The list of things to do here really is endless
Here is the list of our top 10 things to see and do in Szentendre
The Margit Kovács Museum is one of Szentendre’s best known attractions
dedicated to the work of artist Margit Kovács (1902-1977)
The collection consists of a number of clay pieces including plates
many featuring images of the artist’s mother
Kovács’ works are a tribute to her Hungarian roots and this exhibition is definitely a must visit for anyone interested in the contemporary culture of the county
visitors are not allowed to take any photographs
but the distinctive style is memorable enough
ecstk22 / Shutterstock Fő Tér (Main Square) Tours This town’s marvellous main square is situated in the very heart of Szentendre
This is the point from where everything in the town begins
and it is surrounded by a selection of shops
A medieval town that was rebuilt in the 17th century
clearly portrayed in the main square with its cobbled streets and old style buildings
For those seeking to visit and explore Szentendre
Sanga Park / Shutterstock Located just off of the main square
Blagovestenska Church is probably the best known of the nine churches within Szentendre
It is a Greek-Orthodox church built in the 18th century by settlers living in the town’s Greek Quarter
this church is certainly something to be marvelled at
Although the church does not look very ‘eastern’ from the outside
the beautiful interior decor is breath-taking
Visitors are greeted by wooden frescoes of St Constantine and St Helene whilst the interior features a beautiful iconostase
Paintings by artist Mihailo Zivkovic are seen within the church and can appear quite daunting as the eyes follow you on your tour
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© Christo/WikiCommons The Retro Design Center is a brilliant collection of items dating back to the 1970’s
there is definitely something here that will catch the interest of everybody
Cars are beautifully renovated and many items will actually be recognisable to those who grew up around this era
It is just like stepping into a time portal and with a brilliantly priced entry fee
the island is found between Budapest and the Danube Bend
It is a truly magical visit and one that all visitors to Szentendre should take
the island is home to a number of villages including Kisoroszi and Horány
It is also known as priest’s island and is regularly hosts the Lipizzan Horse Show
It provides a taste of true Hungarian life and the way it used to be many years ago
There is a ferry service that can take visitors here from Tahitótfalu
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The Szentendre Éjjel-Nappal Nyitva (Szentendre Open Night and Day) festival begins on Friday and will continue until Sunday
offering approximately 150 events at 50 locations throughout the town
organized through the collaboration of the town’s cultural institutions
The museums in Szentendre will extend their opening hours and offer a variety of special programmes
including an international contemporary jewellery exhibition and an applied arts jewellery market
according to the statement released on Monday by the Szentendre Cultural Centre
new locations are added to the festival map
one such venue is the Karnevál Kávéház és Gasztrobár in the main square
where works by István ef Zámbó and László feLugossy will be displayed in the ReStArt exhibition
Another new feature this year is the End-of-Summer Multidisciplinary Day
hosted by the Szentendre Old Artists’ Colony
The concert series will kick off on Friday with a performance by the big band of the Szentendre Garrison Support Command of the Hungarian Defence Forces
This year’s programme includes performances by several bands celebrating significant anniversaries
The closing concert on Sunday evening will be given by the Vujicsics Ensemble
Traditional programme elements will also return this year
including light projections on the Main Square
an outdoor exhibition along the Bükkös Stream
a charity duck race organized by the Rotary Club
and a community painting event on the Templom Hill
The thematic city tours will offer costumed and folk art walks
and guided walks titled ‘Museum Promenade’ and ‘Fairy Tale Museum Promenade’ by the Ferenczy Museum Centre (FMC)
The Hamvas Béla Pest County Library will host a literary therapy session
and film enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the day and night programmes at P’Art Cinema
and shop owners will once again welcome visitors
while there will also be a Japan Fest and the Dumtsa Craft Market showcasing applied arts
Hosts’ programme series require registration or an admission ticket
Organizers advise that parking in the centre of Szentendre is limited
so visitors are encouraged to use public transport or arrive on foot if possible
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Full Screen1 / 14Previous photoNext photoWomen save a cat from floods in Szentendre
as the Danube river flooded its banks on Thursday
(AP Photo/Denes Erdos)An aerial view of Danube River and a flooded neighbourhood in Szentendre
(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)A view of a damaged village of Mikulovice as residents return to clean after recent floods in Czech Republic
(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)A woman stands by a river as residents return to clean up after recent floods near Pisecna
(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)A young man throws a piece of wood as residents return to clean up after recent floods in Mikulovice
(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)A woman gets a bucket of water as residents return to clean up after recent floods in Mikulovice
(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)A view of a damaged house after recent floods near Pisecna
(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)General view of the Parliament building as the Danube river floods its banks
(AP Photo/Denes Erdos)This handout photo provided by the State Fire Service of Poland
shows firefighters work at a cite of a flooding
(Tomasz Fijolek/KG PSP via AP)European Commmission President Ursula von der Leyen
Pool)An aerial view of a flooded neighbourhood in Szentendre
(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)A kid jumps to his canoe from the fence of his flooded house on the outskirts of Szentendre
as the Danube river floods its banks on Thursday
(AP Photo/Denes Erdos)People use a canoe on the outskirts of Szentendre
(AP Photo/Denes Erdos)Women save a cat from floods in Szentendre
Women save a cat from floods in Szentendre
Von der Leyen paid a quick visit to a flood-damaged area in southeastern Poland and met with heads of the governments of the affected countries — Poland
She said funds will be made available quickly for infrastructure repair from the EU’s solidarity fund
as well as 10 billion euros ($11 billion) from what is called the cohesion fund — for the most urgent repairs
no co-financing will be required from these countries for the money to be released
no co-financing,” von der Leyen told a news briefing
and extraordinary times need extraordinary measures
Meanwhile, a massive flood wave threatened new areas and heavy rains also caused flooding and evacuation of some 1,000 people in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna
the receding waters revealed the scale of the destruction caused by exceptionally heavy rains that began a week ago
Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakušan said one more person was reported killed on Thursday in the country's hard-hit northeast
There were also seven deaths each in Poland and Romania
and five in Austria — with the overall death toll now at 24
soldiers joined firefighters and other emergency crews to help with the recovery efforts
Army helicopters distributed humanitarian aid while soldiers were building temporary bridges in place of those that were swept away
Some 400 people remained evacuated from the homes in the regional capital of Ostrava
the level of the Luznice River reached an extreme high but the evacuation of 1,000 people in the town of Veseli nad Luznici was not necessary for the moment
where flooding washed away roads and led to landslides and bridge damage
Firefighters and soldiers pumped water and mud out of houses and disposed of damaged furniture
broadcaster ORF quoted fire department spokesperson Klaus Stebal as saying
said reconstruction was expected to take years
The Vienna public transport company has had to pump almost 1 million liters (260,000 gallons) of water since last weekend
Ten towns and areas were still inaccessible on Thursday
flood waters continued to rise as authorities closed roads and rail stations
water spilled over the city’s lower quays and threatened to reach tram and metro lines
homes and restaurants near the riverbanks were inundated
including members of Hungary’s water authority and military
and prison inmates were involved in filling sandbags
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at a news conference Thursday
The Danube stood at over 771 centimeters (25 feet)
