SeeUinHungary Szombathely savaria museums and roman ruins

Szombathely

Szombathely is the oldest city in Hungary. It was founded in 45 AD by the name of Colonia Claudia Savariensum (Claudius' Colony of Savarians) and it was the capital of Pannonia Superior province of the Roman Empire. It lay close to the important trade route, the "Amber Road". The city also had an imperial residence, a public bath and an amphitheatre. Septimius Severus was a governor of this province and he was elected emperor here.

Emperor Constantine the Great visited Savaria several times. He ended the persecution of Christians, which previously claimed the lives of many people in the area, including Bishop St. Quirinus, St. Rutilus and St. Ireneus. The emperor reorganised the colonies and made Savaria the capital of the province Pannonia Prima. This era was the height of prosperation for Savaria, its population grew, new buildings were erected, among them theatres and churches. Martin of Tours was born here.

After the death of Emperor Valentianus the Huns invaded Pannonia and Attila's armies occupied Savaria between 441 and 445. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 458.
The city remained inhabited in spite of all the difficulties. Its city walls were restored, many new (although less magnificent) buildings were built using the stones from the destroyed Roman buildings. The Latin population moved away, mostly to Italy, but new settlers arrived, mostly Goths and Longobards.

During the Ottoman occupation of Hungary the Ottomans invaded the area twice, first in 1664, when they were defeated at the nearby town Szentgotthárd, and later in 1683, when they wanted to occupy Vienna but were defeated, and pillaged many towns on their way back; but the city walls protected Szombathely both times. After the country was freed from ottoman rule, peaceful times came, until Prince Rákóczi's revolution against the Habsburgs came in the early 18th century.
Between the world wars Szombathely prospered, lots of schools were founded, and between 1926 and 1929 the Transdanubian region's most modern hospital was built.

During World War 2, as with many other towns in the region, Szombathely became a target due to the railway, junction, marshalling yards, local aerodrome, and barracks. The town therefore formed part of the logistical military infrastructure supporting Axis forces.

In the 1970s the city was industrialized, many factories were built. In the 1980s the city prospered, several new buildings were built, including the County Library, public indoor swimming pools, a gallery.

In 2006 the refurbishing of the city centre's main square was completed, with financial assistance from EU funds.

Things to see in Szombathely

The Cathedral
The 3rd largest church in Hungary. It was bombed during the 2nd World War, much of the wall paintings has been damaged or demolished.

Jardanyi Paulovics Istvan's garden of ruins

Large open area of archeological excavation. Ruins from 1st - 4th century, roman ruins include roman palace, roman churches, bath complex, houses from early middleages.
Address : Szombathely, 1st Mindszenty square
Open : 1st Marc - 30rd Nov tuesday - saturday 9am till 5pm
Closed on sunday and mondays

Synagogue
The architect used oriental and romantic style when this synagogue built. Nowadays it is a concert hall.

St. Elizabeth Church
Originally was built in 1360. One of the beautiest gothic church in Hungary.

Savaria Museum
Collection from the stone age, bronze age. Everyday things, sculptures.

Address : Szombathely, 9th Kisfaludy S. str
Open : tue-fri 10am till 5pm
Closed on sundays and mondays
Website

Open air village museum of Vas county
It is an open air museum. There are 43 built houses, where you can see how old time peasants lived their village life. Also shown old hungarian animals, and flora.
There are regularly folklor days, traditional dances, you can see and learn old traditional craftmen work with wood or traditional pottery.

Address : Szombathely, 30th Arpad str.
Open : 1st Apr - 30th Nov, tue-sat : 9am till 5pm
Closed on sundays and mondays

Official website of szombathely
Wikipedia about Szombathely