VISEGRÁD
The atmospheric town of Vác is located on the left side of the Danube in Pest County. The Catholic Bishop’s seat is an attractive tourist destination. The foundation of the Bishopric of Vác is related to Saint István the First (1000-1038). Next to the river on an emerged and firm area a castle was established. During the Mongol Invasion the church was destroyed and all of the population was massacred. Later King Béla the Fourth (1235-1270) invited German immigrants who settled round the area which is now today the city’s main square and also a parish church was built devoted to Saint Michael. In the 14th-15th century the philanthropic Bishop Miklós Báthory invited architects, sculptors and painters to improve the city’s cultural life. Unfortunately, the Turkish occupation had soon put an end to the city’s flourishing.The 18th century brought prosperity to Vác when two bishops Kristóf Migazzi and Mihály Althann continuously improved the city. Even the empress Terézia Mária was excited to visit the city in 1764 when the city honoured her highness with an arch which is the only one in Hungary. Also we can discover the oldest stone bridge in Hungary which still maintain a significant traffic.
Nowadays, Vác is considered to be the region most visited town due to its beautiful churches, houses and monument complexes and also its intense cultural life.
Further information: www.vac.hu