Today's most interesting Google search leading to my blog was this (things+to+do+esztergom). Somebody from the UK is planning to visit the town I live at? Wow. As Google's ranking system rates my blog as the 11th most authorative web page in this subject, I've decided to actually write up a few things to help those in dire need of information. I know the frustration when you follow a link with the expectation to find some tourist info only to find the blog of a geek full of IT stuff... :)

So, Esztergom had quite a history, still you will not see much of it walking on the streets these days. The old medieval town was destroyed in 1241-42 by the invading Mongols. The rebuilt town was then destroyed during the numerous sieges Esztergom had during the Ottoman wars (1543: Suleyman, 1595: Christians, 1605: Ottomans, 1683: Christian forces led by Polish king Jan Sobieski). What remains of this history can mostly be found in the numerous museums and exhibitions.

Cultural places to visit:

• The town is best known for the Basilica of Esztergom (virtual tour here). The Basilica was constructed on the site of the ruined Szent Adalbert Church of the 11th century on the Castle Hill (as shown on the picture on the top of the blog) during the XIX. century. This is the most frequently visited sight of the town: if you have only one afternoon to spend, spend it here. You can climb a whole lot of stairs to enjoy the view from the top of the Basilica (if the air is clear the sight is truely exceptional). You can also visit the crypts beneath the cathedral: many former cardinals and archbishops are buried here. Also don't miss the Cathedral Treasury:)
• Next to the Cathedral you can find the Castle which is a museum with different exhibitions showing the history of Esztergom. The museum also has an art exhibition in one of the rondellas (a round bastion) which changes from time to time. Currently you can visit an exhibition of Salvador Dali's arts: some of his lesser known paintings (parts of a private collection from Bamberg).
• A steep stairway leads down from the Castle Hill to the Watertown part of the town: where you'll find the Archbishop's palace and the Christian Museum. Not far you can find the Balassa Museum named after a 16th century poet who died during the second siege of Esztergom.
• Have a walk to the center of the city to find the Danube museum if you're interested in more technical things: the exhibition is primarily about the water management systems of Hungary. There are a lot of working miniatures which kids enjoy a lot. There are also seasonal exhibitions of modern arts.
• There is an international Guitar festival every year (this year: Aug 6-12). The classical concerts are performed in the Basilica.

Places to have some time off:

• Visit Párkány, the town on the other side of the Danube. It's much easier to cross the border since the Marie-Valerie build was rebuilt in 2001 - 57 years after it was demolished by the retreating German forces. The town is called Sturovo in Slovak, but as the majority of the inhabitants are Hungarians, you will not feel much of a difference. Párkány has a decent thermal bath called Vadas and there are fine Czech and Slovak beers in the numerous pubs.
• Also a new spa is being built on the island of Esztergom but it is not yet functional.

Esztergom from many angles: sightseeing.bejo.hu