The two-storey Dezső Laczkó Museum, decorated with red sandstone, is in the shadow of huge trees at the edge of Erzsébet Park. The former Bakonyi Museum awaits its visitors with permanent and temporary exhibitions all round the year. The permanent exhibition informs those interested about the past of Veszprém and its surroundings. The exhibitions are based on more than 100 years of collection. The forefather of today’s museum opened– owing to the work of director Dezső Laczkó – in 1904. Then mainly archaeological and natural science finds were displayed here. The expansion of the collection necessitated the acquisition of a separate building – today’s Dezső Laczkó Museum – that made it possible to display these valuable assets properly. The hall of the building is decorated with a painting by Erzsébet Udvardi and several statues. The 100-year-old four-storey cultural palace of the centre of Veszprém was constructed on the basis of István Medgyaszay’s design. The Veszprém County Museum and Library, the first public library of the country – today a goldmine for hundreds of researchers – as well as the databank and photo collection operated here. There are academic and educational lectures and events related to the exhibitions and collections, museum pedagogical classes so important for the youth in order to get to know our county, guided tours and the Museum Friends’ Club awaits those interested. In the souvenir shop you can buy academic and popular-science publications related to the findings of the researchers, copies of works of art and folk art products.
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Erzsébet sétány 1.
Phone: +36-88/564-330 www.vmmuzeum.hu
E-mail: titkar@vmmuzeum.hu
Opening hours: 19.05 - 15.10 10-18.00, 17.10 - 23.12 12-16.00 (except Monday)
Entrance fee: Adult: 600 Ft, Student/Pensioner: 300 Ft, Family: 1800 Ft
Current exhibitions: Negotiation/objects in speech situations. A selection from the cultural heritage of Veszprém County (from 19 May 2006.)
Fire Lookout Tower
Walking on from here we catch sight of the Fire Tower, one of the symbols of the town. Its foundation dates back to the period of King Béla IV when it functioned as a watchtower and had defensive purposes until the end of the Turkish period. The tower was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1801 and, due to its height of 48 metres, it was suitable for observing the town for signs of fire. For security’s sake, the citizens employed a full-time watch who had to keep a lookout day and night. The reconstruction plan of the Fire Tower was prepared by Henrik Tumler and this way the tower acquired its present-day shape between 1811-1817. The clock of the Rococo copper tower plays the recruiting music composed by Antal Csermák every hour but also strikes quarter-hourly.
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Vár u. 9.
Phone: +36-88/425-204
E-mail: arthouse@invitel.hu
Opening hours: 13.03-07.05. 10-17.00, 08.05.-31.10. 10-18.00
Entrance fee: for adults: 300 Ft, for adult groups: 250 Ft, for students/pensioners: 200 Ft, for student/pensioner groups: 150 Ft, for families: 600 Ft
Modern Gallery - Vass László Collection
Similarly to the rain slowly falling down the rocks and filling the holes with glittering water, the small nooks of Várhegy (Castle Hill) are filled up with museums. The square opening by the castle gate is also small and concealed. Number 3 was built in eclectic style on the former medieval castle gate while the Gothic arch of the entrance dates back to the 19th century. The neighbouring buildings (number 5 and 7) were less valuable. The steep dirt road used to lead to the Fire Tower. At that time poor artisans used to live here in their plain, small houses: sieve-makers, carpenters and shoemakers. Now that they have been restored on the basis of architect Gábor Turányi’s plans their historic beauty is clearly visible. They were renovated in order to give home to the new museum of modern art: the collection of László Vass. In the past few years the works of Hungarian artists have been enriched with the statues, pictures and reproduced graphics of the greatest masters of European abstraction. The desire of the collector was that in time some of the works would be placed into this gallery. He expected the works constituting the collection to emphasise some significant chapters of 19th century art: primarily those of the movements of constructivism and abstraction. He aspired to represent several periods of the same artist and to present significant watercolours, chalk-drawings and sketches related to the paintings and statues as well. It is not a secret any longer that the Vass Collection is being extended for the collection in Veszprém.
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Vár u. 3-5-7.
