Sights in Szombathely

Agora Cellar Gallery
Thematic exhibitions of contemporary artists, craftsmen and photographers.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Fő tér 10.
Telephone: +36 (94) 509-641
Fax: +36 (94) 511-368
E-mail: info@agora-savaria.hu
Website: http://www.agorasavaria.hu
The gallery is open only in specific opening hours during the exhibitions.

Eölbei House
This late baroque building with classicistic features, designed by Menyhért Hefele was built in 1796. A sitting statue of János Szily – the first bishop of Szombathely – is located in front of it.
Address: Szombathely, Szily János u.
Remark: not open for visit

Ecclesiastical Seminary
The Seminary, one of the collection of the Baroque buildings in Temple Square, was built in 1780, and started operating in 1790. Before that the city’s first printing press operated here. The Diocesan Library is situated on the second floor with 80,000 volumes in its fancy halls. Outstanding items in the collection are Medieval Codices and special incunables.
Remark: the library can be visited by appointment on the days indicated throughout the year.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Szily János u. 1.
Telephone: +36 (94) 509-763, +35 (30) 995-7706
E-mail: konyvtar@martinus.hu
Web: www.martinus.hu
Library opening hours:
Maj-Sept 2011
Tue-Wed: Research Day: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (The research service is free of charge)
Thu to Fri: visitors day: 8.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m, receipt and guidance of groups by appointment. Guidance starts at 9.00, 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 and 3.00 p.m.
okt 2011 - april 2012
Tue-Wed: Research Day: 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (The research service is free of charge)
Thu to Fri: visitors day: 8.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m, receipt and guidance of groups by appointment. Guidance starts at 9.00, 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 and 3.00 p.m.

Admission fees are given on the library’s website: http://www.konyvtar.martinus.hu/

Szombathely Episcopal Archives

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Szily János u. 2.
Telephone: +36 (94) 506-996, +36 (94) 506-997
Website: http://www.martinus.hu/puspoki_leveltar
Research hours: Mon, Tue, Thu: 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Sat: closed, Fri: 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m.
Admission: free Discount: n.a.
Remark: Open for research purposes only.

The Cathedral
Hungary’s third largest church, major work by Menyhért Hefele, was built by Bishop János Szily in the place of the demolished castle church and palace, on Roman ruins. It is laid out in the form of a Latin Cross, with an extended sanctuary and short transepts. This is where Adolf Kunc and Loránd Eötvös repeated the pendulum experiment proving the rotation of the Earth. In the Second World War the cathedral was seriously damaged during the bombing raid on the city – only a small portion of the beautiful ceiling frescoes and altar paintings could be saved. The periodic restoration of the temple continues to this day.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Széchenyi István u. 8.
Telephone: +36 (94) 313-242
E-mail: foplebania@martinus.hu
Website: http://www.martinus.hu

István Járdányi Paulovics Garden of Ruins
The visitor to Szombathely will find the most extensive contiguous set of remains of Savaria in the Garden of Ruins. During the excavation of this area, the remains of 1st to 4th century and medieval buildings came to light: an imperial palace, public baths, a customs house, a sanctuary to mercury, workshops, potters’ kilns, Roman road remains, mosaics and a castle. Its most valuable part is the palace complex. The floor of the enormous hall was originally covered by mosaics which even in their presented fragmented condition form the largest remaining mosaic surface from Pannonia. In 2001 a permanent exhibition was opened which displays the most important finds from the potters' quarter and Savaria as whole.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Mindszenti József tér
Telephone: +36 (94) 313-369
Opening hours: 15 March - 30 November, Tuesday to Sunday: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Admission fee: HUF 600, Discount: students, pensioners: HUF 300, students (groups of 15 or above): HUF 250, families: HUF 1,200.
Remark: Guidance by appointment only, in Hungarian: HUF 2,000, in foreign languages: HUF 6,000. A day ticket is also available for Szombathely museums: Adults: HUF 1,500, students, pensioners: HUF 750 families: HUF 2,800

Bishop’s Palace
Szombathely’s most beautiful late Baroque palace was built on the basis of designs made by Menyhért Hefele at the end of the 18th century in the vicinity of the one-time medieval castle church. An ornamented staircase leads from the ground floor arched carriage entrance to the most beautiful room of the palace, which is decorated by the murals and frescoes of Anton Maulbertsch. In 1991 Pope John-Paul II blessed the congregation from the balcony. The Bishop’s Palace is not generally open to the public.