approaching the 891-centimeter (29.2 feet) record set during major flooding in 2013
the high waters reached the city of Wroclaw and an extended wave was expected to take many hours
The water level on the Oder River just before Wroclaw was 6.4 meters (21 feet)
some 2 meters (6.5 feet) above alarm levels but still lower compared to the disastrous flooding in 1997
In the two most-affected towns, Stronie Slaskie and Ladek-Zdroj, tap water and power were restored, said Gen. Michal Kamieniecki, who was put in charge of the recovery operations there after an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for help the day before by a young woman identified only as Katarzyna
Tusk invited von der Leyen to Wroclaw to see the situation first hand
Government leaders from the Czech Republic
rivers flooded in the provinces of Ravenna
as local mayors asked people to stay on the upper floors or leave their houses
Those areas were hit by devastating floods in 2023
Italy’s vice minister for transport and infrastructure
said Thursday that two people were reported missing in Bagnocavallo
At least 800 residents in Ravenna and almost 200 in Bologna province spent the night in shelters
Trains were suspended and schools closed while residents were advised to avoid travel
Associated Press writers Justin Spike in Budapest
Karel Janicek in Prague and Giada Zampano in Rome contributed to this report
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the Szentendre Open Air Ethnographic Museum
brings to life the old village Easter celebrations with sprinkling
It's a full-on family-friendly event
(Cover photo: Szentendre Open Air Ethnographic Museum - Facebook)
Swarms of mayflies are pictured in Szentendre
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Experience more of Hungary on these wonderful day trips from Budapest
You get a lot of bang for your buck when you visit beautiful Budapest – architecturally wonderful Buda and fun-filled Pest – but there are even more delights beyond the city limits
These day trips from Budapest are easy by bus
or even boat – pack your walking shoes and start exploring
Northeast of Budapest, Eger Castle is legendary as the bastion that held out against the Turkish invasion, but the relics of the town's eventual Ottoman conquest, including a 40m-high (131ft) minaret and Turkish baths
Apart from the legacy of the siege, Eger is known for its wine – most notably "Bull’s Blood," believed by the Turks to have given the Hungarians superhuman power in battle
you can try Eger wines straight from the barrel in the Valley of Beautiful Women (Szépasszony-völgy Hétvége) on the outskirts of town
where wine cellars are carved into the bedrock of the surrounding hills
If you have time, pay a visit to the city’s historic Lyceum, with its wood-clad baroque Archdiocesan Library and its Great Tower
housing an astronomy museum filled with vintage instruments as well as a camera obscura overlooking the city
How to get to Eger from Budapest: It takes 1½ hours to reach Eger from Budapest by car
trains run from Budapest's Budapest-Keleti station to Eger station
As you stroll along Szentendre’s cobbled streets, with the 18th-century tower of Blagoveštenska Church peering above the wine-red and sunset-yellow colored houses
you'll immediately understand why this handsome country town is the most popular day trip destination from Budapest
but aim to avoid weekends in high summer when the town can get really busy
which traces the development of winemaking in Hungary from its earliest days and offers a wine tour with tastings
How to get to Szentendre from Budapest: Szentendre is about a 40-minute drive north of Budapest, but it's just as fast to come by train. The H5 HÉV suburban train line runs here from Batthyány tér station in the center of Budapest. In summer months, boat services also run up the Danube to Szentendre
Once the summer residence of Emperor Franz Josef and his wife Elizabeth, Gödöllő Royal Palace carries all the hallmarks of Habsburg extravagance
accented with flecks of gold on the facade
houses a network of rooms decked out with upholstered silk in burgundy
How to get to Gödöllő from Budapest: Gödöllő lies east of Budapest
take a direct train (40 minutes) from Budapest’s Budapest-Keleti station in the east of the city
Esztergom is Hungary’s most sacred city. The town’s enormous basilica
rising high above the town and the Danube River
appearing unexpectedly in a stretch of green countryside
You might have to pinch yourself to be sure you're not imagining it
Esztergom has a handful of great cafes – try the dramatic courtyard at Padlizsán or inventive Prímás Pince
The town also boasts a dusting of good hotels and campsites
How to get to Esztergom from Budapest: Esztergom is located northwest of Budapest
It takes about an hour to arrive by car and 1 hour 20 minutes on the direct trains from Budapest-Nyugati station
In summer, Lake Balaton (the largest lake in central Europe) is the go-to destination for locals seeking a break from the city hustle
The elegant and historic resort town of Balatonfüred is an ideal taster for lake life
just a couple of hours' train ride away from the capital
The town was once frequented by artists, writers and scientists – you’ll find the names of illustrious past visitors inscribed on the placards embedded into the wall of the Pantheon. It overlooks Gyógy tér
a leafy square with a natural spring at its center
Balatonfüred remains a very popular resort
which meanders past yachts docked in the small marina with hazy views over to the Tihany peninsula in the distance
Make sure you take a boat trip around the lake from the jetty for the best views
How to get to Balatonfüred from Budapest: Balatonfüred is southwest of Budapest
some direct trains run from Kelenföld Railway Station in the south of Budapest to Balatonfüred in around two hours or go to Lepsény (one hour)
where you can catch a direct bus to Balatonfüred (one hour)
Visegrád is a small town on the Danube Bend famous for its big views. An intense hike on a rocky woodland trail will take you up to the 13th-century citadel above town for dizzying views over this scenic kink in the Danube River
you can also take the City-Bus taxi service from the ferry pier up to the castle
Down in Visegrád town, go for a ramble around the romantic ruins of the handsome Renaissance palace
learn about how Hungary’s famous pálinka (fruit brandy) is made – and how it tastes – in Visegrád’s small pálinka museum
A night performance in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the twinning between the ancient town of Hoi An and Szentendre
will be staged at An Hoi Sculpture Park on the Hoai River on July 20
Hoi An (VNS/VNA) - A night performance in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the twinning between the ancient town of Hoi An and Szentendre
The city’s Information and Sports Centre said series of cultural exchanges and meetings will be held between the two cities to boost co-operations in heritage conservation
businesses alongside schools visits of the two sides in the coming years
It said the anniversary will be an opportunity for the two cities sharing discussions and plans of hosting more cultural and tourism events in 2024-29
The two cities will be seeking people-to-people visits
as well as introducing each other in world forums and events
has twinned with seven urban areas including Wernigerode in Germany
Gwangju in the Republic of Korea and Thanh Hoa city in Vietnam
The ancient town is a rendezvous for annual Japan-Hoi An Cultural Exchange Day and a Korean Culture Day
A lantern festival of Hoi An was also organised in Wernigerode and Paris
Hoi An has officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in field of Crafts and Folk Art
The mid-autumn Full Moon Festival (on the 14th day of the eighth lunar month) of the Hoi An ancient town was the latest National Intangible Heritage recognition in 2023
joining series of national intangible heritages recognised such as the annual Nguyen Tieu Festival of Hoi An
carpentry of Kim Bong Village and Tra Que vegetable garden./
Vietnam currently ranks fifth among Asian U23 teams
information and models of 87 Buddhist national treasures currently preserved in museums
and relic sites across the country are on display
The New Zealand Herald has run an article by journalist Cath Johnsen affirming that Vietnam offers one of the kindest cultures in the world
held in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Vietnam–Hungary diplomatic ties
aimed to strengthen connections between young overseas Vietnamese in Hungary and their cultural roots
The exhibition features a dome made from do (poonah paper)
combined with recycled plastic and steel to create a space that is both soft and strong
The International Martial Arts Tournament welcomed participants from 11 African countries that are part of the African Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao Confederation
alongside representatives from several European nations and Vietnam
Deputy Minister of Culture of Venezuela Alí Alejandro Primera will perform renowned songs praising President Ho Chi Minh
