Paks

Paks is at a distance of 110 km to the south of Budapest. Thanks to highway M6 it can be reached in an hour by car from the capital. By rail one can get to the city on the Pusztaszabolcs-Dunaújváros-Paks line, where there are two railway stations. It is connected to Géderlak and Transdanubia by a ferry line starting in every hour. Its port is capable to receive both big boats and small sporting boats. Paks is widely known in the country of its atomic power station, which is the only facility of this kind in Hungary. Registration in advance is required to visit the visit-centre of the atomic power station.

Restaurants, cafés and confectioner’s expect the guests in the main road of the city. The walkway on the bank of the Danube with the hundred-year-old chestnut trees has a special romantic feeling. The only historical monument of Paks, which is known countrywide, is the Erzsébet Szálló (Hotel Elisabeth) built in classicist style. The building of the hotel once operating as a casino was renewed in 2009; during this renovation conference rooms were constructed in it. The Szentlélek Temlplom (Church of Holy Spirit) designed by Imre Makovecz has an outstanding architectural significance. The church built from public donations and sanctified in 1990 is one of the most excellent works of organic architecture; its carved statues and altar piece are considered rarity.

Paks makes home for an extremely great number of events. The most significant event having the greatest traditions is the Gastroblues Festival. On such occasion there is blues, jazz and rock on for days, while the guest eat, drink and dance. The series of press-houses on the Sárgödör tér and its ambience make home for the National Siller Festival. Siller is a characteristic wine of the city, the preparation of which was domesticated by the Swabs settled here in the 18^th century. Its colour, similarly to the rosé, is between the colour of red and white wine. It is especially pleasant to accompany the local speciality, the fish soup. A further significant event is the Paksi Harmonika Fesztivál (Paks Accordon Festival), the celebration of May 1^st, the vintage celebration and ball, and the Days of German Nationality linked up with the Whitsuntide Festival.

The City Museum, being young but possessing rich collection expects the visitors with permanent and periodical exhibitions. Its collection is set up from the archaeological, ethnographical, local historical and new age historical artefacts found on the area of the city. Its building located in the middle of the old city was formerly a Franciscan monastery. The simple and moderate building of the Paksi Képtár (Paks Gallery) homes contemporary art exhibitions, conferences and the film club. It is worth to visit the Lussonium Római Romkert (Lussonium Garden of Ancient Roman Ruins) located in Dunakömlő, to the north from Paks, showing – together with other archaeological findings of the age (e.g. statue of Mithras) – the remainders of the Roman buildings and fort once standing here. The ones wishing to have active recreation are expected by possibilities of riding, fishing and hunting. If weather permitting the ones fond of skiing or the ones learning to ski can enjoy a slide on the 400-m long ski track between Paks and Dunakömlőd.

Sources: http://www.paks.hu/, http://hu.wikipedia.org/, http://www.vendegvaro.hu/, dr. Lóczy Dénes: Dél-Dunántúl. Cartographia, Budapest. 2001