The 23. of October is a national holiday in commemoration of the revolution 1956 in Hungary.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 or Hungarian Uprising of 1956 was a spontaneous nationwide revolt against the government of the Hungarian People's Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from 23 October until 10 November 1956. Though leaderless when it first began, it was the first major threat to Soviet control since the USSR's forces drove out the Nazis at the end of World War II and occupied Eastern Europe. Despite the failure of the uprising, it was highly influential, and came to play a role in the downfall of the Soviet Union decades later.
We used the free days for traveling, because we had off from work on friday as well.
At half past ten Kathi, Ines, Freya and I took the bus from Pécs to Györ, where we arrived at three o' clock. When we were walking to our hotel I immediately fall in love with the city. The lights were turned on slowly and even it was a national free day, which means that everything was closed, there has been a lot of people on the streets build up a nice atmosphere.
After we checked in the Kertész Panzió we discovered the place around us, took our obligatory bridge-picture which we have done already in Szeged and had dinner in an Italian restaurant where we stayed for around four hours.
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On friday we did our "Touri-program". At first we visited the cathedral, which is somehow mystical and overwhelming at the same time.
The next stop was the exhibition of Vilmos Apor, the Bishop of Györ during the World War II who became famous for protesting against the persecution of the Hungarian Jews. The exhibition keeps the memory of Apors martyrdom alive, presenting his life and works, his sacrifice and his martyrs death.
From there we climbed up the tower and a 360° view over the city in its full size.
After the sightseeing we went to Árkád, the big shoppingcenter which is located in many cities in Hungary.
In the afternoon we went to the local big Thermal bath which includes a Saungarden, a dark water-room with a "star sky", a warm bank, a salt room..
It was good to have some time for relaxing.
On saturday we made a day trip via train to Sopron.
Unfortunatelly many places where closed because of the long holiday weekend.
We walked through the alleys and visited the Storno House. The castle-like Baroque corner house was the property of the Haberleiter family in the 15th century, and provided accommodation for King Matthias in 1482-83, when he assaulted the town of Vienna. The Storno family purchased the building in 1872. Ferenc Storno, a chimney-sweeper by his original profession, became an artist and one of the most significant restorers of Sopron in the 19th century.
The house was the venue of two concerts played by Franz Liszt, in 1840 and 1881.
The rooms, decorated with antique furniture as well as the works of family members, give a true picture of interior design at the end of the 19th century.
I haven't been allowed to take any pictures, thats why I can just give you the internet link where you will find more information and pictures: Storno House Sopron.
As well we have been in the medieval synagogue after some problems of finding it because it is hidden in the middle of other houses. The Gothic synagogue built at the beginning of the 14th century is a unique piece of architecture in Eastern Europe. A corridor from the entrance leads to the main hall. Its main door is decorated with a tympanum, and two side consoles date from 1300, the time of construction. Woman had their own house of prayers, which was equipped with its own exit. They could follow the events in the main hall only through narrow window slots.
After the expulsion of the Jews from Sopron in 1526, the synagogue started to fall into decay; later it was converted into private homes. The building regained its original beauty during the restoration work of 1967.
Back in Györ we found a nice restaurant where we spent our last evening before we went home on sunday.
