Veszprém’s Archdiocese is lining up late-autumn and Advent programs across multiple venues, mixing history, faith, music, and guided urban escapes. Expect exhibitions, concerts, family and kids’ activities, expert talks, heritage tours, and church events—most clustered in the castle district, with a powerful historical walk to start things off.
Mindszenty: From Palace to Prison
On November 27, an arrest anniversary becomes a living lesson. The Archdiocese of Veszprém marks the day József Mindszenty, then Bishop of Veszprém, was taken into custody with a free but registration-only tour through sites of his ordeal. Led by Tibor László Varga, archivist of the Veszprém Archdiocesan Archives, the route enters the Courthouse and continues into the Castle Prison (Várbörtön), where the Devictus Vincit chamber exhibition evokes his imprisonment. Meet at 3:30 p.m. in front of the Veszprém Courthouse, Vár utca 19. The walk finishes at the Castle Prison Visitor Center in the Ruttner House.
Guided Castle Walks
Guided Castle Walks (Vezetett Várséták) return on November 29 and 30, and throughout Advent weekends, with three daily time slots—11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. (some dates offer two slots). Two themed routes anchor the program. The Light and Devotion Walk pairs the Archbishop’s Palace with the atmospheric Gizella Chapel, running Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The Thousand Years’ Path explores the Cathedral, its crypt, and the intimate St. George’s Chapel, set for Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
Baroque Jewel Basecamp
From December 6–7, December 13–14, December 20–21, and December 27–28, all castle walks depart from the Biró–Giczey House—the baroque jewel box of the Veszprém Castle Quarter. Beyond being the meeting point, it doubles as a serene garden stop, a gift shop for seasonal finds, and a compact exhibition space—an easy launchpad for visitors balancing culture, contemplation, and some holiday shopping. Times remain steady: 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. for the guided circuits, with the two thematic tracks repeating as above.
Holiday Concert Finale
December 27 caps the season with Festive Harmonies (Ünnepi harmóniák), a concert by Ádám Tabajdi, István Horváth, and the Harmónia Chamber Ensemble. It’s a warm acoustic embrace after days of stone corridors and candlelit chapels, nailing that end-of-year mood between reflection and celebration.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
