April 10, 2011: Trip to Szeged

April 10, 2011: Today I took the train to Szeged, one of the largest cities in the south of Hungary just close to the Serbian border. On the way, I met up with Kent, the CETP teacher with whom I traveled to Sopron and Gyor several weeks ago. Upon leaving the train station in Szeged I could see that we would be in for a treat in seeing some great architecture. The train station, like other train stations in Hungary seemed in character with the atmosphere of the city.

Szeged Train Station

 We decided to begin our trip as a colleague of mine suggested by taking the tram from the train station to its end to get an overview of the city. The tram took us through all the main attractions of the city. We retraced our path by taking the tram in the other direction and dismounted at Szechenyi ter, the large square around which were a number of interesting buildings including the town hall. The weather couldn't have been nicer and I could see that all the spring flowers were in full blossom. (In fact, looking out from the train on our way to Szeged, I was astounded at the number of cherry trees that are in Hungary -- it looked like a solid white blossomed forest as we traveled). Here are pictures of Szechenyi and some buildings not far from the square.

Town Hall Szegred

Anna Thermal Baths - built 1896

We ate lunch on Szechenyi Square and afterward walked to Dom Square passing a number of other interesting buildings and streets.

Karasz utca

Klauzal Square

A short walk later we arrived at the magnificent Votive Church consecrated in 1930.

Votive Church - consecrated 1930

Dom Square

Votive Church - consecrated 1930

Votive Church - consecrated 1930

Votive Church - consecrated 1930

A short walk from Dom Square led us to the Tisza River. On the way we saw an interesting statue commemorating soccer.

Walking a bit south we encountered the statue "Colorful Butterfly of Freedom" commemorating the soldiers of the 1956 uprising.

Colorful Butterfly of Freedom statue

 A short walk further we came to Aradi Vertanuk Square where we saw some other interesting statues, buildings, and the Hero's Arch on which were painted a number of frescoes depicting the soldiers who fought in battle.

Aradi Vertanuk ter -- with Votive Church in background

frescoes in Hero's Archway

After a leisurely walk back to the train station, we ended another great day of sightseeing in Hungary.