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Szentendre on the Danube, HungaryA Fascinating Village Near Budapest With Museums, Shops and a Skanze
Explore this village with Serbian roots that lies on the Danube River not far from Budapest. Plenty of museums, shops, and galleries make for a good day's outing.
Szentendre is a living example of the saying that good things come in small packages. This picturesque little village, 20 kms north of Budapest, lying on the Danube, has a reputation as an artists’ colony, and is a cornucopia of things to do and see. Long HistoryThroughout its long history, it’s been inhabited by Celts, Romans, and of course the Hungarians, but its architectural stamp is Serbian. Among the thirteen religious buildings in the village, don’t miss the Pozarevacka Church – the iconostasis dates back to 1742. Tangle of StreetsThe village heart is a tangle of cobblestone streets lined by colourful handicraft shops, restaurants and galleries. The shops, hidden courtyards, and stairways leading to streets on another level all beg to be explored. Some shops worth looking at include a Russian one, selling beautifully handcrafts artefacts, and a blue shop, where all the goods are blue. Lovely HousesFo Tér is the centre of the old town. It has an unusual Plague cross, and is surrounded by lovely 18th and 19th century houses. There are also plenty of art galleries – the guide from the tourist information office lists 16 of them! – and a great batch of museums, both informative and quirky. Marzipan MuseumVisit the Marzipan museum, and marvel at work that’s gone into exhibits such as the Houses of Parliament, life-sized figures of prominent people, and fruits and vegetables. On the ground floor there’s a café for cakes, tea, and also plenty of souvenir marzipan pieces to purchase. Wine Museum and RestaurantThere’s also a wine museum in a very atmospheric cellar, reminiscent of a working wine cellar, with a display of the wine making techniques, equipment and samples of wine from all the Hungarian regions; entry is free if you eat in the restaurant upstairs. Amazing Micro ArtDon’t miss the Micro Art exhibition, in the Korona restaurant. This amazing artist has managed to get not only one camel through the eye of the needle, but four of them, plus a palm tree and a pyramid. It’s truly fascinating – masterpieces on a miniature scale. SkanzenBack to normal size, there’s the Skanzen three kms away – it’s got examples of the architectural techniques and building styles from all over Hungary. Peasant houses, a wooden church, and various farm buildings make up the village. Over the weekends, and during some of the special days, there are crafts people in costume demonstrating various old crafts such as candle making, work working, pottery, and so on. Other AttractionsThere’s also an oil lamp collection, showing how things were lit up in style in the old days, and a exhibition of radio history. Getting ThereSzentendre can be easily reached by car along Road 11, bus leave Árpád Híd bus station at regular intervals, and there also the HEV train from the Batthyány Square (Red Metro line) to the end station at Szentendre. By Boat From BudapestBut one of the most pleasant ways to travel here is by boat. It takes longer than the train, but it's extremely nice, gliding peacefully along the river and then disembarking at the village. The boat leaves Budapest on the Pest side at Vigadó Tér.
The copyright of the article Szentendre on the Danube, Hungary in Hungary Travel is owned by Christiane Birkett. Permission to republish Szentendre on the Danube, Hungary in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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