Phone: +36-88/425-204, +36-88/561-310 www.vasscollection.hu
E-mail: info@vasscollection.hu
Opening hours: 01.11.-07.05. 10-17.00 except Monday, 08.05.-31.10. 10-18.00 every day
Entrance fee: for adults: 500 Ft, for adult groups: 300 Ft, for students/pensioners: 400 Ft, for student/pensioner groups: 200 Ft
Dubniczay House
On the right Dubniczay House creates a borderline between Vár utca and Szentháromság tér (Holy Trinity Square). On its frontispiece with symmetric windows and tympanum two angels are holding the picture of the Mother of Good Advice. There is a huge 16th century stone arched cellar under the courtyard. During the excavations the traces of a stable, castle wall, canon bastion and casamate were found. The Brick Collection of the Hungarian Construction Museum can be found in this house. The building is under reconstruction after which it will be given a new function: the collection of the Basel-based art collector Károly László will open in autumn 2006 and the Brick Collection of the Hungarian Construction Museum will also find a new, more becoming environment here.
The Hungarian Construction Museum has been collecting the relics of the construction and construction material industry from the whole territory of Hungary for nearly two decades. Apart from the tools and products of craftsmen working in the building industry, written documents of the crafts also constitute part of the collection. The museum has three units. The main building can be found in the former stove-maker house below the Castle – a building that also gives home to the impressive reference library of the museum. The speciality of the house is enhanced by the fact that the garden adjoining the nicely renovated building offers one of the best views of the town. The brick collection of the museum can be viewed in the Castle, offering a unique collection of Hungarian stamped bricks. The Open-air Collection of the Construction Museum displays construction machines.
Hungarian Construction Museum
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Szent István u. 7.
Phone: +36-88/578-310
E-mail: epmuzeum@vnet.hu
Opening hours: all year round from Monday to Friday: 8-16 h, Saturday and Sunday: by former request
Free entrance
The Brick Collection of the Hungarian Construction Museum - Tegularium
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Vár u. 29.
Phone: +36-88/578-310
E-mail: epmuzeum@vnet.hu
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10-18.00
Entrance fee: adults: 300 Ft, groups: 200 Ft, students/pensioners: 200 Ft, groups: 150 Ft, families: 600 Ft, photoes: 100 Ft/ photoes/video: 200 Ft
The Open-air Collection of the Hungarian Construction Museum
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Házgyári u. 1.
Phone: +36-88/578-310
E-mail: epmuzeum@vnet.hu
Opening hours: all year round, Monday-Friday 8-15.00, Saturday-Sunday: by former request
Free entrance
Archbishop's Palace
The Archbishop’s Palace is one of the gems of Szentháromság tér. This building – erected in the place of the former Queen’s Palace and the former Acsádi Palace – was built on the basis of Jakab Fellner’s design. The Baroque palace was completed in 1776 but at the end of the 19th century the building as well as the frescoes had to be restored. The 20th century did not spare the building either, consequently, conservation work was necessitated again. The last renovation was completed in 1996 – the year of the millennium. On the ornamental front of the building we can see the coat of arms of the Koller family – a reminder of the fact that the palace was built on the order of Bishop Ignác Koller. With its inner terrace and garden the building also offers an imposing view from the eastern side of the Castle, from the valley. Several valuable paintings and works of art can be found in the palace. Among these the frescoes prepared by Cymbal I. Johann are outstanding. The episcopal and prebendal archives and library also operate in this building.
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Vár u. 16-18.
Phone: +36-88/426-088 www.ersekseg.veszprem.hu
E-mail: ersekseg@ersekseg.veszprem.hu
Opening hours: 02.05 – 20.10. 10-17.00, except Monday
Entrance fee: Adult: 500 Ft, Student/Pensioner: 250 Ft
Gisella Chapel
The Gisella Chapel next to the Archbishop’s Palace is said to have been founded by Blessed Gisella, the wife of St Stephen, our first apostolic king. Today’s Gothic building, which dates back to the 18th century, was almost completely destroyed in the Turkish period. The interior is one of the oldest in Hungary, making the chapel one of the most important sights of Veszprém. Not only the keystones of the vaults are exceptionally rare and old but also the frescoes of the apostles decorating the walls since the 13th century. The chapel can be divided into three units: two squarish rectangular and a square-shaped chancels. The Chapel was renovated in the 1930s and the inscription visible on the altar “The faith of our ancestors, the hope of the future” was born at that time.
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Vár u. 18.
Phone: +36-88/426-088 www.ersekseg.veszprem.hu
E-mail: ersekseg@ersekseg.veszprem.hu
Opening hours: 02.05-31.10. 10-17.00, except Monday
Entrance fee: Adult: 200 Ft, Student/Pensioner: 100 Ft
St. Michael’s Cathedral
The other determining building of the square is St Michael’s Cathedral. The original St Michael’s Church, which probably dates back to the time of Prince Géza, was already mentioned in the Pannonhalma Charter (1001). The cathedral was destroyed by fire several times and the early 18th century saw the restoration of the original Romanesque red-white stone church in Gothic style. The undercroft was also constructed at that time. During a later rebuilding, the basilica lost its Baroque features: its towers were raised by several metres and reshaped in Romanesque style. The cathedral’s beauty is enhanced by the numerous glass windows depicting saints. The nave is barrel vaulted and it has a coffered wooden ceiling. The entrance to the undercroft is by the sanctuary and there you can see the armoried tomb of general and Bishop Péter Beriszló, leading to the larger chamber of Márton Padányi Bíró’s monument. St Michael’s Cathedral has guarded the relic of Queen Blessed Gisella, who played an important role in the construction of the church, since 1996.