Szombathely Diocesan Treasury - Sala Terrena
Sala Terrena, Hungary’s first museum, with the display of a collection of inscribed stones from the Roman period , collected in the one-time medieval castle and then by Bishop János Szily, even admired by King Matthew. The walls are decorated by frescoes of Dorffmaister portraying life in ancient Savaria.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Berzsenyi Dániel tér 3.
Telephone: +36 (94) 317-929, +36 (94) 318-538
E-mail: muzeum@martinus.hu
Website: www.muzeum.martinus.hu
Opening hours: From May to September
Admission: Adults: HUF 700, Students and pensioners: HUF 550, Student groups (more than 15 people) HUF 500, Family ticket: 2 adults and 2 children: HUF 2,200, Pilgrim: HUF 450.
Remark: Guidance is available for HUF 3,000/occasion in Hungarian, HUF 5,000/occasion in German and English.
 

The County Cultural Centre Medium Gallery
The gallery houses only temporary exhibitions of contemporary arts, handicrafts and photography, folk arts.

Contact Details
Address: Szombathely, Ady Endre tér 5.
Telephone: +36 (94) 312-535
E-mail: info@mail.vmmik.hu
Website: http://www.vmmik.hu
Opening hours: all year, Monday to Friday: 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Admission: HUF 200, discount: children and groups: HUF 100
Remark: Guidance by arrangement on weekdays, depending on the exhibition.

Smidt Museum
The house was built onto the south-eastern bastion of the medieval castle. The walls of the bastion support the cellar and the basement arches. The museum was founded by Dr Lajos Smidt, who was the chief doctor at the hospital and handed over his private collection to Szombathely and the County in 1968. The permanent exhibition: artefacts from Vas County, military history collection (1848-1849, World Wards I and II, 1956, collection of swords and sabres from the Monarchy), collection of medals and coins, medical history exhibition, glass arts exhibition, exhibition of antique and rare books (16th to 18th centuries), baroque, empire and Biedermeier furniture collection (furniture, porcelains, filigrees, paintings, clocks and watches, history of wear)

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Hollán Ernő u. 2.
Telephone: +36 (94) 311-038
E-mail: postmaster@smidtmuzeum.t-online.hu
Website: www.smidt-muzeum.hu/
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
March 10- December 20. Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00-17.00
Admission: HUF 700, Discount: students, pensioners: HUF 350, family ticket ( min. 2 adults, 2 children) : HUF 1,400, discount for student groups (more than 15 persons): HUF 300
Remark: guided tour in Hungarian: HUF 2,000, guided tour in German or English: HUF 6,000.

County Hall
This baroque style building was erected between 1775 and 1779, today’s façade being designed by Alajos Hauszmann. The building houses the offices of the County Council.

Contact Details
Address: 9700 Szombathely, Berzsenyi D. tér 1.
Telephone: +36 (94) 515-700
Fax: +36 (94) 515-709
E-mail: info@vasmegye.hu
Website: http://www.vasmegye.hu/

Isis Gallery
The exhibition and sale of the works of well-known contemporary artists take place here. The material is constantly being changed.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Kossuth L. u. 19.
Telephone: +36 (20)216-68-26 +36 (70) 520-24-81
E-mail: info@isisgaleria.hu
Website: http:/www.isisgaleria.hu/
Opening hours: all year, Mon-Fri: 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Sat: 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

The Iseum
Perhaps the most well-known architectural monument of Szombathely’s ancient past is the sanctuary devoted to the goddess Isis. Archaeological investigations and restoration work are currently in process and during this time the Iseum cannot be visited.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Rákóczi F. u. 1.

