In mid-August, the Archdiocese of Veszprém welcomes visitors with two special programs tied to major holidays in the Hungarian Christian tradition. On the Feast of the Assumption, an unconventional guided tour will explore sites associated with the Virgin Mary, and on August 20, themed castle tours, interactive museum activities, and King Saint Stephen’s Admonitions will evoke the era and legacy of the monarch who founded the state.
On August 15, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, also known as the Feast of the Assumption. In Hungarian Christian tradition, this feast day is also closely linked to St. Stephen: our first king died on August 15, 1038, and according to tradition, it was on this day that he entrusted Hungary to the protection of the Virgin Mary.
In Search of Marian Relics on the Feast of the Assumption
Many of the works of art, historical sites, and religious monuments in Veszprém’s castle district are connected to the veneration of the Virgin Mary. On August 15, the Feast of the Assumption tour weaves these sites together into a special itinerary.
The tour begins in the Baroque setting of the southern suite of salons in the Archbishop’s Palace, after which participants will have the opportunity to explore artifacts related to the veneration of the Virgin Mary at St. Michael’s Cathedral. In the chamber exhibition at the Biró–Giczey House, 18th-century Madonna with the Baby Jesus A wooden sculpture takes center stage, and the route is rounded out by the statue of the Virgin Mary in the garden of the Major Seminary.
The festive tour thus places the various sites and works of art in the castle district in a new context, showcasing Veszprém’s centuries-old heritage of devotion to the Virgin Mary.
The Legacy of St. Stephen Within Reach
On August 20, the founding king and his family will take center stage in the Castle District’s events.
The festive Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral and will be celebrated by Dr. István Takáts, the archbishop’s general vicar. The St. Michael’s Choir will provide the musical accompaniment for the liturgy.
At St. George’s Chapel, adults and children can build the cathedral themselves using two modular construction sets. The site also has a special connection to the family of St. Stephen: according to tradition, his son, Prince St. Imre, took a vow of chastity here.
From August 20 to 23, King Saint Stephen’s Admonitions will also be heard in the chapel. These more than 1,000-year-old reflections on faith, mercy, responsibility, and wise governance—addressed to Prince Imre—will accompany visitors’ experience in an audio recording tailored to the chapel’s unique acoustics.
The King's Spear: The Story of a Thousand-Year-Old Coin
The archaeological exhibition at the Biró–Giczey House will be expanded on August 20 with a new museum activity. The program, titled “The King’s Spear,” focuses on the Lancea Regis denarius, one of the most extraordinary artifacts from the era of St. Stephen.
A specimen of the silver denarius was discovered during an archaeological excavation in the castle district of Veszprém, in the courtyard of the Major Seminary facing Vár Street. The coin is associated with the beginning of King Stephen’s reign and the origins of Hungarian coinage. Its obverse features the royal spear, an important symbol of royal power.
During this hands-on workshop, participants can learn about the history and symbols of coins, and then create their own commemorative coin, which can be turned into a refrigerator magnet or a necklace. Admission to the program is included with a ticket to the Biró–Giczey House.
Themed City Walks in the Footsteps of St. Stephen
The festive program is complemented by guided castle tours centered on the theme of St. Stephen. Stories related to the king, Queen Gisela the Blessed, Prince St. Imre, and the birth of the Christian Hungarian state come to life this time through the original sites and works of art in the castle district.
On August 20, the usual 6:00 p.m. guided tour will not take place; the last tour will depart at 4:00 p.m.
The Castle District is open until 8 p.m. through the end of summer
The exhibitions and gift shop in the Veszprém Castle District are open to visitors from Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., through August 30.
Starting in September, opening hours will be adjusted for the fall season: the exhibitions and the gift shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended hours will remain in effect on Fridays and Saturdays until St. Michael’s Day; on those days, visitors are welcome until 8 p.m.
The late-summer festival programs bring together various layers of the Veszprém Castle District’s more than 1,000-year history: the veneration of Mary, the memory of Saint Stephen and his family, the beginnings of Hungarian Christianity and coinage, as well as the personal experiences that bring all of this to life for us today.
For more information and to purchase tickets: vetk.hu
Location and Information Desk: Biró–Giczey House, 8200 Veszprém, Vár Street 31.
