Győr

Győr is an important industrial, economic , clerical, cultural and sports centre of Western Hungary, located  at the meeting point of three rivers: Mosoni-Duna, a Rába and Rábca, therefore, it is also called the town of rivers. The town situated on the Budapest-Bratislava-Vienna axis is one of the junction points of east-west traffic. It is accessible by road (Highway M1, and several long-distance roads and  by-ways) train and bus. The city has five railway stations. At Pér, which is 15 km from its centre, there is an airport receiving also international flights.

Győr is the third richest town of Hungary in monuments. Its downtown of Baroque style, cultural events, museums and exhibitions attract many tourists year by year. One of its most famous buildings is the  Bazilika (Basilica) on Káptalandomb. Its foundations were laid  during the reigning of King Szent István  (Saint Stephen) in the 11^th century. The herm of Szent László (Saint Ladislaus), which together with the Saint Crown and the Saint Right-Hand is the most important sacral  relic of Hungary is kept here. The herm containing the sculp of the King covered by silver is making a tour in the town on 27 June each year. Adjacent to the Basilica is the Treasury of the Győr Diocese, Library and  Museum of Stoneworks.  On the bank of River Rába, opposite to Radó Island is the Püspökvár (Archbishop’s Castle) and the Püspöki Palota (Archbishop’s Palace) the oldest parts of which originate from the 14^th century. In 1594 the castle was occupied by the Turks and it was only after 150 years that they could be expelled.  Archbishop APOR Vilmos , died in the building in 1945, therefore, there is a permanent exhibition now in the palace for his memory. Another characteristic building of the town is the Városháza (Town Hall), the Clock Tower of which overlooks and reigns the city. The building built in French renaissance neo-baroque style is situated opposite to the railway station. 

Széchenyi Square is the centre of the historical downtown. The statue of Saint Mary standing in its middle was erected by KOLLONICH Lipót, Archbishop of Győr, to make an everlasting memory of the retake of Buda. The Benediction church of Loyolai Szent Ignác (Saint Ignatius of Loyola) and Xantus János Museum are also situated here. The permanent exhibition of the museum presents the history of Győr and its neighbourhood from the prehistoric age until now. The museum has a rich collection of Hungarian postal stamps and pieces of fine and applied arts. The Városi Művészeti Múzeum (Municipal Museum of Arts) accommodated in the palace of Count Esterházy Gábor presents the works of Hungarian artists from the period between the two world wars. Several smaller exhibition halls and collections belong to this Musem, such as, e.g., the  Jedlik Ányos Emlékkiállítás (Jedlik Ányos Memorial Exhibition and the Vasilescu Gyűjtemény (Vasilescu Collection). The Győri Nemzeti Színház (National Theatre of Győr) in Czuczor Gergely Street awaits the audience with 4 to 5 theatrical evenings each week.

The most important events of the town are the Győri Tavaszi Fesztivál (Győr Spring Festival), the Szent László Napok (Saint Ladislaus Festivity) and the Walter Lynch ír fesztivál (Walter Lynch Irish Festival). The Spring Festival is organized in the second half of March, and as part of it, a great number of  theatrical performances, dance events and exhibitions take place. The population of the town commemorates their saint rural by various sacral and secular celebrations, the most spectacular of which are the knight shows. Archbishop Walter Lynch came to Hungary in 1655 with a painting of the Blessed Virgin. On Saint Patrick’s day tears came from the Blessed Virgin’s eyes and, as a result a big cult of the painting emerged. The Irish-Hungarian Festival takes place on 17th March each year. The town has several spas and funny waters. The latter is a complex with 10 pools, water chutes, wellness and health care services. Xantus János Zoo is located in the eastern part of Győr, adjacent to Road No. 1  (Mártírok útja). It is open throughout the year.

Sources: http://www.gyor.hu/, http://www.vendegvaro.hu/, http://hu.wikipedia.org/, http://www.museum.hu/, http://www.iranymagyarorszag.hu/