during an art programme titled “Forever Ho Chi Minh” on the occasion of his 135th birthday (May 19
The oil on canvas "Property of a Lady of Title" was the top-selling item at Sloane Street Auctions on May 2 and marked the first Vietnamese artwork ever auctioned at the house
Vietnam will be one of 11 hosts of the AFC Asian U23 Cup 2026 qualification
Coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang of Vietnam will bring 14 players
who have practised hard at intensive training courses and friendlies in Vietnam and Japan
to China for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025
The Berlin exhibition presents a chronological narrative of the war through the eyes of artists and photographers who lived through or deeply studied the war
from the early days of revolutionary movement to the great victory on April 30
Ha Long Carnival 2025 unfolded in three acts
each weaving Quang Ninh’s cultural heritage into a vivid tapestry of performance
The elaborately choreographed performances captured the spirit of local residents
invited attendees to explore the locality's breathtaking natural beauty
themed “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6 to 8
expected to draw 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories
Hanoi has mobilised hundreds of billions of VND for the restoration
preservation and promotion of local cultural heritage every year
transforming the treasures into engines for sustainable tourism development
and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket emphasised that the victory on April 30
was not only a triumph for the army and people of Vietnam but also a shared victory for the united forces and the special combat alliance between Laos and Vietnam
not only won the final stage of the 37th National HTV Cycling Cup
which concluded on April 30 in Ho Chi Minh City
but also secured his place as the overall champion of the prestigious tournament
The oil on canvas "Property of a Lady of Title" will be the first Vietnamese artwork on auction at this distinguished auction house
It was on display at a solo exhibition of Vu Cao Dam in London in 1960
hosted by the prominent Frost & Reed Gallery
titled “Mua xuan thong nhat” (the spring of reunification)
serves as a profound tribute to previous generations
soldiers and civilians who made great sacrifices for the country’s freedom and independence
The exhibition showcases 42 photographs and propaganda posters created by Cuban artists
reflecting Cuba’s heartfelt solidarity with Vietnam during its prolonged struggle for national defence
The drone show is a highlight of the festivities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30
2008 by the Ministry of Information and Communications
Email: vietnamplus@vnanet.vn
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The location will open in the first quarter of 2025 and will feature a 1,000m² retail space
SPAR Hungary has announced an investment of €9.2m ($9.9m) in a greenfield project to establish a SPAR supermarket in Szentendre
spans 4,000m² and is part of the town’s long-term urban rehabilitation plan
The supermarket will open in the first quarter of 2025 and will feature a 1,000m² retail space
offering a broad selection of SPAR’s products and convenience goods
It will have a self-service cooler and cold-cut counter offering a variety of salads
while the SPAR To Go Grill counter will serve an assortment of dishes and sides
In addition to traditional cashier services
the supermarket will introduce six self-checkouts
The store’s underground car park will offer 52 spaces
and an open car park will have an additional 47
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The parking area will include four charging points for electric cars
Bicycle racks and a B+R bike storage facility will also be available
Leveraging a heat pump that uses waste heat from the store’s refrigeration
the supermarket will be heated and cooled by an underfloor heating and cooling system
SPAR Hungary CEO Gabriella Heiszler said: “We are proud to be playing a major role in the first pioneering part of the municipality’s long-term urban rehabilitation development concept
state-of-the-art store but also by creating parking spaces
pedestrian crossings and parks in the surrounding areas.”
In April 2024 the Hungarian government announced its intention to initiate legal proceedings against the supermarket chain SPAR
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If you're up for a day trip, don't miss out on some tulip picking, especially if you're a flower aficionado! During Easter (9 am - 6 pm between 18-21 April), TulipGarden Szentendre opens its gates and leaves them open
and the short trip there will be so worth it
Picture a field of thousands of vibrant tulips
where you can not only stroll but also pick your favourites (bring your own gear if you can)
The entry fee is HUF 2,000 and you need to pay HUF 400 per stem
Szentendre is one of the most famous and most picturesque little towns of Hungary
As it is located only at a short distance from Budapest
the town is a perfect destination for a day trip—especially during the holiday season
Szentendre is a great place to visit around Christmas not only because of its pretty Christmas market
engaging festive programmes and its beautiful shoreline
but also because there is a small house in the town which has a special relationship with Christmas
the Hubay House of Szentendre has celebrates Christmas every day of the year
which is also known as the Museum of Christmas
The collection includes over 5,000 Christmas ornaments from Austro-Hungarian to modern times
The Museum not only showcases how Christmas traditions evolved in Hungary in the past two centuries but also how Christmas ornaments changed over the years—both in terms of their design and their method of production
Szentendre is also famous for being a testimony to the harmonic coexistence of diverse communities
While one of the earliest mentions of the town of Szentendre is from 1146
the community started to bloom only in the 16th century when Serbians settled in the town
One of the most famous attractions of the town
the Belgrade Cathedral was also built around this time in 1521
Orthodox Serbs moved up on the Danube to find shelter
the town became home to a vibrant Serbian community
the majority of the residents of Szentendre were Serbians
The orthodox Serbian heritage of the town greatly contributes to its charm—the symbiosis between Eastern and Catholic architecture makes Szentendre the picturesque Instagram-famous place it is today
Recognizing that ‘Szentendre is characterised by the spirit of multi-ethnic and religious tolerance
urban resilience and creativity since the end of the 17th century
deriving from its cross-border location,’ in 2020 the European Commission awarded the town the European Heritage Label
The scenic little town attracts not only tourists but artists as well
Szentendre became home for artists who were attracted by the charm of the town
The Szentendre Artists’ Colony was founded by artists mainly interested in depicting nature and the built environment who produced a number of unique paintings depicting Szentendre
The Colony also contributed to the interior decoration of the Church of St John the Baptist
Originally built in gothic style in the 13th century
between 1933 and 1938 the Szentendre artists painted the walls of the church with scenes from the Bible
What makes the murals special is that the artists used Szentendre sites as the background to the scenes
The legacy of this painter community and the countless museums of the town make Szentendre an important cultural hot spot in Hungary
Another famous attraction of the town is the Hungarian Open Air Museum called the Szentendre Skanzen
The Skanzen is dedicated to showcasing the architecture of different Hungarian regions while helping visitors explore the lifestyle of yore of Hungarian villagers
Since the Museum has opened its gates in 1967
each dedicated to different Hungarian regions were built on the 63-hectare-large area
If you want to start losing the weight you gained during Christmas
get out of the house and explore the Szentendre Skanzen—you won’t regret it
Tourists often travel abroad to see giant attractions like the Great Pyramids
the most bizarre and perplexing attraction is unique for the exact opposite reason: for being incredibly small
located just 30 minutes north of central Budapest
is a grand collection of miniature art so tiny you can only see it through the lens of a microscope
The miniatures fit an immense amount of detail into just about a millimeter of space
telling a story at a scale invisible to the naked eye
The microscopic designs are the work of Mykola Syadristy
a Ukrainian artist known as the “master of miniature art," who sculpts the objects by hand using special precision tools
His movements are so precise that he even times out his heartbeats to ensure that the pounding of his chest doesn't alter his hand motions
The tiny sculptures are so microscopic that if you were to pick up the pin
you probably wouldn't even notice that so much complexity and intricacy was held in the palm of your hand.
