Have you ever tasted thistle?
Would you like to drink the lily?
Do you know which cake Pope John Paul II loved?
During this year’s Night of Museums in Veszprém’s Castle District, stories will be told not only through pictures, walls, and chapels. You can even taste some of them.
The Gizella Museum and Castellum Restaurant are joining the Night of Museums events with a special limited-time menu: there will be Bogáncs cookies, White Lily cocktails, Magdi ice cream, and Pápa cream cakes. These are not just simple sweets and drinks. Behind each one lies an exhibition, a memory, or a story. On June 20, some of these will come to life through the language of flavors.
Appetizer: Thistle Pastry
The Bogáncs cookie is a punch-flavored, dumpling-shaped dessert associated with the exhibition “Bogáncs and Lilies—Magdolna’s Flowers” at the Biró–Giczey House.
Through the figures of Mária Magdolna Bódi and the biblical Mary Magdalene, the exhibition explores the themes of faith, purity, loyalty, and standing firm. As part of Museum Night, there will also be an interactive scavenger hunt titled “The Secret of the True Path,” in which participants can use UV lamps to search for hidden clues throughout the exhibition.
Anyone who successfully solves the puzzle will not only receive the answer but will also get to sample some delicious treats related to the game.
Second Course: White Lily Cocktail
This non-alcoholic cocktail is made with lily syrup, white grape juice, plain apple juice, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
In Christian tradition, the lily is a symbol of purity, faith, and loyalty. This cocktail translates that symbolism into a fresh, summery drink. Light, floral, festive, yet simple: it’s exactly the kind of refreshing drink that pairs well with an evening stroll through the Castle District.
Third Course: Magdi's Ice Cream
There’s a lovely story behind the name. Magdi helped prepare an ice cream party that was organized for factory apprentices. During the war, it was difficult to get flavorings, so Magdi suggested they make caramel ice cream, since it didn’t require any special ingredients.
The salted caramel flavor is no accident: it’s a playful nod to a young girl who was able to bring joy to others even under difficult circumstances. The ice cream is both sweet and full of character, just like the memory that inspired it.
Dessert: The Pope's Cream Cake
The roundtable discussion titled “Do Not Be Afraid!” traces the path of the Catholic Church and Central Europe toward freedom. The topic is also linked to the legacy of Pope John Paul II, whose famous exhortation, “Do Not Be Afraid!,” has served as a source of encouragement for generations.
The papal cream cake, known in Polish as kremówka papieska, is linked to this story. According to tradition, this was one of Pope John Paul II’s favorite pastries from Wadowice: puff pastry, rich vanilla cream, powdered sugar, and a generous helping of Central European nostalgia.
Between courses: a walk and a scoop of ice cream
Of course, Museum Night isn’t just about tastings. On this evening, visitors to the Castle District will be able to explore the Archbishop’s Gardens, view the exhibitions at the Biró–Giczey House, and participate in a craft workshop related to the “Bogáncs and Lilies—Magdolna’s Flowers” exhibition.
Those who wish to explore sacred spaces can also join guided castle tours. One of the highlights of the evening programs offers a glimpse into the rarely accessible areas of the cathedral, from the crypt to the tower.
A stroll through the Archbishop’s Gardens, a glimpse of the panoramic view, and then a scoop of 1277 ice cream. It’s hard to imagine a summer evening more quintessentially Veszprém than this.
The ice cream draws inspiration from the Veszprém Archdiocesan Winery’s 1277 Sauvignon Blanc, which won a Grand Gold Medal at the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon international wine competition. With this achievement, the Veszprém Archdiocesan Winery became the first Hungarian winery to earn this prestigious award.
The 1277 ice cream is thus not only a refreshing dessert, but also a playful culinary take on the wine culture of Várhegy.
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