Overview of Szeged

(about Szeged, Hungary, added on Apr 30, 2009)

An overview of the city

Szeged is the capital of Csongrad County near the Hungarian border, on the Great Plain and it is the fourth largest city of the country. The territory was populated since the New Stone Age although the city was established later, on three larger islands raised from the flood basin on the left bank of the Tisza River on a place full of cavities and marshes that the inhabitants of the city gradually filled so by the 18th century the territory of Szeged became unified. It is said that the fearful Attila the Hun also had the center of his empire in the area. Szeged has about 160,000 inhabitants and because it is a border city, several minority groups make the life of the city more colorful. The University of Szeged is probably the most distinguished university in Hungary, the Academic ranking of World Universities ranked it 203-300th on the complete list and first in national ranking.

Szeged - Attractions

The 500 year old Franciscan Church and Monastery is the second oldest of its kind in Hungary having its annual church fair on 5 August. It is a wonderful example of the gothic architecture that is linked to numerous Hungarian historical personalities. The city has a waste scale of churches of the different denominations from different ages. The famous Szeged Observatory can also be visited by those who want to take a closer look on the Universe that surrounds us. The Wildlife Park of Szeged is one of the youngest zoos in the country specialized in endangered species lying on 44 ha of natural forest showing the animals in sections correspondent to continents. The city has the second oldest water tower in the country built in 1904 and gained specific industrial protection in 2003.

‘Hungaricum’ in Szeged

A whole museum is dedicated to two especially Hungarian products that make Szeged world-famous and are the bases of its economy. It is called the Pick Salami and Szeged Paprika Museum having the name of the two well known brands. The Pick Salami is made of pork meat on the basis of the original, century old receipt with secret ingredients, cold smoking and with a noble-mould on its surface. The Szeged Paprika is made by the special processing of the paprika traditional cultivated on the fields surrounding Szeged the area having a favorable environment.

Why to try Szeged?

Szeged is one of those beautiful cities in Hungary that really worth visiting, this article is intended to be only a foretaste of what you can see and experience in this hospitable city. It can easily be approached from Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on the E75 international route or by train.