Veszprém’s Castle Quarter is opening its doors again in 2026 with guided walks that peel back a thousand years of history. Stroll through sacred spaces, Baroque salons, and newly accessible underground chapels, and feel the thread of continuity that has shaped the City of Queens (Királynék városa) across a millennium. Weekend tours start from the Biró–Giczey House at 31 Vár Street (Vár utca 31), leading small groups into areas closed to individual visitors—quiet chapels, vaulted crypts, and the grand Archbishop’s Palace.
What the castle walks include
Three departures anchor the weekends: 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00. These tours unlock sites normally off-limits:
– Archbishop’s Palace: Baroque interiors, renewed spaces, and a collection of exceptional art and objects.
– Gizella Chapel: one of the oldest and calmest sacred rooms in the quarter, where surviving medieval fresco fragments cast a moody, time-worn light.
– St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica and crypt: Veszprém’s defining silhouette; the basilica’s layered past and the crypt’s medieval details sketch a vivid, faithful story of the city.
– St. George’s Chapel: an ancient shrine at the heart of the castle, accessible only with a guide.
Tours depart from the Biró–Giczey House; check the events calendar for current start times and any changes.
Free exhibitions at the Biró–Giczey House
All exhibitions are free during opening hours.
– Thistles and Lilies – The Flowers of the Magdalens (Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai): Winner of Exhibition of the Year 2025, this show presents Mary Magdalene through artifacts, prints, and contemporary reflections, paired with the thoughts of Blessed Mária Magdolna Bódi.
– Pantry Exhibition – fragments from the Cathedral’s past: Baroque objects, liturgical elements, and photographs more than 100 years old.
– Not a Chapter in My Head – interactive: a playful, clear guide to who the canons were and how the Veszprém Chapter worked.
– Archaeological exhibition: dazzling installations trace the hill’s evolving settlement history and its finds across centuries.
Opening hours
Exhibitions – Biró–Giczey House (excluding holidays):
– 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
Two themed tours
– Walk of Light and Awe: Archbishop’s Palace + Gizella Chapel.
– A Thousand Years’ Path: St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica + crypt + St. George’s Chapel.
Meeting point and departure: in front of the Biró–Giczey House (31 Vár Street / Vár utca 31). Groups are capped at 25 people. Duration: about 60 minutes.
When to go
Saturday–Sunday schedule:
– 11:30 and 16:00: Walk of Light and Awe
– 14:00: A Thousand Years’ Path
Exact times appear in the events calendar; liturgical and other events may prompt changes.
Tickets and prices
Buy tickets at the Biró–Giczey House gift shop (cash and bank card).
– Adult: 3,500 HUF
– Student / senior: 3,200 HUF
– Family (2 adults + 1–3 children): 7,000 HUF
– Pilgrim ticket (with parish recommendation): 2,500 HUF
Tip: because of the headcount limit, arrive 10–15 minutes early.
What’s new this year
The guided castle walks expand with two standout stops. Visitors can now head underground to the crypt of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica and explore the revealed remains of St. George’s Chapel—where a thousand years become visible underfoot. In the cathedral, the new route reaches into deep time: the 14th‑century Gothic sanctuary, the Baroque tomb of Bishop Márton Padányi Bíró, and a fully restored interior. Down in the crypt, the hush beneath the vaults and the sense of time trapped in stone make this one of the year’s most unforgettable moments.
St. George’s Chapel
On the cathedral’s north side, St. George’s Chapel ranks among the oldest memorial sites in Hungarian Christianity. Archaeological research uncovered the original 10th‑century rotunda’s foundation walls. Tradition says Prince St. Emeric made his vow here before the altar of the Virgin Mary, giving the place singular sacred weight. In the Middle Ages, the chapel was a prime pilgrimage stop: it housed a head relic of St. George, gifted by the Byzantine emperor to King St. Stephen.
Dates at a glance
Guided walks run all year, about 60 minutes each, with limited group sizes. Upcoming sessions in Veszprém include:
– 2026.03.14.: 14:00, 16:00
– 2026.03.15., 03.21., 03.22., 03.28., 03.29.: 11:30, 14:00, 16:00
– 2026.04.03.–04.08.: 10:30, 14:00, 16:00 daily
More dates coming soon. Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs.
Address and meeting point: Biró–Giczey House, 31 Vár Street (Vár u. 31), 8200 Veszprém.