Gallery of Szombathely
The Gallery of Szombathely, built in 1985, is a museum with a national collection and houses 15-20 temporary exhibitions a year. Its permanent collection includes older items from the 17th to 19th centuries but most of the works on display are those of 20th century Hungarian artists. Many pictures are from the new wave of paintings produced in the 1980s but currently the collection is focusing on the work of younger artists. The gallery is home to a collection of contemporary textiles, consisting of 2500 items obtained mainly from the Textile Biennials, which have been connected with Szombathely since the 1970s.
Permanent exhibition: a selection from the Gallery’s 20th century collection. The main emphasis in the collection is laid on the neo avant-garde generation of the 1960s-70s, representatives of conceptualism, and works by the young artists of the 90s.Works from the 1920s-30s by such artists as Gyula Derkovits, István Huber Dési, Béla Veszelszky, Lajos Kassák and Imre Ámos, have been displayed.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Rákóczi F. u. 12.
Telephone: +36 (94) 508-800
Website: http://www.keptar.szombathely.hu/
Opening hours: Tue: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Wed: 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Thu-Sat: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m Sun-Mon: closed
Fine Arts Library: Wed-Thu: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

The Synagogue
Ludwig Schöne designed the former Jewish Temple with oriental and romantic elements. Since 1975 it has been used as a concert hall. Next to the building stands a monument to the Jews deported during the Second World War.
Contact details:
Adress: Szombathely, Batthyány tér
Telephone: 94/512-890

Saint Elizabeth’s Church
In 1360 the Italian Franciscan monk Giovanni Sienna built this church in gothic style – the foundation walls of the original building still stand. Before, in Middle Ages a hospital temple was erected here in honour of Saint Antal the Hermit with a spital next to it. The nave of the church was reconstructed to baroque style in the 1630s but the sanctuary preserved its original style, making it the prime gothic monument in the city. On one of the side altars the oldest picture of the walled city can be seen. The altars and the pulpit are worthy of mention in the baroque furnishing.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Aréna u. 1.
Telephone: 94/311-689
 

Saint Martin’s Church
The church built, according to the tradition, above the saint’s place of birth is the only place of worship continuously used since the 4th Century in the Carpathian basin. A church was erected already in the 9th century in the place of the original cemetery chapel.
The sanctuary retains Roman and Gothic features but was given its current Baroque form between 1668 and 1672. On the well in front of the church there is a statue by Rumi Rajki István of Saint Martin baptizing his mother, reminding the city of its connection with its most famous son.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Szent Márton u. 40.
Telephone: 94/505-570

Savaria Museum
Permanent Exhibitions: “Lands, Eras, and Settlements” – this exhibition shows the history of land and people in western Transdanubia, highlighting the palaeolithic village Sé, the Velem-Saint Vid bronze age town and Roman Savaria. The Apostle Statues of Ják, the finest pieces of late Roman Art in Hungary, can be seen in the main hall. Stone display: the most significant relics in the basement Lapidarium are the capitoline triad of torso statues, the altars of oath and the pagan and Christian gravestones.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Kisfaludy Sándor u. 9.
Telephone: +36 (94) 500-720
E-mail: info@savariamuseum.hu, kozmuvelodes@savariamuseum.hu
Website: http://www.savariamuseum.hu
Opening hours: 1 Apr to 31 Oct: Tue-Sat: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., 1. Nov to 31 Mar: Tue-Fri: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Admission: HUF 700 , discount: students, pensioners HUF 350, discount for student groups (more than 15 persons): HUF 350, families: HUF 1,400.
Remark: Guided tour in Hungarian (by appointment only): HUF 2,000, Foreign Language Guided Tour (by appointment only) HUF 6,000. A day ticket is also available for Szombathely museums: Adults: HUF 1,500, students, pensioners: HUF 750, families: HUF 2,800

