Székesfehérvár, the former Alba Regia, deserves the epithet “Royal”: it was the coronation city for more than half a millennium and the burial site of Hungarian kings. It is a beloved tourist destination with its diverse cultural life and many sights to see.
After the Middle Ages, in the 1700s, the city became an episcopal seat. The downtown was rebuilt in a baroque style. Walking along the main street, you may see the Orb, the medieval Garden of Ruins, the City Hall, the Bishop’s Palace, the Franciscan Church and the Cistercian Church, but one should also pay attention to the facades of the many smaller buildings created in similar fashion.
Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, built upon a hill, looms above the downtown buildings. It gained its present form in 1777, since then it is an episcopal cathedral as well.
The museums of the downtown host valuable collections: the Black Eagle Pharmacy Museum exhibits ancient tools of medicine making, while the King Saint Stephen Museum hosts the second largest archaeology collection in the country. The Doll’s House of Fehérvár displays the toys used by middle class children from the 18th till the 20th century and miniature furniture – an amazing experience for adults as well.
You should also go into the baroque buildings and take a look at their inner yards. The one on Kossuth Street is truly unique; you can see a clock-play featuring our kings and saints. The museum street in the open-air museum (Skanzen) won the Europa Nostra Award. Its major attraction is the Byzantium-style Rác Church with its colourful frescos and an altar screen.
A unique and special trademark of Székesfehérvár is the romantic Bory Castle, a knights’ castle built according to the plans of Jenő Bory, and the former home of his family. Today it hosts an exhibition displaying the works of Jenő Bory and his wife, Ilona Komócsin.
The cultural diversity of the city is reflected in the annual events: the “Royal Wedding”, “Royal Days”, and music played on a stage with original settings at the “Town Hall Square”.
Tourinform Székesfehérvár
8000 Székesfehérvár, Városház tér 1.
Tel.: 00 36 22 537-261 Fax: 00 36 22 340-330
E-mail: szekesfehervar@tourinform.hu