The Micro Wonder Museum is now located between the Main Square of Szentendre and the Danube
complete with earthen skeletons and mermaids
An unassuming Swiss institution houses Europe's largest toy museum
These tiny statues form a terracotta army from China's Han dynasty
A curious collection of miniatures in a quiet corner of the Chicago Children's Museum
One of the dwarven trees dates back to 1625 and survived the Hiroshima bombing
A miniature diorama that recounts the brilliant stories of author and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol
The world's largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one the nation's largest collections of antique toys
an art gallery exists at the intersection of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.
The Szamos marzipan empire occupies a sizable stretch of road
welcoming visitors with its candy-striped awnings
and an assortment of confections beckoning from the window
nutty exhibit filled with marzipan art.
Guests can ponder Budapest's parliament building, Princess Diana, and Mickey Mouse, all immortalized in sugary almond paste. Using candy as a medium, artists meticulously crafted scenes depicting fairy tales, bible stories, cartoon characters, and celebrities. The space highlights the art of marzipan-making, as well as the work of Mátyás Szamos and Károly Szabó
two renowned Hungarian confectioners.
After working up an appetite, patrons can pick up local delicacies such as Unicum
and an assortment of sweet treats in the attached shop
This museum tells the history of Day of the Dead sugar sculptures
life-sized statues are housed in this second-story shrine to almond paste
This shop also boasts some sweet memorabilia from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
The world's largest public collection of PEZ memorabilia
Make your own fake treats at this factory and workshop in the epicenter of Japan's food replica industry
a local artist has created a wonderland of stone and terracotta sculptures
A Brutalist monument and "sculpture that contains many sculptures."
This entire museum is dedicated to a single smelly delicacy
This work, U.S. civil affairs, NATO CIMIC units collaborate during U.S. Army Europe summer exercises, by Doug Magill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright
Performers are seen during an Easter celebration at the Hungarian Open Air Museum in Szentendre
A man decorates an Easter egg at the Hungarian Open Air Museum in Szentendre
People decorate Easter eggs with wax at the Hungarian Open Air Museum in Szentendre
Folk dancers perform during an Easter celebration at the Hungarian Open Air Museum in Szentendre
with the concelebration of the clergy of the Cathedral church
the Bishop blessed the slava gifts in honor of Saint Sava
Protopresbyter-staurophor Vojislav Galic spoke about the life and work of our spiritual father and educator Sava
and then the children recited and sang in honor of the Saint
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World Rookie Tour skate contest coming to Hungary
From 14th to 15th of August the Rookies have their chance to qualify for the World Rookie Final in Innsbruck
Best Girl and Best Boy will be invited for free to the finals
where they can win incredible prizes like a ticket to the Simple Session in Tallin or the Mystic Sk8 Cup in Prague
If you are a skate fan or if your dream is to start a professional skate carrier
Hungary is the place to be from the 14th to the 15th of August
You need to have a playful heart to dream up
build and manage a human-scale landscape tableau
This playfulness is my strongest impression of Miklós Cseri
Director General of the Szentendre Open Air Museum
As we roll in a small golf cart through the Transylvanian section about to open
I think how nice it is to meet a dedicated professional who has spent decades in the same job
Miklós Cseri shows the newly built Transylvanian landscape unit with sincere joy and understandable pride: when fully completed
it will represent a real change of scale in the history of the Open Air Museum
as it will consist of 140 buildings on 15 hectares
in which a total of 25,000 artifacts will await visitors
will be the main square of a Transylvanian town: a café
an Art Nouveau newspaper editorial and printing house
and a monument to the 1848 Revolution in the center of the square
It is not by chance that we feel at home among these buildings
they may be familiar from several Transylvanian towns
Unlike the traditional village houses of the traditional open-air museums
but replica-like copies of them were built here
It's not the only thing that makes me feel like
I have to completely reprogram in my head everything I have ever thought about the Open Air Museum
The Open Air Museum is no longer a lifelike but static monument to a traditional village way of life that is disappearing
Not only does the town appear in the landscape
provide information by asking questions from the visitors and not by making statements
It makes you think and guides you gently through the process
who make up a significant proportion of the Open Air Museum’s visitors
The youngest children no longer have a real personal attachment to the objects exhibited in the Open Air Museum: they no longer saw tools and furniture like these at their grandparents'
they have never slept under their grandmother's duvet during the school holidays
and they have only seen a masonry oven in the show bakeries
They can be reached by storytelling and experiential elements
The future main entrance to the Transylvanian region
which evokes the Romanian-Hungarian border from before the fall of communism
the stories of literature or food smuggled in a meticulously searched car
make it clear to the visitor from the very first moment that we are talking about two parts of the country
artificially and violently separated from each other
a Transylvanian landscape has been created which is now on the other side of the border
historical and ethnographic reason why we deal with the Transylvanian region
there is an emotional and national political too," says the Director-General
"The professional reason is that Transylvania is an independent entity in ethnographic
and has a special place in Hungarian history
we were operating on the basis of our old founding document
established in communist times: it was not possible
When at last this possibility was included in the installation concept
we had to decide whether to display a region that is now on the other side of the border or to follow professional considerations when expanding the Open Air Museum
says that cultural phenomena are not bound by administrative borders
if we find in Burgenland the same things that we have already been built in the Őrség-Göcsej region
we will not bring buildings and equipment from Burgenland
Csallóköz has the same characteristics as Kisalföld
Felvidék has the same characteristics as Palócföld
and Kárpátalja has the same characteristics as the Upper Tisza region
Transylvania is unlike any other because it is a separate entity
the so-called Eastern or Samos house type is not found anywhere else in the Carpathian Basin
the professional and lay public kept asking why we didn't also cover the other areas beyond the border
so we finally decided to transfer a typical building from the neighboring area to the existing landscape units
So that is the professional reason for the Transylvanian section
and it stems from the terribly stupid and devastating joke that goes
When he gets off the train at the Eastern Railway Station in Budapest." There are a lot of questions and a lot of puzzlement in people's minds about this
Cultural national unification is about the fact that this region
administratively and politically separated from Hungary
is part of the history of Hungarian development
and this is something that must be taken into account
there is a more practical reason for the development of the Transylvanian section: to preserve the value
since Ceaușescu would never have imagined in his wildest dreams that the destruction of villages and old buildings would be on the scale of that which has occurred as a result of people working in Germany
The inhabitants of the Transylvanian villages go abroad to work
and the Hungarians immediately use it to renovate the traditional houses they inherited from their grandparents
We are in the last moment to save something from this."