Waterworks Historical Museum
In ancient times, Savaria, the predecessor of today’s city had its own water pipe and sewage system. The Romans transferred water from the springs of the Kőszeg mountains to the citizens of Savaria using 20-25 km of clay piping and walled channels. In the engine house of company Vasivíz Zrt. there is a display presenting the 100- year-old history of the Szombathely waterworks and it is also possible to view the operation of the collecting well and the concrete tunnel along which the spring water moves.

Contact details
Address: Szombathely, Váci Mihály u. 30/a
Telephone: +36 (94) 516-272
Website: http://www.vasiviz.hu
Opening hours: Prior arrangement necessary.
Admission: free

The Forest Research Institute’s Kámon Arboretum
In this botanical garden of 27 hectares lying on the banks of the Gyöngyös, tree and shrub species of temperate and cold climates can be seen. Besides its collecting and preserving activities, the arboretum is a research centre for forestry plant breeding. The garden offers spectacles in all seasons of the year, however May, the blossoming period of rhododendrons is the most favourable one.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Szent Imre herceg u. 102.
Telephone: +36 (94) 500-131
Fax: +36 (94) 500-301
Opening hours: 1 April to 15 October, Mon-Sun: 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 16 October to 31 March: Mon-Sun: 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Admission: HUF 500 , discount: students, pensioners: HUF 400

The ELTE Gothard Astrophysical Observatory
This is Europe’s only thematic astronomical collection. The instruments and results of the European standard astrophysical researches carried out at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries can be seen here through a multimedia demonstration together with the most modern astronomical discoveries of our time. The themes of the exhibition: Jenő Gothard's instruments, technical memoirs, results achieved by the Herény Astrophysical Observatory, demonstration and display in interactive form of the elements of astronomy.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Szent Imre herceg útja 112.
Telephone: +36 (94) 522-870
E-mail: obs@gothard.hu
Website: http://www.gothard.hu
Opening hours: all year: groups at any time by prior arrangement.
Open without prior arrangement: Mon-Fri: 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Admission: free
Remark: Guide tours available in Hungarian, English, German, and Russain – for groups tours are also available in the evening.

The Vas County Village Museum
The Vas County Village Museum (skanzen) presents the way of life of peasants in the county in the previous two centuries, and folk building culture. Since its opening in 1973 the skansen has managed to save and rebuild 43 buildings from 27 settlements. The native breeds of Hungarian domestic animals, the flora of the etnobotanic garden and the regularly organised folk tradition programmes make the skansen an attractive destination for all age groups.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Árpád u. 30.
Telephone: 94/311-004
E-mail: neprajz@savariamuseum.hu
Website: http://www.savariamuseum.hu/szhely/muzeumfalu/hIntezmeny.php
Opening hours: 1 Apr to 15 Nov: Tue-Fri: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Admission: HUF 700, discount to students, pensioners: HUF 350, discount for student groups (more than 15 persons): HUF 300.
Remark: Guidance (only by appointment): in Hungarian: HUF 2,000, in foreign languages: HUF 6,000.
 

