Szekesfehervar

Place description

The predecessor of the city of today had been established by the Hungarians at the time of the Conquest. The first Hungarian King, Saint Steven was crowned here at Christmas of 1000. The King, who was canonised in 1083, named the city to be the seat of his kingdom; the early city including the large basilica of King Steven was built.. This is where the treasury, archives of the country and the coronation insignia were safeguarded. The city was the venue of an outstanding event in 1222. King Endre II announced the Golden Bull the first ‘constitution’ of the country, which is about the rights of all noblemen and the obligations of the King. Large scale construction started in the middle of the 18th century. Public buildings, baroque palaces and citizens’ houses were built.
After the repression of the 1848 war of independence, Székesfehérvár became a slightly industrialised mainly agricultural town in the shadow of Budapest, which has been growing large. After Trianon, another boom characterised the city. As part of the preparation of war, several large industrial plants were settled here. After World War II, forceful industrialisation was continued. Housing estates were built but the inner city of a baroque character has remained as a protected historic sight. Archaeological research over the past decades has revealed earlier Medieval remains at several points, which are continuously restored and presented to the public.

Tourist attractions in the town and surrounding areas:

Saint Steven Basilica and its crypt
Saint Steven Cathedral
Diocesan Museum
Saint Steven King Museum and Monastery
Gorsium
Medieval Ruins, National Memorial Site
Saint Imre Church (Franciscan Church and Monastery)
Nepomuki Saint John Church (Cistercian Church)
Carmelite Church
Saint Anne Chapel