I learn how the intention and then the concept slowly evolved through conferences and negotiations; how the dream became a plan
the plan became a government decision; how the most important objects and buildings were purchased with various funds
and how the regional unit that has now been handed over was finally built
It was not only the political leadership that had to be convinced
and the Romanian authorities had to be cooperated with
The Director-General explains how the concept of the Transylvanian unit finally included not only objects of Hungarian ethnographic importance but also Romanian
practically all the nationalities that make Transylvania so magical
And we also talk about the perhaps most important difference in approach
the importance of the presentation of urban life in comparison to the traditional concept of the Open Air Museum
the Transylvanian town was built - you can see the deceptive complex of buildings from the motorway
and if you don't know that you are driving between two sides of an Open Air Museum
you wouldn't understand how they appeared on the hills of Szentendre
But the village is also ready with 5-6 houses
Lay people like me are probably just as curious to know what the experts use as a basis for selecting buildings from all over Transylvania to represent the region
the scene where the protagonist rolls grain between her fingers
Such a filter is being developed by ethnographers
from the westernmost region of Szilágyság to the easternmost region of Moldva
from typical Transylvanian cultural phenomena such as the bear
They filter through a complex matrix the objects and buildings suitable for collection and try to end up with an inventory where an object or building can be classified into several distinct categories and types
These draw a mosaic-like picture of completeness
as far as it can be drawn from the centuries of a community with such a rich and diverse heritage
"When will the whole Transylvanian landscape be ready?" - I ask impatiently
Miklós Cseri answers with a very precise date: the second phase should open on 5 July 2025
And it would be a good way to end my thirty-something-year career," smiles the Director-General
he has plans up his sleeve: one of them is to present the buildings of Hungarians living in the diaspora
He says that there is already an iconic building of Hungarians in Pennsylvania and Argentina that was destined for demolition
and they are also bringing home a small building from a Hungarian kibbutz in Israel
they will help those who stayed in Hungary to reflect on why and what paths emigrants around the world chose to remain true to their Hungarian origins
Another important project is to present the century that followed 1920
"The ethnographic canon keeps track of the traditional peasant way of life only until 1920 but has no intention to explore the way of life of the one hundred year that followed
Yet history has accelerated sufficiently to present plenty of examples from the later decades of the twentieth century
from the buildings designed by Kós Károly and others to the houses rebuilt after the Bereg floods and the red sludge disaster
It is very exciting to understand through the built heritage the processes that led to the disappearance of the peasantry
the emergence of communities commuting or settling in the city
or the construction of weekend cottages in the countryside
because the desire to have a garden was still alive in the hearts of people who moved into the city," says Miklós Cseri
going into details about his plans for the future
It will be worth returning to the Open Air Ethnographic Museum in Szentendre for a long time to come
Képmás magazine has launched a new series called Public Treasure
talked to dedicated people whose successful work can be of interest to many
as the title of the series suggests: a common issue
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many of us face the challenge of finding a good recipe for the popular Christmas sweet
the 'beigli': a roll filled with walnut or poppy seed
two good friends” – goes the saying and it is not a simple cliché but a soul-to-soul reality
Champion of the 1958 Hungarian Women's Chess Championship
/ and my father watched like a god / what his wits and blood could do" – wrote
Many people may have been surprised to hear the name of Dr Edit Madas among the 2024 Széchenyi Prize laureates
The Japanese garden is a free attraction ten minutes from the centre of Szentendre
it is still growing and probably requires another 13 years or so to reach full bloom
A Japanese garden is like a three-dimensional painting – as we learn from landscape planner Zoltán Dani
The setting of each rock and tree has to be aesthetically perfect
A few elements have been placed symbolically according to Buddhist tradition
but the main aim is to create a painting in nature that forever changes with the seasons
and the whole garden was planned to look its best when admired from here
the best spots equipped with benches so that people can appreciate the scenery
Winter is represented by evergreens to the left of the entrance
lotuses and other colourful flowers will be planted
There are not only Japanese plants here as the gardening traditions of the Far East allow free rein to use other
even local species (no tulips and roses though)
the garden will receive a watering system and lighting
Zoltán Dani graduated from the Buddhist College in Japanese Garden Studies and has been studying Chinese and Japanese horticulture for nearly 20 years
He gained experience in Kyoto and is the only official Japanese garden landscaper in the region
but can only be visited as part of a guided walk in the spring when the sakura trees blossom
Japanese garden Czóbel Park
With its multicultural history stretching back to ancient times and its present-day ambience thoroughly shaped by refined artistry
Szentendre is a premier destination of Hungary’s countryside – and conveniently
this bucolic riverfront settlement is located less than 20 kilometres from central Budapest
It’s easy to visit Szentendre from the capital city by ferryboat
car and even bicycle to enjoy assorted exhibitions
and restaurants that warmly welcome international guests with ample information in English and other languages
exploring Szentendre is often most extraordinary during quiet moments of aimlessly navigating labyrinthine alleys lined with flower-speckled ivy
and countless other colourful surprises infused throughout this creative community
Szentendre has always had a stunning natural setting. Tucked alongside a Danube inlet sheltered by a large island by the mighty river’s western bank, this forested region rapidly rises into stream-carved hills that stretch north toward the mini-mountains of Hungary’s dramatic Danube Bend
making this an appealing area for human habitation since time immemorial
Ancient Europeans who trod around present-day Szentendre included Illyrians and Celts; later the Romans moved in under the reign of Emperor Augustus to establish a fortress on this site
leaving ruins that formed the foundations for the first Magyar settlement here during the ninth century
Szentendre is noted in official Hungarian documents dating back to AD 1009
although the community only started to flourish when Buda was chosen as the national capital in the 14th century
The settlement was destroyed and largely abandoned during Hungary’s era under Ottoman occupation
