear waters and thermal springs. The first version of the palace appeared in the suburban area in the first half of the 19th century. Over time, it began to grow and became a tourist attraction in Keszthely , Hungary. Now it functions as a museum.
Festetics Palace :
- The complex includes a building with 40 halls.
- There is a large park area with a well-groomed garden, gazebos and paths for walking.
- The palace housed a library with over 100,000 books.
- The building was expanded until the end of the 19th century.
Currently, the facade of the palace is made in the neo – baroque style. Inside there are about 100 office and excursion rooms. Sightseeing tours are organized for tourists and independent travelers. Attraction location – Kastely u. -one.
Town Square
The pride of the resort town is the central square. The city hall and the column of the Holy Trinity were built here. The area has a rectangular shape, cafes and restaurants are located on the first floors of the houses. Pleasant lighting works at night. Therefore, this is a favorite place for walking locals and tourists.
Town Hall in Keszthely , Hungary is a landmark known to vacationers and citizens. It does not stand out from the background of the rest of the historical architecture, the facade is made in the classical baroque style. The column and town hall were built in the 19th century. Due to hostilities, they were repeatedly restored.
Tourists can walk along the large pedestrian area. To do this, you need to walk along Kossuth street , along which there are souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes. Here are examples of classical European architecture from the late Renaissance. City Hall building and cultural center. Goldmark are located in this territory.
After passing through the arch, a view of the city synagogue will open. This building was the most destroyed, so little of its original appearance remains. Now the facade is made in the eclectic style.
Church of the Franciscans
The oldest attraction of Keszthely is the Franciscan church. This building does not have such luxurious architecture as the monuments described above. But it is famous for one factor – it is the oldest church in the city. It was built in 1386 and became one of the first Christian monasteries in Hungary. During the Turkish conquest, it was turned into a fortress. Then the authorities restored it and added new elements to the ensemble.
Interesting Facts:
- The bell tower was added in the 19th century.
- Inside the cathedral, an old Gothic fresco has been preserved.
- The Franciscan Church is a historical monument of Hungary.
- In front of the building there is a monument to Lakfi Palatine on horseback.
Now it is open to visitors, but services are not held in it. Inside the temple, you can get acquainted with the cathedrals of the interior, see several small sights of Keszthely . The church is located at Fő ter – 9.
Museums in Keszthely
Tourists visit the resort for the sake of staying at Lake Balaton, visiting historical places and therapeutic rest at thermal springs. Unlike other cities, Keszthely has many museums. They can pleasantly “dilute” the rest – make it comfortable and informative. Their advantage is location. Museums are located within the city limits and can be reached on foot.
Hunting Museum
In Keszthely , Hungary, this attraction appeared in 2008. By decision of the city administration, the museum was placed in the Festetics Palace . In its expositions there are all kinds of animals living in Hungary and Europe. They are found in corners that mimic their natural habitats.
Its visit is recommended for adults and young tourists. It is recommended to leave brochures and excursion programs with you. There you can buy books and atlases of animals.
Georgikon Museum
To get acquainted with the peculiarities of the country’s agriculture, you need to visit the Georgikon Museum . It is located in the building of an agricultural school, which is not currently teaching. The exposition was founded in 1979 on the initiative of Györda Festetic . This is a famous citizen who has made a great contribution to the preservation of the culture and heritage of the city.
The museum has a large exposition of agricultural machinery, items for cultivating the land of different eras. There are household items of the Hungarians. You can allocate 2-3 hours for a visit, as the exhibition is relatively small.
Balaton Museum
It is completely dedicated to the lake, often the exposition tells about Keszthely in Hungary – sights, interesting facts. The exhibition is divided into a description of the animal, plant world and people inhabiting the shores of the lake. The latter includes many archaeological finds.
To visit the unique collection, you need to drive 2 km from the center of the resort city. You need to spend all day to see it. After that, you can walk through a large park, look at Lake Balaton.