Most Honorable Sir and Gracious Madam!
Esteemed Reader, noble Wanderer who peruses these lines! What wondrous times do I live in! Not so long ago, I strolled among the distinguished lords, clad in my baroque ceremonial attire adorned with golden braids, along the grand streets of Veszprém Castle. Yet in the blink of an eye, I find myself in a different present. The towers of the cathedral stand guard as ever, the palaces gleam with renewed splendor, but the winds of time have carried new marvels to this place! And what brilliant sciences, what splendid exhibitions await those who still cherish the reverence of the past in their hearts!
I beseech you, do not take me for a whimsical dreamer if, upon reading these words, you encounter an account so peculiar that it might be deemed fit only for the superstitious tales of hauntings. Yet, I swear upon all honor and noble virtue that what I recount here is pure truth, not illusion or nightmare.
In but a single moment, fate played a curious trick upon me: from the baroque splendor of Veszprém’s sacred castle, the hand of the Lord cast me into another age. Time, that unfaithful lover, has left its marks upon the face of the city. Though the colors of the castle’s palaces and houses are freshly renewed, strange horseless carriages glide along the streets like ghostly chariots, and people dress in unfamiliar garments. But as the first terror of my soul subsided, my heart began to beat faster: the castle still stands, and within it, like a radiant pearl, lies the Biró-Giczey House, where memories of the past, like loyal courtly servants, quietly await their visitors.
Reassuring myself that the people of this age may not have entirely forsaken the wisdom of their ancestors, I stepped into this noble building, and what I found there was akin to a heavenly vision. On the upper floor, a magnificent ceiling fresco immediately captured my gaze. Oh, what an extraordinary sight, rivaling the heavens themselves! The frescoed hall’s ceiling painting seems as if it were born from the dreams of the artist. Angels, with their flowing robes, sigh in the heights, their gazes bridging the past and the future alike. Blessed be the inspiration that guided the hand that created this wondrous image! How many canons must have rested their weary minds upon it? How many destinies have tread the upper chambers and corridors?
As I wandered further, my eyes fell upon a gracious Madonna statue, depicted with the infant Jesus in her arms by a devout artist. This statue is one of the treasures of the "Chamber Exhibition," and I tell you, whoever gazes upon it shall find peace in their heart. It is as though the Virgin Mary's smile dissolves all sorrows and worries of this world! This masterpiece is not merely a carved statue but a bridge between eras, where the faithful soul finds solace.
But one does not simply gaze in admiration here—one may also engage in deep contemplation within these walls! Those with sharp minds and cunning wit can test themselves in the famed puzzle-solving game "My Head is Not an Empty Chapter." A young seminarian seeks your aid, dear friend, for he must decipher a secret password, without which he cannot proceed on his path of knowledge! So don the armor of wisdom and unravel the mysteries hidden within baroque secrets!
And if, after all these wonders, the guest’s curiosity is still not sated, then I recommend with great enthusiasm the "Work in Progress" guided castle walk to those with rumbling stomachs. Here, not only shall one hear of baroque splendor and the work of artists, but also of how modern craftsmen strive to restore Veszprém’s castle district to its original glory. Indeed, the present age knows the worth of the past’s legacy and, with reverence and humility, endeavors to restore what our ancestors once created!
Oh, gracious reader, if you find yourself within the sacred walls of Veszprém Castle, seeking the imprints of history’s ages, do not miss visiting this house, where past and present blend so beautifully—just as the master baroque painters once crafted their stunning frescoes. And should you happen to see a gentleman clad in peculiar attire, gazing in wonder as he runs his fingers along an old stone wall or a worn parchment, do not fear him: it may well be me.
I remain your humble servant, devoted to both the past and the future—a baroque traveler amidst the storms of centuries.
Bíró-Giczey House, Veszprém, Vár utca 31.
The house's doors stand wide open almost every day for curious souls:
Opening hours
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY-FRIDAY: 5pm-7pm
SATURDAY-SUNDAY: 10am-6pm
Entry and guided castle walks are free, no registration required!
📞 +36 20/560 20 10
turizmus@veszpremiersekseg.hu
