Szolnok

Hungary

Aerial view of the city Szolnok is in the middle of the Great Hungarian Plain, is the self-proclaimed capital of the river Tisza, the gate of Nagykunság, and the county seat of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County.

Szolnok is a small city 100 km east-southeast of Budapest on the Great Hungarian Plain. As it lies at the confluence of the rivers Tisza and Zagyva, the first bridge over the Tisza was built here and the second railway route in Hungary led to this city, invading armies of all sorts attacked and destroyed this infrastructural center over its history (it was bombed twelve times during the Second World War alone). It also means that Szolnok lacks any historical buildings older than the 18th century, and socialist realism had its impact on its architecture. The city, which had often been described as ugly, started to go under an ongoing major reconstruction in the mid-2000s which resulted in some pleasant public squares around the city. Szolnok also acts as the cultural center of the neighboring regions.

The coldest month in Szolnok is January while the hottest is July with an average difference of 22.6°C. The yearly precipitation is 495 mm on average. The most rainy months are May and June with almost double precipitation than in January, February, and March. The number of sunny hours is around 2025 a year but can show great fluctuation each year. The months with most sunshine are the ones during the summer (with 260-280 hours a month) while the ones with the least are November, December, and January (50-75 hours a month).

  • Tourinform - Szolnok, Kossuth tér 9., +36 56 420-704. At the address M-Th 08:00-16:00, P 08:00-13:00; in the kiosk on Kossuth tér P 13:00-17:00. A free, mainly Hungarian program magazine for the region called Szolnoki Est is published fortnightly.

Tourinform - Szolnok, Kossuth tér 9., +36 56 420-704. At the address M-Th 08:00-16:00, P 08:00-13:00; in the kiosk on Kossuth tér P 13:00-17:00.

The Szolnok Calvinist church Although, Szolnok is not abundant in general tourist attractions, you may found several sites interesting depending on your interests.

  • Art colony, Gutenberg tér 12., +36 56 230-605. Founded in 1902, this art colony has one of the longest traditions in Hungary. Among others, Sándor Bihari, Adolf Fényes, Vilmos Aba-Novák, József Koszta, and Zoltán Borbereki Kovács worked here. It holds exhibitions and biennales regularly. On the grounds of the colony, an artificial ruin can be found, built of the stones of the castle that once stood there.
  • Aviation museum (Indóház), Indóház út 4-6., +36 56 781-530. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. A museum dedicated to military aviation history in and around the former Szolnok railway station. One of the oldest railway station buildings in Hungary, which opened on 1 Sep 1847. Some of the features are available only for extra fee. Tu-F: adults Ft 2000, student/retired: Ft 1000, 0–6/70+: free; Sa Su: adults Ft 2500, student/retired Ft 1250, 0–6/70+ free.
  • Beer Museum, Kossuth tér 9. (in the building of the City Hall, accessible from the square, +36 20 282-8822. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. A museum dedicated to beer-making. The attendance to the bar which is part of the museum is free. Guided tours are available for groups of max. 10 people for Tu-F Ft 2000, SaSu Ft 2500. Tu-F: adults Ft 1000, student/retired 500 Ft, Children under 6 free; Sa Su: adults Ft 1200, student/retired Ft 700, children under 6 free.
  • Gallery, Templom utca 2., +36 56 513-640. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. The synagogue was built in 1898–99 by Lipót Baumhorn in late Eclectic style and functioned as the Jewish house of prayer until the 1940s. The building was bought and reconstructed by the city in the 1960s, since 1972 it is the city gallery. It offers seasonal exhibitions. Adults Ft 300, students/soldiers/retired Ft 150, children under 6 free (further reductions available).
  • János Damjanich Museum, Kossuth tér 4., +36 56 421-602, +36 56 510-150. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. The local museum has ethnographic, archeological, and seasonal exhibitions, as well as a gallery of pictures from the art colony. The building itself (built in 1860 by Lajos Obermayer) was once the Hungarian Royal Hotel (Magyar Királyi Szálló). Adults Ft 300, students/soldiers/retired Ft 150, children under 6 free (further reductions available).
  • Open-Air Water Museum, Milléri szivattyútelep, +36 56 375-111. Pre-registration is necessary.
  • Tabán Country House Museum, Tabán 24., +36 70 943-5960. May-Sep: Th-Su 13:00-17:00. Built in 1930 in the city's oldest (17th century) district. It was built as a fisherman's home. It has been preserved in that state. Adults Ft 300, students/soldiers/retired Ft 150, children under 6 free (further reductions available).

