The Veszprém Castle District embraces winter with soft lights on Baroque façades, quiet corners around Holy Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér), and bell chimes drifting through the lanes. Even in the cold months, the Archdiocesan Tourism Center welcomes anyone seeking more than a stroll down Castle Street (Vár utca). Behind the walls, palaces, chapels, and exhibitions open up their stories—and much of it begins at the Biró–Giczey House, the Baroque gateway to the hilltop quarter, with a garden, gift shop, and free-entry exhibitions, including the award-winning Thistle and Lily – Magdalene’s Flowers (Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai), named Exhibition of the Year 2025.
Holiday and Regular Opening Hours
The district observes special festive hours in December:
– December 22–26: closed
– December 27–30 (Saturday–Tuesday): 10:00–18:00
– December 31 (Wednesday): 10:00–15:00
Outside the holidays, the regular schedule applies:
– 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
Guided Castle Walks
Weekends bring the district’s most popular program in three time slots: 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00. These guided walks open spaces not accessible on your own:
– Archiepiscopal Palace: Baroque interiors, renewed rooms, rare objects.
– Gizella Chapel: one of the oldest, quietest sacred sites, where fragmentary frescoes evoke a vivid medieval mood.
– St. Michael’s Cathedral and crypt: the city’s defining basilica; its history and the crypt’s medieval details paint a faithful picture of Veszprém’s past.
– St. George’s Chapel: an ancient sanctuary in the heart of the castle, visitable only on guided tours.
All tours start in front of the Biró–Giczey House; check the events calendar for updates.
Exhibitions at the Biró–Giczey House
All exhibitions are free during opening hours.
– Thistle and Lily – Magdalene’s Flowers (Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai): the 2025 Exhibition of the Year explores Mary Magdalene through artifacts, prints, and contemporary reflections, guided by the thoughts of Blessed Mária Magdolna Bódi.
– Pantry Exhibition – details from the Cathedral’s past: Baroque objects, liturgical pieces, and photos over 100 years old.
– My Head Is Not a Chapterhouse – interactive show: a playful, clear look at who the canons were and how the Veszprém chapter worked.
– Archaeology exhibition: the hill’s changing settlement history across the centuries, presented with striking installations.
December Tour Schedule in Veszprém
December 27–28: Guided walks at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00.
Themes:
– A Walk of Light and Devotion: Archiepiscopal Palace + Gizella Chapel at 11:30 and 16:00.
– A Thousand Years’ Path: Cathedral + crypt + St. George’s Chapel at 14:00.
Start: Biró–Giczey House.
December 29–30: Guided walks at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00 with the same themes and times. Tickets and info: gift shop. Start: Biró–Giczey House.
December 31: Guided walks at 11:30 and 14:00.
– Light and Devotion at 11:30.
– A Thousand Years’ Path at 14:00.
Start: Biró–Giczey House. Tickets and info: gift shop. Group size: max. 25 people. Exhibitions remain free to visit.
Practical Notes
The Biró–Giczey House is the Baroque jewel box of the Castle District—your launchpad for tours, a warm garden pause, and a browse through the gift shop. On festive days and regular weekends, plan ahead: capacities are capped, and some interiors are accessible only with a guide.