but after the Turks were driven back into the Balkans during the late 1600s
Dalmatian and Greek refugees came to live in Szentendre over the following decades
These newcomers built houses reminiscent of the architectural styles of their homelands
resulting in the Mediterranean atmosphere that Szentendre is famous for today
German and Slovakian immigrants later joined Szentendre’s cultural mix
and the town enjoyed a long period of prosperity leading to its attaining city status in 1872
With the homes and churches of this integrated community all bearing distinct aesthetics of varied ethnic backgrounds
Szentendre was already notably picturesque by the early 1900s – attracting numerous artists to come capture its peaceful countryside scenery
the Szentendre Artist Colony brought together an internationally recognised collective of notable Magyar visionaries who established creative traditions that live on today; hundreds of painters
musicians and actors still call Szentendre home
and provide many of the cultural draws that make this town so fascinating
To walk into nearby central Szentendre from the town’s HÉV station
head down into the underpass beyond the end of the tracks and you will emerge on Kossuth Lajos utca; just keep walking straight ahead for about five minutes to reach the city centre
Danube Promenade: Ferryboat passengers arriving at Szentendre are often awestruck by the beauty surrounding this curving riverfront walkway in front of colourful cottages and rising hills topped with ascending church steeples
Numerous benches on this recently refurbished promenade beckon passers-by to slow down and watch the water gently drift by
with the forest of undeveloped Szentendre Island as a gorgeously green backdrop
Fő tér: Centrepieced by the Baroque-styled Merchant’s Cross erected in 1763
Szentendre’s cobblestoned main square is the bustling heart of this historic town
Here the Blagoveštenska Orthodox Church towers over everything
while winding streets and alleys stretch out in all directions – head downhill to the riverfront
or hike uphill to find City Hall or Templom tér
Templom tér: A tiny tunnel from Fő tér (by the Levendula ice-cream shop) leads to a short stairway ascending into this lofty tree-shaded square beside Szentendre’s spotless-white Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Parish Church
The square’s viewpoints provide visitors with fascinating vistas directly over Szentendre’s red-tiled rooftops to the squares and streets below
and beyond to the treetops of Szentendre Island
while neighbouring businesses include private galleries
and unique stores offering regionally made gifts and modern artworks
Bogdányi út: Leading gently downhill from Fő tér towards riverfront Lázár Cár tér (by the ferryboat dock)
this rustic lane is also a busy commercial zone
Many stores proffer extremely typical Hungarian keepsakes
but some showrooms have authentically interesting clothing
Local painters sometimes set up shop alfresco here
dabbling at canvases while displaying freshly dried artworks for sale
Creativity is evident in every element of Szentendre life
as locals take great pride in the community’s remarkable artistic heritage and large number of notable native luminaries whose works now grace varied museums within intriguing buildings across town
Some viewing spaces feature permanent exhibitions highlighting paintings
sculptures and more by world-renowned Szentendre-based artists
while museums also dedicate space to new displays of modern Magyar and international visionaries
Szentendre’s artistic accomplishments are indeed impressive
but this centuries-old community also features numerous museums showcasing other notable elements of local culture
from vintage vehicles carefully preserved within an active railway depot to intricate statues made of marzipan to household relics that are emblematic of Hungary’s Communist era
Reaching some of these museums may require a longish walk
but aficionados of their assorted fields will find the extra steps well worthwhile
Artfully ornate wrought-iron signs dangle above the arched doorways of Szentendre’s small shops that have continually remained active over multiple centuries
While traditional Hungarian crafts and souvenirs are abundantly available
a lot of that same merchandise is also sold back in Budapest – but for shoppers who go a little beyond the ordinary
several independent boutiques offer truly unique goods such as contemporary household items
and folk art produced the old-fashioned way
With its mix of residents descended from varied cultures
Szentendre has a remarkably diverse culinary community reflected in the many eateries serving everything from Mediterranean seafood specialities to savoury Balkan ćevapčići to Germanic schnitzel… not to mention heaps of meaty Hungarian delights
Along with some of the town’s more reputable restaurants
below we present some stop-worthy snack stands and genuinely cool watering holes for refreshing beverages between sightseeing sessions
Dalmát Szamár: Join locals at this chilled-out hilltop eatery with good beers and a wide-ranging menu of global dishes all priced less than 2,500 forints. After your meal and one more beer, walk a little further up Bartók Béla utca to find Szentendre’s highest lookout point at the Cross of Tanners. Bartók Béla utca 8, more details
Kacsakő: Throughout summer at the southern end of Szentendre Promenade, this open-air hangout takes over a riverfront meadow furnished with hammocks and blue-and-white wood-pallet furniture. This breezy bar and bistro is based within what appears to be a former prisoner-transport train wagon. Duna korzó 21; more details
Szentendre mainly caters to single-day excursioners – but for anyone seeking a night or more away from the metropolitan bustle
this serene town offers splendid hotels with varied amenities
An extended stay allows Szentendre visitors to truly relish life’s slow pace here
and couples will find that walks along the cobblestoned streets and promenade provide an especially romantic mood after the sun sets and the crowds are gone
or a tourist hoping to glimpse the rural side of the country
there are plenty of cutesy towns and villages dotted throughout the country that can help recharge those batteries
Here are the very best quaint Hungarian villages
Szentendre There’s a reason this is the first on the list
Perhaps one of the most well-kept towns in the country
Szentendre is a commonly recommended suggestion due to its proximity to Budapest – only an hour’s ride on the HÉV commuter train
there are plenty of knickknacks to be discovered when wandering the quiet streets and plenty of top-notch restaurants to eat at right near the Danube
The central plaza in Szentendre, Hungary | © adgostman, Pixabay
Lillafüred Count András Bethlen built a holiday resort beside the nearby Lake Hámori, which might give some clue as to just how outstanding its natural beauty is. The resultant palace is now a gorgeous hotel – which doubles as a great place to rest and recuperate – but there are plenty of things in the surrounding area to enjoy too: a waterfall
hikes through the forest and even the hotel’s own hanging gardens
The view of Lake Hamóri from the famous hotel of the resort | © Fgyongyver Pixabay | Fgyongyver
Kőszeg This border town practically defines the word ‘quaint’
and while it might be quite aways away from Budapest
