Kertvaros: Routes, Culture and Views

• Esztergom Basilica can be reached by road, by boat, by bicycle and by bus.
• Near Esztergom-Kertváros, the 1,200-metre-long Strázsa-hegyi educational trail follows a circular route; the walk takes about an hour.
• The listed Vízivárosi Church is an outstanding example of Italian Baroque architecture and was renovated in 2012.
• A special Stations of the Cross on Szent Tamás-hegy leads to the Fájdalmas-Szűz Chapel. From there, a panorama of the city opens up.
• Melocco Miklós’s sculpture “Szent István megkoronázása” on the northern bastion of Várhegy depicts the coronation of Stephen, the first king of Hungary.

The Strázsa-hegyi educational trail combines a clearly defined route with an approximate time frame: it is 1,200 metres long, follows a circular route and is listed as taking about an hour to walk. For your planning, you can consider the distance and duration together. By contrast, the special Stations of the Cross are the focus on Szent Tamás-hegy. They lead to the Fájdalmas-Szűz Chapel, from which you can look out over the city. The two routes therefore offer different experiences: one is a circular trail with a stated walking time, the other a Stations of the Cross leading to a chapel and panoramic view.

The cultural sites also offer different points of interest. The Vízivárosi Church is a listed example of Italian Baroque architecture; its renovation in 2012 provides a specific historical reference point. The sculpture “Szent István megkoronázása” offers a different highlight: on the northern bastion of Várhegy, it depicts the coronation of Stephen, the first king of Hungary. Together with the basilica, these sites span themes from sacred architecture to a clearly identified historical depiction.

In the wider destination of Komorn-Gran, nature and geology complement the cultural themes. The Gerecsei Tájvédelmi Körzet is a nationally significant, individually designated landscape protection area in Komárom-Esztergom, covering 8,676 hectares. Triassic limestone predominates in the Gerecse; Jurassic limestone is also found there and is particularly rich in fossils. These details offer a geological perspective on the region alongside its architectural and cultural monuments.

At Majki Kamalduli Remeteség, a Baroque monument complex provides the setting for an exhibition on the general and Hungarian history of the Camaldolese Order. The complex includes seventeen cell houses, a church tower and a monastery. The hermitage is open Tuesday to Sunday: from 10:00 to 18:00 from 1 April to 31 October, and from 09:00 to 17:00 from 1 November to 31 March. Check the opening hours again before your visit, as they may change.

Archaeology is the focus at Brigetio Öröksége Látogatóközpont, which houses an interactive permanent exhibition featuring finds from the Brigetio excavations. Monostori Erőd is a military monument within the Komárom fortress system. Its exhibitions and staged scenes illustrate the periods of the Monarchy, the world wars and the Soviet occupation. The fortress system extends across the territory of the two Komároms and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Those interested in horses and historic carriages will find several relevant themes at Bábolna Nemzeti Ménesbirtok. A guided visit starts with an exhibition on the history of the stud farm and continues in the Ménesudvar. Carriage rides to the nearby arboretum are offered in two carriages drawn by Shagya Arabian mares; advance booking is required. The “Fogat bemutató, ménfelvezetés” program features four-, five- and two-horse teams, which visitors can try out themselves. Advance booking is also required for this program.

For orientation in the Duna-Gerecse tourism area, 19 virtual walks are available to download in Hungarian, German, English and Slovak; they work offline. As the application’s availability may change, check before making your plans.

Discover more destinations: Tát, Dömös, Lábatlan, Nyergesújfalu, Pilismarót and Esztergom.

How long is the Strázsa-hegyi educational trail?

The circular trail is 1,200 metres long; the stated walking time is about one hour.

How can you reach Esztergom Basilica?

It can be reached by road, by boat, by bicycle and by bus.

When is Majki Kamalduli Remeteség open?

It is open Tuesday to Sunday: from 10:00 to 18:00 from 1 April to 31 October, and from 09:00 to 17:00 from 1 November to 31 March. Check the opening hours before your visit, as they may change.

Go to the wider travel overview: Esztergomi.