Art colony, Gutenberg tér 12., +36 56 230-605. Founded in 1902, this art colony has one of the longest traditions in Hungary. Among others, Sándor Bihari, Adolf Fényes, Vilmos Aba-Novák, József Koszta, and Zoltán Borbereki Kovács worked here. It holds exhibitions and biennales regularly. On the grounds of the colony, an artificial ruin can be found, built of the stones of the castle that once stood there.

Aviation museum (Indóház), Indóház út 4-6., +36 56 781-530. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. A museum dedicated to military aviation history in and around the former Szolnok railway station. One of the oldest railway station buildings in Hungary, which opened on 1 Sep 1847. Some of the features are available only for extra fee. Tu-F: adults Ft 2000, student/retired: Ft 1000, 0–6/70+: free; Sa Su: adults Ft 2500, student/retired Ft 1250, 0–6/70+ free.

Beer Museum, Kossuth tér 9. (in the building of the City Hall, accessible from the square, +36 20 282-8822. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. A museum dedicated to beer-making. The attendance to the bar which is part of the museum is free. Guided tours are available for groups of max. 10 people for Tu-F Ft 2000, SaSu Ft 2500. Tu-F: adults Ft 1000, student/retired 500 Ft, Children under 6 free; Sa Su: adults Ft 1200, student/retired Ft 700, children under 6 free.

Gallery, Templom utca 2., +36 56 513-640. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. The synagogue was built in 1898–99 by Lipót Baumhorn in late Eclectic style and functioned as the Jewish house of prayer until the 1940s. The building was bought and reconstructed by the city in the 1960s, since 1972 it is the city gallery. It offers seasonal exhibitions. Adults Ft 300, students/soldiers/retired Ft 150, children under 6 free (further reductions available).

János Damjanich Museum, Kossuth tér 4., +36 56 421-602, +36 56 510-150. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. The local museum has ethnographic, archeological, and seasonal exhibitions, as well as a gallery of pictures from the art colony. The building itself (built in 1860 by Lajos Obermayer) was once the Hungarian Royal Hotel (Magyar Királyi Szálló). Adults Ft 300, students/soldiers/retired Ft 150, children under 6 free (further reductions available).

Open-Air Water Museum, Milléri szivattyútelep, +36 56 375-111. Pre-registration is necessary.

Tabán Country House Museum, Tabán 24., +36 70 943-5960. May-Sep: Th-Su 13:00-17:00. Built in 1930 in the city's oldest (17th century) district. It was built as a fisherman's home. It has been preserved in that state. Adults Ft 300, students/soldiers/retired Ft 150, children under 6 free (further reductions available).

  • Franciscan church and monastic quarter, Templom út 8.. This former Franciscan church is the city's most important monument. It was built between 1724 and 1757 in Baroque style based on the design by G.B. Carlone. The quarter is from the same period.
  • Our Lady of Hungary Church, Szent István tér. The Castle Church was built by Ferenc Homályossy in 1822–24 in Classicist style of the stones of the castle and the ruin of the Turkish buildings that once stood there. Behind the church there is a statue of John of Nepomuk. The statue is from 1804.
  • Reformed church, Tiszaparti sétány 1. (entrance from Templom út, +36 56 376-810. The building—finished in 1894—was designed by Ottó Sztehlo in neo-Gothic style. The pulpit was made of larch wood.
  • Saint Francis Xavier Chapel. It was built in 1733 after a plague epidemic ended.

Franciscan church and monastic quarter, Templom út 8.. This former Franciscan church is the city's most important monument. It was built between 1724 and 1757 in Baroque style based on the design by G.B. Carlone. The quarter is from the same period.

