Page 21 - Esztergom 2021

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Víziváros (Watertown), one of the historical cores of Eszter- Hungary has a prestigious collection of medieval books. Arriv-
gom, stretches between the Castle Hill and the River Danube. ing at Mindszenty Square, the centre of Víziváros, the sight of
The former archbishop’s town has preserved its characteristic the Prímás (Primate’s) Palace and the Two-Tower Church

19th-century image so much that the district is often used as a impresses us. Our richest ecclesiastical collection, the Christian
location for shooting films and television series. Its history dates Museum, is located within the building of the palace where

back to 1239 when the archbishop received permission from visitors can admire German, Italian, French, and Dutch paint-
King Béla IV to found a city. Víziváros was protected for cen- ings, in addition to those of Hungary. The Bálint Balassa Mu-

turies by a protection system connected to the castle, forming seum and the Visual Library, the city’s archaeological and local
an integral part of it. According to travelogues and reports, a history museum, is located on the other side of the square. At
mechanical system brought water up to the castle from here. the northern end of Víziváros, we can find the mosque with its

Although the district consists only of a few streets, it has, how- truncated minaret, which is one of the longest surviving mon-

ever, cultural values of national significance. Arriving from the uments of the Ottoman Empire along the Danube. Th e build-
city centre, the building of the Bibliotheca welcomes visitors ing, renovated in 2007, currently operates as an exhibition space

to Víziváros. The oldest and richest ecclesiastical library of and café.
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