The Veszprém Castle District is keeping the lights on through winter, blending Advent walks, award-winning exhibitions, and festive hours at the Biró–Giczey House. Baroque façades glow softly, Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér) falls quiet, and bell chimes drift through the streets. The Veszprém Archiepiscopal Tourism Center welcomes anyone who wants more than a stroll along Castle Street (Vár utca)—step into the palaces, chapels, and exhibitions to see the district’s inner world.
Festive opening hours for December are as follows: closed December 22–26; open December 27–30 (Saturday–Tuesday) 10:00–18:00; and December 31 (Wednesday) 10:00–15:00. Outside the holidays, regular hours apply: Monday closed; Tuesday–Friday 17:00–19:00; Saturday–Sunday 10:00–18:00.
The Biró–Giczey House is the Baroque gateway to the district: this is where guided castle walks start, where the gift shop is located, and where all exhibitions are free—including the 2025 Exhibition of the Year winner, Thistle and Lily – The Flowers of Magdalenes (Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai).
Guided Castle Walks
The weekend crowd-pleaser runs three times a day at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00, opening doors to places normally off-limits. Highlights include:
• Archbishop’s Palace: Baroque interiors, renewed spaces, special artifacts.
• Gizella Chapel: one of the oldest, calmest sacred spaces in the district, with surviving fresco fragments that evoke a distinct medieval mood.
• St. Michael’s Cathedral and crypt: one of the city’s defining buildings, where the basilica’s past and medieval details in the crypt sketch a vivid picture of Veszprém’s history.
• St. George’s Chapel: an ancient memorial site in the heart of the castle, accessible only on guided walks.
Walks depart from the Biró–Giczey House; current times and any changes appear in the event calendar.
Exhibitions at the Biró–Giczey House
All exhibitions are free during opening hours.
• Thistle and Lily – The Flowers of Magdalenes (Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai): the 2025 prize-winning show tells the story of Mary Magdalene through artifacts, engravings, and contemporary reflections, interwoven with thoughts by Blessed Mária Magdolna Bódi.
• Pantry Exhibition – Details from the Cathedral’s Past: Baroque objects, liturgical elements, and photos over 100 years old.
• My Head Is Not a Chapter – interactive: a playful, clear look at who the canons were and how the Veszprém chapter worked.
• Archaeology: the hill’s changing settlement history and finds, presented with striking installations.
December Hours at a Glance
• Dec 22–26: closed
• Dec 27–30 (Sat–Tue): 10:00–18:00
• Dec 31 (Wed): 10:00–15:00
General (non-holiday) hours:
Exhibitions – Biró–Giczey House: Monday closed; Tuesday–Friday 17:00–19:00; Saturday–Sunday 10:00–18:00.
Gift shop (Biró–Giczey House): Saturday–Sunday 10:00–18:00.
Program Highlights in Veszprém
2025.12.27. Festive Harmonies – a concert by Ádám Tabajdi, István Horváth, and the Harmónia Chamber Ensemble in St. Michael’s Cathedral, Veszprém.
2025.12.27–28 Guided Castle Walks at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00. The Biró–Giczey House is a Baroque jewel box with a garden, gift shop, and exhibitions. Themed walks: The Walk of Light and Devotion (Archbishop’s Palace + Gizella Chapel) Saturday–Sunday at 11:30 and 16:00; A Thousand Years’ Path (Cathedral + crypt + St. George’s Chapel) Saturday–Sunday at 14:00. Departures from the Biró–Giczey House.
2025.12.29 Guided Castle Walks at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00, with the same themes and departures. Tickets and info: Gift Shop, Veszprém.
2025.12.30 Guided Castle Walks at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00, same themes and departures. Tickets and info: Gift Shop, Veszprém.
What’s Next
2025.12.31. New Year’s Eve Ramble with a toast.
2026.01.17. Menopause Tour (Menopauza turné), from $27 to $68.
2026.03.27. Lord of the Dance – 30th Anniversary Tour, from $32 to $51.
2026.05.24. 4th Veszprém Triathlon Festival (IV. Veszprém Triatlon Fesztivál).
2026.07.10–19 Rosé, Riesling and Jazz Festival (Rozé, Rizling és Jazz Fesztivál).
2026.07.15. Juanes – VeszprémFest 2026, from $51 to $75.
2026.07.15–18 VeszprémFest, from $5 to $75.
2026.07.16. Beth Hart – VeszprémFest 2026, $75.
2026.07.17. Kraftwerk – VeszprémFest 2026, from $51 to $69.
2026.07.18. Pink Martini – VeszprémFest 2026, from $51 to $69.
2026.07.23–25 Veszprém Street Music Festival.
2026.08.03–09 Auer Festival.
2026.08.13–19 30th Cell-Cup Veszprém International Handball Festival.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
