Veszprém earned the nickname “The City of Queens” because the bishops of Veszprém crowned the wives of every Hungarian monarch. Veszprém capitalizes on its rich historical heritage, convenient proximity to Lake Balaton, and relative proximity to Budapest to become one of the country’s most important tourist destinations.

Sights of Veszprém
Veszprém boasts numerous preserved landmarks from the Middle Ages. The most prominent are located on Castle Hill, approached by the picturesque Ferenc Rákóczi Street. It ends in a square of the same name, housing the Town Hall, built in the 19th century. Nearby is the fire tower. Before the great earthquake of 1810, it served as a clock tower, but when local authorities decided to demolish the heavily damaged structure, the townspeople opposed the idea and proposed converting it into a fire tower. On Vár Street stands the Baroque Bishop’s Palace. It features the bishop’s coat of arms, with winged angels supporting garlands hanging from a vase.

The central square is dominated by the Holy Trinity Column, with figures of Saints Martin, Emery, Stephen, Mary Magdalene, and George.

St. Michael’s Cathedral was where Hungarian queens were crowned, so it is richly decorated with vibrant stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and intricate wall patterns. The oldest elements of the church are the altar and crypt, dating back to the 10th century.

The Queen Gisela Diocesan Museum displays church treasures from the Veszprém bishopric from the 15th to 20th centuries, including paintings, sculptures, embossed items, and textiles.

At the top of the Castle Hill stands one of the symbols of Veszprém: the monument to Queen Gisela and King Stephen I. Next to the sculpture there is an observation tower, which offers a fantastic view of the Var Valley.