The Historical Theme Park
The Historical Theme Park opens its gates with a unique interactive exhibition of the antique natural sciences. The theme park’s buildings and facilities bring the wonders of ancient technology, science, ancient materials and knowledge obtained and used in the ancient times into a tangible form. The theme park demonstrates the use of screws, blocks, i.e. antique hoists, i.e. simple devices presumably used also by Archimedes on operable devices available for try-out. The reconstructed devices have been made using the same materials and technology as their ancient equivalents. Children, young people, adults and families with a taste for experimentation are welcome to the Historical Theme Park.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Aréna u.
Tel.: +36 (94) 510-160
E-mail: savariakarneval@t-online.hu
Website: http://www.agorasavaria.hu, http://www.savariakarneval.hu
Opening hours: 1 April to 3 Oktober Tue-Fri: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.,

Savaria Legion Showcase Storehouse
A new site of the past and treasures of Szombathely has been opened in the heart of the city at Aréna utca 8. Near the Historical Theme Park (Franciscan Garden) the Savaria Legion Showcase Storehouse awaits visits by school classes, associations and study circles. Guided tours are given through the 16th Appolinaris Legion’s complete first century battle gear, camp equipment, workshop sections, items for personal use in a real storehouse layout. Special history lessons are available by arrangement.

Contact details:
Tel.: +36 (94) 510-160
Tel.: +36 (94) 510-161
E-mail: savariakarneval@t-online.hu
website: http://www.savarialegio.hu/, http:/www.temapark.hu
Opening hours: prior arrangement necessary, Mon—Fri: 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Carnival Office: 9700 Szombathely, Aréna u. 8.

Szent Martin Visitors’ Centre
Since the Saint Martin Jubilee Year 1996/1997, there has been a steady growth in interest in Szombathely as the birthplace of one of Europe’s best-known patron saints. Visitors come to the Szombathely Saint Martin’s Church, whose origin dates back to the 4th century, in search of Roman remains, cultural treasures and the birthplace of the patron saint of their church. The visitors’ centre operating in the Saint Martin’s presbytery endeavours to ensure that visitors can get information about local attractions. Organisation of various events and maintenance of national and international relationships are possible. It is open for tourists, lovers of sciences and religious pilgrims. The latter can take part in liturgical ceremonies in the church or pray by themselves.
Saint Martin collections of the Visitors’ Centre are available for visitors between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and can be viewed under guidance. Interpreters speaking in the required languages are at their disposals by prior arrangement.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Szent Márton u. 40.
Tel.: +36 (94) 505-570 +36 (94) 505-568
E-mail: plebania@stmarton.t-online.hu
Website: http://www.katolikus.hu/szombathely/marton/marton-kozpont.html
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Admission: HUF 200, discount to students, pensioners: HUF 100
Remark: Guided tours are available by prior arrangement. Exhibitions: Saint Martin and Savaria – the cult of Saint Martin in Szombathely, Saint Martin memorials in Szombathely, Saint Martin in folk tradition.

Adventure City
Endless opportunities for cheerful play are offered by the wooden castle with its nine towers, slides and rope ladders, which stands in the centre of this one hectare area. The highest tower is seven metres high and it seems conquering it is a serious challenge for the hordes of children who besiege it. Bigger kids like playing on the 27 metre long castle walls whereas their smaller companions prefer the games, water play areas and hill slides scattered around the castle area. In the swing park the physically disabled can also find opportunities for play.
Kids just have to hold tight to whizz through the air on the zip wires. The Adventure City offers entertaining group programmes for children attending the city’s nursery schools and schools, and also for the older generation, including excursions.
There is no shortage of traditional playground games here either – the beautiful grassy park is the home for spring games, climbing frames, and merry-go-rounds. The sandpit is half covered so neither rain nor strong sunshine can disturb the fun.
The designers took a great care about safety. The games comply with all safety requirements and protection against fall has been also provided. Wood chips and rubber protect children against accidents on surfaces where no turf or pavement is used. Rather than filling the whole area at once, space has been left for further structures to be built in the future. This free space is ideal for games of hide and seek and football. The play park also has a buffet for visitors.

Contact details:
Address: Szombathely, Dolgozók útja
Tel: +36 (30)500-7584
Opening hours: 15 March to 31 October, Mon-Sun: 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Admission: for persons from Szombathely: HUF 320, for groups (above 10 heads): HUF 230, for persons from other settlements: HUF 500, for groups: HUF 350