it still comes with a surprisingly rich history
but there are still plenty of places of note
key among them being the Jurisics Castle – named after the town and fort captain of the 16th century who helped to repel a massive siege from the Ottomans
The main square in Kőszeg, Hungary | © T_Zoli, Pixabay | T_Zoli
Hollókő Despite being the smallest village in this list
much of its buildings have been well-maintained or reconstructed to resemble the sorts of structures that rural Hungarians will have lived in during the 17th century
However the village is most notable for its Easter celebrations
where the inhabitants of the town – and numerous volunteers – conduct various Hungarian traditions
the most famous of which being men in classic garb chasing women and throwing scented water on them
The cute village of Hollókő | © zsiga007, Pixabay | zsiga007
Visegrád With its well-kept castle overlooking the Danube Bend – a popular part of the river where the view allows you to see it curve in on itself – Visegrád is popular with tourists and Hungarians alike
which makes it a great day trip for those looking for a bit of peace and quiet
Visegrád Castle on the Danube | © gipszjakab, Pixabay | gipszjakab
this quiet town is perfect for those who want to escape the stress of everyday life
but its popularity comes from the cave lake
which was recently renovated to include lighting to make the phenomenon all the more rewarding
The lake at Tapolca | © sikermarketing, Pixabay | sikermarketing
Hévíz If rest and relaxation is your goal, then there are few places better suited than the spa town of Hévíz found to the west of Lake Balaton
The name Hévíz actually comes from the thermal lake
which is the second largest of such lakes in the world
but the wellness of the naturally heated waters are the real reason to come here
The thermal lake of Hévíz, the second largest in the world | © ivabalk, Pixabay | ivabalk
Fertőrákos As an old Roman town
there are a number of historical elements worth considering about Fertőrákos
primarily the temple to Mithras and the old stone quarry that was used by the Romans
where an annual Wagner-Liszt festival is held
The nearby Lake Fertő also offers spectacular opportunities for some calm
Lake Balaton has a number of small towns and villages
don’t often offer much beyond expensive restaurants and lakeside lodgings
is well worth visiting for those looking for peace
in part because of the unique accommodation that is available but primarily because of the views from the top of the hill and the Tihany Abbey itself
Tihany Abbey at Lake Balaton, Hungary | © ivabalk, Pixabay | ivabalk
Poroszló Hidden far to the east of Budapest
an area of natural beauty that is clearly cared for
boating or kayaking on the waters or cycling
Poroszló has plenty to offer those wanting a break from smog
The Lake Tisza | © akos147, Pixabay | akos147
Tata The last king of Hungary had his final night in Tata’s Eszterházy estate before he and his wife were exiled from the country
certainly a pleasant final memory for the pair to have of their homeland
The lake and its promenade is a gloriously tranquil place to stay
Tata Castle | © angyalxem, Pixabay | angyalxem
Szilvásvárad Sitting on the edge of the grand Bükk National Park makes Szilvásvárad the choice for those who only find serenity in nature
There are a number of wellness hotels set into the forestry
perfect places to use as a base before heading out into the wilderness
There’s a number of landmarks to search for too: waterfalls
a museum and even a forest railway that was once used for transporting lumber
The forest railway at Szilvásvárad | © akos147, Pixabay | akos147
If you click on a link in this story
All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip
Read Next See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer
The Szentendre suburban railway originally ran only as far as Filatorigát
the regulations allowed railway lines to be built more cheaply on routes with less traffic
Hungary was flooded with suburban railways
but delivered local goods - and passengers - to the larger centres
The terminus of the suburban railway line at the Margit Bridge in 1966 (Photo: Fortepan/Főmterv)
The Szentendre line was also built in 1888 as a suburban railway. However, when a few years later, in 1892, the Buda, i.e., the right-side bank circular railway
was opened to primarily serve the plants in North Buda and Óbuda
the Szentendre suburban railway was also connected to this network
and until 1937 it was the terminus of this suburban railway
this was changed at the same time as the Margit Bridge was rebuilt
and in 1937 the terminus of the suburban railway was moved to the north of the Margit Bridge
there was an important difference: between 1892 and 1937
the trains - which were pulled by steam locomotives until 1914 - ran on the surface
but during the extension between 1970 and 1972
the line was pushed underground from the Császár Bath
The investment was clearly related to the construction of the subway and was carried out in the framework of that work
An underpass system was originally built on Batthyány Square so that people could get down to the metro station from there
and the new suburban railway main station was built on the underpass level
Slurry wall construction in front of Batthyány Square in 1970 (Photo: Fortepan/Főmterv)
the track descending from the Császár Bath and the tunnel
the Transport Construction Company was forced to mechanise on a large scale
especially only a few carpenters working at the company
it was built with a slurry wall construction method
This means that the entire pit is not dug in the first round
but only the narrow strip where the wall of the pit will be
When the concrete of the wall has set between the two walls of the future pit
This method enabled mechanised and fast work
The suburban railway tunnel in Szentendre does not run deep
so the tunnel was not drilled but excavated from above to Batthyány Square
construction manager László Drávucz told the Magyar Nemzet about the completion:
"It seems likely that we will be able to hand over the new facilities
We are doing our best to complete the work as soon as possible: we have mechanised the construction as best as possible
but we can no longer increase the speed in this way."
Construction at Margit Bridge in 1971 (Photo: Fortepan/Főmterv)
which was helped by the low water level of the Danube and the drought of 1972
which meant that the work area did not have to deal with the ingress of water
as would have been expected in the case of a normal groundwater level
the tunnel and the station at the Margit Bridge were already structurally ready by July 1972
and they were also in a good stage with the 4,600-square-metre Batthyány Square station
and this section of the suburban railway was completed at the same time as the subway
the contemporary newspaper wrote about the expected changes:
"From the Buda bridgehead of the Margit Bridge along the Danube Bank
the Szentendre suburban railway extended to Batthyány Square was also hidden underground
An underpass system was built under the bridge to connect the suburban railway and trams
Stairs lead from the underpass to the bus stops and the Margit Bridge sidewalk
Through the direct transfer connections of the Szentendre suburban railway and the metro
it is possible to reach the Népstadion in 35 minutes from the soon-to-be-built new city quarter in Békásmegyer."
