Szombathely

Overview

Perhaps not the first place on most tourists itinerary Szombathely is a quiet laid-back little place. It does have it's attractions though. Nearly 1800 years ago Savaria ancient Szombathely was the capital of the province of Upper Pannonia. It's history is evident in the Garden of Ruins where you can find a couple of the better mosaics in the country.  The Garden of Ruins is also occasionally used as a concert venue. Sadly the Iseum across town on Rakoczi Ferenc utca is a strong candidate for worst restoration in the world. Nearby however are the Szombathely Gallery which specialises in modern art and the Bela Bartok concert hall which in bygone days was a synagogue. The plaque commemorating the deportation of the Jews from the town in 1944 bears mute witness to darker days. 

In addition out of the centre of town is the Var Museum Village an open-air museum where thirty or so village houses have been reconstructed to give a glimpse at Hungary's agricultural past.  

History