The Tejfalussy House, which gives home to the collection of the Queen Gisella Museum, was built in the early 1770s. The museum displays church relics from different churches: the legacy of bishops and prelates and the donations of queens. In the basement there is an impressive stone store giving a sample not only of the relics of the town but also of those of further regions. One of the most precious pieces of the collection is Albert Vetési’s orphrey decorated robe from the year 1480.
Address: H-8200 Veszprém, Vár u. 35.
Phone: +36-88/426-088 www.ersekseg.veszprem.hu
E-mail: ersekseg@ersekseg.veszprem.hu
Opening hours: 01.05. – 31.10. every day 10-17.00
Entrance fee: Adult: 300 Ft, Student/Pensioner: 150 Ft
Viaduct
Looking to the left from the statues of the royal couple or from Benedek-hegy you can see one of the famous symbols of Veszprém, the Viadukt (Viaduct) spanning across Fejes-völgy (Fejes Valley). Szent István Völgyhíd (St Stephen’s Valley Bridge) – 50 metres above the winding Séd Brook – leads to St Ladislas’ Church. From the bridge there is a wonderful view of both the town and the area: to the left we can see the Castle, to the west Betekints-völgy (Betekints Valley) and to the north the range of Bakony-hegység (the Bakony Mountains).
The Kálmán Kittenberger Zoo
The Plant and Wildlife Park named after the reputed Africa explorer, Kálmán Kittenberger (Zoo) was established in the picturesque environment of Fejes-völgy. Approximately 600 animals of 125 animal species live in the area exceeding 13 hectares. Apart from the species found in nearly every zoo, there are also zoological rarities in the Veszprém Wildlife Park such as the Sumatran tiger, the karaka or the Pere David’s deer. Much to the enjoyment of local inhabitants as well as tourists, significant improvements have taken place in the past few years: the Kamchatka brown bear bears received a new pen, a beautiful bird conservatory and a Nature Conservation Rescue Centre and exhibition hall was built. Guests can also go horse riding in the Riding School of the Zoo. The permanent sights are complemented with interesting and useful cultural programmes.
Walking on from here we catch sight of the Fire Tower, one of the symbols of the town. Its foundation dates back to the period of King Béla IV when it functioned as a watchtower and had defensive purposes until the end of the Turkish period. The tower was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1801 and, due to its height of 48 metres, it was suitable for observing the town for signs of fire. For security’s sake, the citizens employed a full-time watch who had to keep a lookout day and night. The reconstruction plan of the Fire Tower was prepared by Henrik Tumler and this way the tower acquired its present-day shape between 1811-1817. The clock of the Rococo copper tower plays the recruiting music composed by Antal Csermák every hour but also strikes quarter-hourly. 
Similarly to the rain slowly falling down the rocks and filling the holes with glittering water, the small nooks of Várhegy (Castle Hill) are filled up with museums. The square opening by the castle gate is also small and concealed. Number 3 was built in eclectic style on the former medieval castle gate while the Gothic arch of the entrance dates back to the 19th century. The neighbouring buildings (number 5 and 7) were less valuable. The steep dirt road used to lead to the Fire Tower. At that time poor artisans used to live here in their plain, small houses: sieve-makers, carpenters and shoemakers. Now that they have been restored on the basis of architect Gábor Turányi’s plans their historic beauty is clearly visible. They were renovated in order to give home to the new museum of modern art: the collection of László Vass. In the past few years the works of Hungarian artists have been enriched with the statues, pictures and reproduced graphics of the greatest masters of European abstraction. The desire of the collector was that in time some of the works would be placed into this gallery. He expected the works constituting the collection to emphasise some significant chapters of 19th century art: primarily those of the movements of constructivism and abstraction. He aspired to represent several periods of the same artist and to present significant watercolours, chalk-drawings and sketches related to the paintings and statues as well. It is not a secret any longer that the Vass Collection is being extended for the collection in Veszprém. 
