Discover Székesfehérvár: History, Museums and Experiences

• Bory Castle is a small fantasy castle on Öreghegy, conceived by Jenő Bory, a sculptor from Székesfehérvár.
• The Ruin Garden of the Koronázó Basilica features, among other things, a stone sarcophagus from the time of Stephen’s canonization and artworks by Lili Árkainé Sztehló and Vilmos Aba Novák.
• Hiemer House is a restored architectural complex of three buildings of medieval origin, each individually protected as a historic monument.
• There are specific timings for the sightseeing tour and nature tour: the small city train runs for about 40 minutes; the guided eco-tour on the Sóstó Nature Trail takes approximately an hour and a half.

Bory Castle is a small fantasy castle conceived by Bory Jenő. Its location on Öreghegy and its unusual castle form set it apart from the historic architectural complexes in the city center. Hiemer House was formed by the merging of three buildings of medieval origin. Today, it is a restored historic complex in the city center, with each building individually protected.

The Ruin Garden of the Koronázó Basilica reveals a different dimension of history. Until 1543, the basilica was the coronation church of the Hungarian kings; in the Middle Ages, 38 kings were crowned here. Its remains are part of a three-aisled building with four towers. Also on display are the stone sarcophagus from the time of Stephen’s canonization, the stained-glass windows by Lili Árkainé Sztehló and the murals by Vilmos Aba Novák.

The Vörösmarty Theatre can also be understood through its architectural history: it opened in 1874. A comprehensive renovation and reconstruction that began in the summer of 2004 was followed by its reopening in December 2005.

The Vidi Museum focuses on the history of Videoton and Fehérvár FC, which dates back to 1941. The exhibition includes memorabilia, trophies from victories, signed jerseys, shoes and several thousand other objects. Individuals and groups can take museum tours as well as stadium tours. Sports history, club memorabilia and a tour of the stadium make this a distinct focus for a visit.

The permanent exhibition at the Székesfehérvár Diocesan Museum focuses on liturgical objects and religious memorabilia. These include goldsmiths’ work, church textiles, Baroque paintings and sculptures. The museum’s Great Hall is also the endpoint of the “In the Footsteps of the Hungarian Holy Family” pilgrimage route.

The Hetedhét Toy Museum takes a different approach: rather than arranging objects chronologically or by art-historical style, the exhibition focuses on play and role-playing. This sets it apart from both the club history of the Vidi Museum and the religious collection of the Diocesan Museum.

The figures of the Clock Game represent legendary kings and well-known figures from Hungarian history. Accompanied by music, they appear for the first time at 10 a.m. and then every two hours. Check the current schedule before your visit.

The city sightseeing train departs every hour from Városház tér, next to the Országalma, and takes you on a tour of the city center lasting about 40 minutes. As the schedule may change, it’s worth checking before you ride. For planning purposes, you can compare this short tour with the longer eco-tour on the Sóstó Nature Trail.

The guided eco-tour on the Sóstó Nature Trail starts at 9 a.m. on Saturdays, lasts approximately an hour and a half, and introduces the trail’s flora and fauna. The expert-led tour offers a different focus from the city sightseeing tour; if you plan to take it, check in advance whether it runs on your preferred date.

Koronás Park has more than fifty wooden play features across seven playgrounds. These include a play village, a spice maze, a castle and a coronation hill. The play areas complement the museums with experiences centered on play and movement.

Discover more destinations: Börgönd, Sárszentmihály, Pátka, Lovasberény, Iszkaszentgyörgy, Sárkeresztes, Sárkeszi.

What makes Bory Castle special?

It is a small fantasy castle on Öreghegy, conceived by Jenő Bory, a sculptor from Székesfehérvár.

How long does the sightseeing train ride take?

The tour of the city center takes about 40 minutes. The train departs every hour from Városház tér, next to the Országalma; check the schedule before your ride.

What does the eco-tour on the Sóstó Nature Trail offer?

The expert-led tour introduces the trail’s flora and fauna. It starts at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and takes about an hour and a half; check whether it runs on your preferred date.

Go to the main travel overview: Székesfehérvár.