Esztergom and hotels nearby.
The capture of the town by the Turks in the sixteenth century curtailed the Church's influence until the nineteenth century, when a concerted campaign was started by the Catholic Church to restore Esztergom as its center.
As a pillar of the ancien regime, the Church was ruthlessly attacked during the Rákosi era, when hundreds of priests were tortured and jailed. It is claimed that Esztergom's basilica was well maintained because Khruschev's wife was particularly fond of it. However in its change of approach the regime settled for a modus vivendi from the Sixties onwards, hoping to enlist the Church's help with social problems and to harness the patriotic spirit of the faithful.
The avowedly Christian government elected in 1990 did its best to restore prestige and property to the Church, while the return of the reform communists in 1994 has sparked off new worries about anti-Church policies. One change in the local landscape has been the arrival of the Suzuki car plant which you pass as you enter town by train.
Picture Gallery of Esztergom
The Town
Esztergom's craggy Basilica Hill is the natural focus of attention. It was here that Prince Géza established the royal seat. Subsequently his son Stephen chose it as the site of Hungary’s first cathedral. His coronation by a papal envoy on Christmas Day 1000 AD signified the country's recognition by Christendom. In 1991, the hill was the setting for two events symbolizing the Church's triumph over Communism: the reburial of the exiled Cardinal Mindszenty and the first papal visit to Hungary.
The Basilica
Esztergom's Basilica is the largest in Hungary, measuring 118m in length and 40m in width, capped by a dome 100m high. Built on the site of the medieval basilica ruined by the Turks, it was begun by Pál Kühneland and Janos Packh in 1822, and finally completed by Jozsef Hild in 1869. It was consecrated thirteen year earlier in 1856 (as soon as the dome was in place), and Liszt's Gran Mass was composed for the occasion - Gran being the German name for Esztergom.
As befits what is claimed to be the fifth largest church in the world, its nave is on a massive scale, clad in marble, gilding and mosaics. To the left of the entrance is the lavish red marble Bakócz Chapel. Archbishop Tamás Bakócz from the original basilica for which it was commissioned salvaged its Florentine altar. It was this prelate whose papal ambitions were dashed when "his" crusade turned into the great peasants' revolt of 1514. The Venetian Michelangelo Grigoletti, based on Titian’s, painted the basilica’s main altarpiece Assumption in the Frari Church in Venice.
Don't miss the crypt, which resembles a set from a Dracula film with giant stone women flanking the stairway down to gloomy vaults full of entombed prelates. Though several other mausoleums look more arresting, it is the tomb of Cardinal Mindszenty that transfixes Hungarians. The walls of the crypt are 17m thick, to support the weight of the basilica.
Having seen the overpowering collection
of bejeweled crooks and chalices and kitsch papal souvenirs in the
treasury, it is almost a relief to climb the seemingly endless
stairway to the bell tower.
The stifling
heat inside the cupola and the pigeon droppings within the bellroom are
forgotten the moment you step outside and see the magnificent view of
Esztergom, with Slovak Sturovo across the water.
Tickets for the treasury (kincstar) and bell tower (harangtorony) are sold
at the entrance to the crypt.
Map of the Danube Bend with Esztergom
Hotels nearby
Hotel Silvanus
4-star hotel in Visegrád
Hotel Silvanus with the most beautiful view to the Danube Bend is to be found in the historical Visegrad, 48 kms from Budapest, on the right side of the Danube river.
Thermal Hotel Visegrád
4-star hotel in Visegrád
This 4-star thermal and conference hotel is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Hungary in the picturesque surroundings of the Dunakanyar (Danube Bend), near Visegrad, right next door to the famous Lepence Thermal Bath.
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7Seasons Apartments Budapest: Much more space, separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchen, free wireless broadband internet and home entertainment system - much comfortable than staying in a traditional hotel with more privacy and greater freedom!
Vivaldi Apartments
The Vivaldi Apartments are located close to the Danube river in a tranquil residential area of Budapest and offer you modern apartHotel with free WiFi.
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Budget accommodations (3 star hotels)
- Casati Hotel Budapest
- Housed in an 18th-century building, the adult-only Casati Budapest Hotel is a boutique hotel located in the historic Terézváros District of Budapest. The hotel won the Hungarian Hotel of the Year Award in the 3-star category in 2015. It features a landscaped courtyard and interiors decorated with original works of art.
- Hotel City Inn
- New, modern 3***superior hotel in a quiet downtown street, a few minutes from the pedestrian quarter, the National Museum and four others, ideal for business and city break travelers. Just 3 mins walk to public transport (subway/metro, tram), only 20 mins from the airport.
- Ibis Budapest City Hotel
- Situated on the Pest side in the heart of the cityat Blaha Lujza square in the business and shopping centre of the city, the smoke-free Ibis Budapest City offers free WiFi.
The main cultural and tourist attractions can be reached easily.
Apartments
- Innercity Apartments
- InnerCity Apartments, the home of self-catering Budapest apartment rentals. We specialise in providing short-stay apartments for leisure and business travellers who want more from their stay in Budapest. Our clients enjoy spacious, comfortable, well-managed accommodation in Budapest's finest central locations, at up to 30% less than hotel rooms of equivalent standard.
- 7Seasons Apartments - The newly opened 7Seasons Apartments are situated in the heart of downtown Budapest, offering modern apartments with high standard equipment; the building is easy to access by public transportation, and those arriving by car can park in a subterranian garage
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Hotel Makár Sport & Wellness
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Hotel Senator House
(Eger) - Senatorhaz Eger can be found in a delightful 18th century townhouse, situated on the historical main square (Dobo ter) of Eger, and within a few yards of the castle ramparts. -
Hotel Irottkö
(Kőszeg) - The best-known hotel of the picturesque, historical town of Köszeg can be found on the romantic main square. They await its guests with 52 recently renovated cosy rooms.