Veszprém’s castle district is throwing open its doors — and vaults — with special guided walks that don’t just skim facades; they dive into a millennium of faith, power, and quiet miracles. Walk the streets where queens etched their legend, then step beneath them to where time sits in stone. Tours start from the Biró–Giczey House at 31 Vár Street (Vár utca 31.), with groups capped at 25 and each program running about 60 minutes. Weekends pack a punch: the Walk of Light and Devotion at 11:30 and 16:00, and A Thousand Years’ Path at 14:00. Dates and times may shift due to liturgical and other events, so double‑check the calendar.
Where to Meet, When to Go, How Long
– Meeting/Departure: Biró–Giczey House (31 Vár Street/Vár utca 31.)
– Group size: max. 25
– Duration: approx. 60 minutes
– Schedule (Saturday–Sunday):
11:30 and 16:00 — The Walk of Light and Devotion (Archbishop’s Palace + Gizella Chapel)
14:00 — A Thousand Years’ Path (St. Michael’s Cathedral + crypt + St. George’s Chapel)
Tip: arrive 10–15 minutes early; capacity is limited.
Tickets and Prices
Buy tickets at the Biró–Giczey House gift shop (cash and bank card).
– Adult: 3,500 HUF (about 9.5 USD)
– Student/Senior: 3,200 HUF (about 8.7 USD)
– Family (2 adults + 1–3 children): 7,000 HUF (about 19 USD)
– Pilgrim ticket (with parish recommendation): 2,500 HUF (about 6.8 USD)
Free Exhibitions at Biró–Giczey House
– Tuesday–Friday: 17:00–19:00
– Saturday–Sunday: 10:00–18:00
– Monday: closed
Address for all meetups: Biró–Giczey House, 31 Vár Street (Vár u. 31.), Veszprém.
What’s New: Two Fresh Sites
The guided castle walks level up with two newly added highlights. First, the descent into the crypt of St. Michael’s Cathedral, where silence gathers under ribbed vaults and the past feels tangible. Then, the unearthed remains of St. George’s Chapel reveal the raw bones of early Hungarian Christianity — foundations that reach back to the 10th century. It’s where a thousand years become visible.
St. Michael’s Cathedral and Its Crypt
This route traces deep layers of the cathedral’s story: the 14th‑century Gothic sanctuary, the Baroque tomb of Bishop Márton Padányi Bíró, and the newly restored interior that gleams with quiet intent. The crypt’s atmosphere does the rest — time locked in stone, a hush beneath the arches — making it one of this year’s most hauntingly memorable stops.
St. George’s Chapel
On the cathedral’s north side, St. George’s Chapel stands where tradition and archaeology meet. Excavations revealed the original 10th‑century rotunda foundations. Legend says Prince Emeric took his vow here before the altar of the Virgin Mary, giving the site lasting spiritual weight. In the Middle Ages, the chapel drew pilgrims from afar as the resting place of the head relic of St. George, a gift from the Byzantine emperor to King Stephen.
November Dates You Can Actually Book
– 2025.11.15. (Saturday): 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 — both thematic walks as scheduled
– 2025.11.16. (Sunday): 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 — same schedule
– 2025.11.22. (Saturday): 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 — same schedule
– 2025.11.23. (Sunday): 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 — same schedule
– 2025.11.29. (Saturday): 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 — same schedule
– 2025.11.30. (Sunday): 14:00, 16:00 — afternoon only
Organizers reserve the right to change programs and times.