The Hungarian Construction Museum has been collecting the relics of the construction and construction material industry from the whole territory of Hungary for nearly two decades. Apart from the tools and products of craftsmen working in the building industry, written documents of the crafts also constitute part of the collection. The museum has three units. The main building can be found in the former stove-maker house below the Castle – a building that also gives home to the impressive reference library of the museum. The speciality of the house is enhanced by the fact that the garden adjoining the nicely renovated building offers one of the best views of the town. The brick collection of the museum can be viewed in the Castle, offering a unique collection of Hungarian stamped bricks. The Open-air Collection of the Construction Museum displays construction machines. 
The Archbishop’s Palace is one of the gems of Szentháromság tér. This building – erected in the place of the former Queen’s Palace and the former Acsádi Palace – was built on the basis of Jakab Fellner’s design. The Baroque palace was completed in 1776 but at the end of the 19th century the building as well as the frescoes had to be restored. The 20th century did not spare the building either, consequently, conservation work was necessitated again. The last renovation was completed in 1996 – the year of the millennium. On the ornamental front of the building we can see the coat of arms of the Koller family – a reminder of the fact that the palace was built on the order of Bishop Ignác Koller. With its inner terrace and garden the building also offers an imposing view from the eastern side of the Castle, from the valley. Several valuable paintings and works of art can be found in the palace. Among these the frescoes prepared by Cymbal I. Johann are outstanding. The episcopal and prebendal archives and library also operate in this building. 
The Gisella Chapel next to the Archbishop’s Palace is said to have been founded by Blessed Gisella, the wife of St Stephen, our first apostolic king. Today’s Gothic building, which dates back to the 18th century, was almost completely destroyed in the Turkish period. The interior is one of the oldest in Hungary, making the chapel one of the most important sights of Veszprém. Not only the keystones of the vaults are exceptionally rare and old but also the frescoes of the apostles decorating the walls since the 13th century. The chapel can be divided into three units: two squarish rectangular and a square-shaped chancels. The Chapel was renovated in the 1930s and the inscription visible on the altar “The faith of our ancestors, the hope of the future” was born at that time. 
The other determining building of the square is St Michael’s Cathedral. The original St Michael’s Church, which probably dates back to the time of Prince Géza, was already mentioned in the Pannonhalma Charter (1001). The cathedral was destroyed by fire several times and the early 18th century saw the restoration of the original Romanesque red-white stone church in Gothic style. The undercroft was also constructed at that time. During a later rebuilding, the basilica lost its Baroque features: its towers were raised by several metres and reshaped in Romanesque style. The cathedral’s beauty is enhanced by the numerous glass windows depicting saints. The nave is barrel vaulted and it has a coffered wooden ceiling. The entrance to the undercroft is by the sanctuary and there you can see the armoried tomb of general and Bishop Péter Beriszló, leading to the larger chamber of Márton Padányi Bíró’s monument. St Michael’s Cathedral has guarded the relic of Queen Blessed Gisella, who played an important role in the construction of the church, since 1996. 
The Tejfalussy House, which gives home to the collection of the Queen Gisella Museum, was built in the early 1770s. The museum displays church relics from different churches: the legacy of bishops and prelates and the donations of queens. In the basement there is an impressive stone store giving a sample not only of the relics of the town but also of those of further regions. One of the most precious pieces of the collection is Albert Vetési’s orphrey decorated robe from the year 1480. 
Looking to the left from the statues of the royal couple or from Benedek-hegy you can see one of the famous symbols of Veszprém, the Viadukt (Viaduct) spanning across Fejes-völgy (Fejes Valley). Szent István Völgyhíd (St Stephen’s Valley Bridge) – 50 metres above the winding Séd Brook – leads to St Ladislas’ Church. From the bridge there is a wonderful view of both the town and the area: to the left we can see the Castle, to the west Betekints-völgy (Betekints Valley) and to the north the range of Bakony-hegység (the Bakony Mountains). 
The Plant and Wildlife Park named after the reputed Africa explorer, Kálmán Kittenberger (Zoo) was established in the picturesque environment of Fejes-völgy. Approximately 600 animals of 125 animal species live in the area exceeding 13 hectares. Apart from the species found in nearly every zoo, there are also zoological rarities in the Veszprém Wildlife Park such as the Sumatran tiger, the karaka or the Pere David’s deer. Much to the enjoyment of local inhabitants as well as tourists, significant improvements have taken place in the past few years: the Kamchatka brown bear bears received a new pen, a beautiful bird conservatory and a Nature Conservation Rescue Centre and exhibition hall was built. Guests can also go horse riding in the Riding School of the Zoo. The permanent sights are complemented with interesting and useful cultural programmes.