Since it was handed over at the same time as the metro
the press only wrote incidentally about the fact that this construction was also completed in the shadow of the large investment
Two of the suburban railways were therefore somewhat connected to the metro since metro line 2 met the Gödöllő suburban railway at Örs Vezér Square
Final touches at the Margit Bridge stop (Photo: Fortepan/Főmterv)
The further development of suburban railways was envisioned at the time as taking several sections of the Szentendre line underground
there was also an idea to connect the Szentendre and the southern suburban railway lines underground (they originally intended – and still planning – to introduce the connected Csepel and Ráckeve suburban railway lines to Kálvin Square
the Kálvin Square underpass was originally built with this idea in mind)
the southern terminus of the Szentendre suburban railway
Cover photo: The final works at the Batthyány Square station (Photo: Fortepan/Főmterv)
© 2025 Látóhatár Kiadó Lap-és Könyvkiadó Kft
Photo Credit: Floods in central Europe continue to create havoc
More than 80,000 emergency personnel including firefighters and soldiers were on duty Saturday
working aggressively to contain the most dramatic floods in Germany in a decade
Thousands of residents were still unable to return to their homes
and bridges and streets were impassable in many regions of eastern and southern Germany
Twenty people reportedly have already died in the floods across central Europe after several days of heavy rains
Thousands have been put up in emergency shelters waiting for the waters to recede so they can get back to their homes
German news agency dpa said people in Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt were anxiously waiting downstream as the crest of the Elbe river approached Saturday
Authorities evacuated a nursing home and turned off electricity in several parts of the city
about 3,000 people had to leave their homes
"The coming days will be extreme and difficult," Magdeburg's mayor
High water levels were also reported in Hungary
while thousands of people in Austria were busy shoveling away mud left by the receding floodwaters of the Danube
around 2,000 residents of the town of Gyorujfalu northwest of the capital of Budapest were evacuated because authorities were afraid the levees wouldn't withstand the pressure of the Danube's waters
Another 980 residents had to leave their homes along the river out of precaution
Hundreds of volunteers and military personnel were helping shore up the defenses along the Danube in Szentendre
a town 14 miles (22 kilometers) north of Budapest
while military reservists from other Hungarian counties filled sandbags and packed them on top of walls along the river
which was expected to peak here on Sunday at about 16 inches (40 centimeters) above its current record of 25 feet (7.60 meters)
A 330 yards (meters) long and about 2.5 yards (meters) tall mobile flood wall was assembled in eight hours alongside the river promenade in the town earlier this week and is protecting its picturesque center
the promenade wall became very weak and we decided to tear it down," said Ferenc Dietz
in part because it provides total security."
The water levels were already at 28.2 feet (8.60 meters) on Saturday and expected to rise to 29.4 feet (8.95 meters) at the peak of the flood — inching close up to the top of the river's flood fences
the Danube killed 150 people and left over 50,000 others homeless
the Danube was still on the rise in the towns of Sturovo and Komarno near the Hungarian border
The situation in Komarno was especially critical as several protective barriers started leaking and volunteers had arrived to reinforce them with sandbags
the waters were dropping further and cleanup work was under way
anti-flood measures were to remain in place as heavy rains and thunderstorms were forecast for the weekend
Pablo Gorondi contributed reporting from Budapest
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Mjam, Városház tér 2, Szentendre, Hungary
mister-baseball.com
Passionate about European baseball since 2007
One of the well-traveled men in International Baseball has found a new home in Hungary
joins the Hungarian club Szentendre Sleepwalkers for the upcoming season
Both sides agreed on a one-year contract but are open to a longer partnership
He is expected to arrive in Hungary in March and also will help out with the Hungarian Baseball and Softball Federation this year
Bennett attended San Francisco City College and West Valley College before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers
where he played for several minor league teams
He later also played in Australia and Europe
Most recently he led the Patriots Liberec in 2008 as a second-division team into the Czech Final Four and into the Extraleague
Last year Bennett was a member of Nekketsu Making in the Japanese Industrial League
More info on www.sleepwalkers.hu
When considering the species diversity of the living world or the hidden
according to the estimates by some researchers
we only have infromation about 10,000 species of the 300,000 – and according to others
as many as 700,000 – so-called microalgal species
as based on the rapid development of science and DNA sequencing methods of samples collected from the environment
one would assume that the identification of individual species is easier than this
and it has largely been carried out over the past decades,” said József Kutasi
honorary associate professor and research manager at Albitech Ltd
for the scientific description of a species
it is not enough to discover and analyse its DNA that is present in the environment
It is also essential that a pure culture of the new species – uncontaminated by other species – can be maintained under laboratory conditions
This critical step was made by Erika Greipel in our laboratory
the culture received in this way was subjected to DNA analyses as well as detailed light microscopy
Cultivating algal cultures is not an easy task
the same species is isolated and described simultaneously by researchers in various parts of the world
the nomenclature and taxonomy of microscopic algae is extremely complex
pure cultures of every new algal species must be submitted to culture collections so that other researchers can use and study them in the future
Green algae belonging to the genus Chlorococcum living in the seasonal Lake Kőhegy in Szentendre are still relatively large
so their cells can be observed in the form of small green spheres even under a light microscope
Tamás Felföldi and Katalin Solymosi have previously worked together on the characterisation of even smaller picoalgae
whose cells are less than two micrometres (that is
approximately a thousandth of the millimetre)
Together with Boglárka Somogyi and Lajos Vörös
researchers at the ELKH Balaton Limnological Research Institute
they described a new species of picoalgae and
they also helped to solve a complicated problem related to the nomenclature and taxonomy of another genus and species (Pseudochloris wilhelmii gen
there is hardly any perceptible morphological mark
sexual reproduction cannot necessarily be observed
the species can only be differentiated from one another based on such things as the pattern
and nanometre variations in the thickness of the cell walls
These detailed ultrastructural explorations cannot be performed with a light microscope
They require transmission electron microscopic analyses
The electron microscopic image of the Chlorococcum szentendrense (by Katalin Solymosi)
“It was not only the new species of the genus Chlorococcum also living on the soil surface that could be isolated from Lake Kőhegyi
but in the case of the two other isolated algal strains
it was not possible to describe a new species due to taxonomic and nomenclature problems,” Tamás Felföldi talked about the difficulties of the research
“The description and classification of these are made practically impossible by the fact that
the algal culture considered to be the closest relative or the same species on the basis of its DNA sequence died out from the culture collection a few years ago
so we simply have nothing to compare the new isolates with.”
it can be probably seen that the exploration of the hidden diversity and species richness of microalgae is a huge challenge for researchers
that most of the species described in this way may also be important to examine from the aspect of biochemistry or other applied research
there is not enough financial capacity or human resources for this
Many species of microalgae contain compounds that are important for medicine and industry
so it is plausible that the recently described species may also have such application potential for the future
One of the major benefits of work similar to the current investigation is that the research team primarily focusing on basic research at the university has direct contact with the industrial partner
there will also be capacity for further studies on the industrial applicability of the new algal species
This scientific work above was partly supported by the National Research
Tamás Felföldi and Katalin Solymosi received Bolyai János Research Scholarship from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Erika Greipel, József Kutasi, Katalin Solymosi, Hajnalka Nagy, and Tamás Felföldi (2022) Hidden diversity of Chlorococcum (Chlorophyta) in a shallow temporary freshwater lake: description of Chlorococcum szentendrense sp. nov. European Journal of Phycology, DOI: 10.1080/09670262.2022.2076291
This article was published in Hungarian in the 2022/26 issue of the journal Élet és Tudomány
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