The Veszprém Castle District is offering a warm welcome this winter with atmospheric walks, award-winning exhibitions, and a festive schedule centered around the Biró–Giczey House. Baroque facades glow softly, silence settles over Holy Trinity (Szentháromság) Square, and bell chimes ripple through the narrow streets. The Archiepiscopal Tourism Center invites visitors to go beyond the postcard views of Castle (Vár) Street and step inside the palaces, chapels, and galleries that tell Veszprém’s real story.
The Biró–Giczey House serves as the Baroque gateway to the district: guided castle walks start here, there’s a gift shop, and several exhibitions are free to enter. One highlight, Thistle and Lily – Flowers of the Magdalens (Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai), was honored as Exhibition of the Year 2025, bringing Mary Magdalene (Mária Magdolna) to life through artifacts, engravings, and contemporary responses intertwined with reflections by Blessed Magdolna Mária Bódi (Boldog Bódi Mária Magdolna).
Festive Opening Hours
During December, hours shift for the holidays. The district is closed December 22–26. It reopens December 27–30, Saturday to Tuesday, 10:00–18:00, and on December 31, Wednesday, 10:00–15:00. Outside the festive period, regular hours apply: Monday closed; Tuesday–Friday, 17:00–19:00; Saturday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00. The Biró–Giczey House gift shop welcomes weekend visitors 10:00–18:00.
Guided Castle Walks
The weekend headliners run at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00, unlocking spaces not accessible on your own. Stops include the Archiepiscopal Palace with renewed Baroque interiors and distinctive artifacts; the tranquil Gizella Chapel, one of the oldest sacred spaces in the district, where medieval fresco fragments set a rarefied mood; St. Michael’s Cathedral and its crypt, where the basilica’s past and medieval details sketch an authentic portrait of Veszprém; and the St. George (Szent György) Chapel, an ancient sanctuary only visitable on a guided tour. Tours depart from the Biró–Giczey House; check the events calendar for current times and updates. Tickets and information are available in the gift shop.
What’s On Inside the Biró–Giczey House
All exhibitions are free during opening hours.
• Thistle and Lily – Flowers of the Magdalens (Bogáncs és liliom – Magdolnák virágai): Exhibition of the Year 2025, exploring Mary Magdalene through objects, prints, and contemporary reflections.
• Pantry Exhibition – Snapshots from the Cathedral’s Past: Baroque objects, liturgical elements, and photos over 100 years old.
• Not a Chapter in My Head (Nem káptalan a fejem) – an interactive show that explains who the canons were and how the Veszprém chapter worked, in a lively, accessible way.
• Archaeological exhibition: immersive installations tracing the changing settlement history of the castle hill across the centuries.
Dates to Circle in Veszprém
December 29: Guided walks at 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00. Themes: The Walk of Light and Devotion (Archiepiscopal Palace + Gizella Chapel) at 11:30 and 16:00; A Thousand Years’ Path (Cathedral + crypt + St. George Chapel) at 14:00. Depart from the Biró–Giczey House. Group size max 25. Exhibitions remain free. Veszprém.
December 30: Same schedule and themes as December 29. Depart from the Biró–Giczey House. Tickets and info: gift shop. Veszprém.
December 31: Guided walks at 11:30 and 14:00. The Walk of Light and Devotion runs at 11:30; A Thousand Years’ Path at 14:00. Depart from the Biró–Giczey House. Group size max 25. Exhibitions remain free. Veszprém.
Looking Ahead
December 31: Year-End Ramble with a toast.
January 8, 2026: Conversation Club / American Corner, Eötvös Károly Library; Dog therapy session / Eötvös Károly Library.
January 17: Menopause Tour, from $28 to $70.
January 20: Board game afternoon / American Corner Veszprém – Eötvös Károly Library.
January 24: Kids’ Corner / American Corner, Eötvös Károly Library.
March 27: Lord of the Dance – 30th Anniversary Tour, from $33 to $55.
May 24: 4th Veszprém Triathlon Festival.
July 10–19: Rosé, Riesling and Jazz Festival (Rozé, Rizling és Jazz Fesztivál).
July 15: Juanes – VeszprémFest 2026, from $52 to $77.
July 15–18: VeszprémFest, from $5 to $77.
July 16: Beth Hart – VeszprémFest 2026, $69.
July 17: Kraftwerk – VeszprémFest 2026, from $52 to $71.
July 18: Pink Martini – VeszprémFest 2026, from $52 to $71.
July 23–25: Veszprém Street Music Festival.
August 3–9: Auer Festival.
August 13–19: 30th Cell-Cup Veszprém International Handball Festival.
Event times and programs are subject to change.