Our Lady of Hungary Church, Szent István tér. The Castle Church was built by Ferenc Homályossy in 1822–24 in Classicist style of the stones of the castle and the ruin of the Turkish buildings that once stood there. Behind the church there is a statue of John of Nepomuk. The statue is from 1804.

Reformed church, Tiszaparti sétány 1. (entrance from Templom út, +36 56 376-810. The building—finished in 1894—was designed by Ottó Sztehlo in neo-Gothic style. The pulpit was made of larch wood.

Saint Francis Xavier Chapel. It was built in 1733 after a plague epidemic ended.

  • City Hall, Kossuth tér 9., +36 56 503-503. It was built in 1884 in Eclectic style on the place where Lajos Kossuth performed one of his famous military recruiting speeches on 27 Sep 1848.
  • County Hall, Kossuth út 2.. Designed by Károly Benkő, it was built in 1878 in Eclectic style. In its backyard there is a rose garden. The garden presents 300 rose species that are indigenous to Hungary.
  • Szigligeti Theatre, Táncsics Mihály utca 20., +36 56 342-633. Although it was built before 1912, it received its current stately facade in 1991. The building is heated by thermal water.
  • Tisza blooming. In mid and late June the Tisza produces swarms of mayflies which are likened to flowers. They're famous for living only for 1–2 days.
  • Tiszavirág bridge. The longest footbridge in Central Europe (built in 2009–10) connects the city center (Tiszai hajósok tere) with the Tiszaliget where the lido and other sport facilities are found. The bridge resembles a mayfly (hence the name). It was built with the intention to create a new symbol for the city.
  • Turkish bridge. The remains of the first permanent bridge over the river Tisza (made of wood in the 16th century) can only be seen when the river reaches extreme low levels.

City Hall, Kossuth tér 9., +36 56 503-503. It was built in 1884 in Eclectic style on the place where Lajos Kossuth performed one of his famous military recruiting speeches on 27 Sep 1848.

County Hall, Kossuth út 2.. Designed by Károly Benkő, it was built in 1878 in Eclectic style. In its backyard there is a rose garden. The garden presents 300 rose species that are indigenous to Hungary.

Szigligeti Theatre, Táncsics Mihály utca 20., +36 56 342-633. Although it was built before 1912, it received its current stately facade in 1991. The building is heated by thermal water.

Tisza blooming. In mid and late June the Tisza produces swarms of mayflies which are likened to flowers. They're famous for living only for 1–2 days.

Tiszavirág bridge. The longest footbridge in Central Europe (built in 2009–10) connects the city center (Tiszai hajósok tere) with the Tiszaliget where the lido and other sport facilities are found. The bridge resembles a mayfly (hence the name). It was built with the intention to create a new symbol for the city.

Turkish bridge. The remains of the first permanent bridge over the river Tisza (made of wood in the 16th century) can only be seen when the river reaches extreme low levels.

  • Battle of Szolnok. Although Szolnok has been destroyed by armies countless times, the battle of the war of independence against the Habsburgs on 5 Mar 1849 is remembered as a victory of the Hungarians. The battle is performed in costumes every March by about 200 people. Free admission.
  • Fishing. Fishing in Szolnok is very popular as it has two rivers and three lakes that are suitable for that. (Tisza and Zagyva, Alcsi-Holt-Tisza—an oxbow lake of Tisza, Csónakázó-tó in Tiszaliget, and a fishing lake in Millér.) For permissions and further information contact the Közép-Tiszavidéki Horgászegyesületek Szövetsége, Tabán 9., +36 56 512-610. M-Th 08:00-14:00, F 08:00-12:00.
  • Goulash Festival, +36 56 514-364, +36 56 898-067. Held since 1999, the festival attracts a thousand teams every year made up of Hungarians and foreigners, professionals and amateurs, co-workers, friends and families which compete for the title "Goulash King of Hungary". It is an excellent occasion to try Hungarian cuisine.
  • Medical thermal spa at Hotel Tisza, Verseghy park 2., +36 56 510-850. M-F 07:00-16:00. Adults Ft 1500, students/retired Ft 1000.
  • Thermal Spa and Experience Bath, Tiszaligeti sétány, +36 56 379-701. M-F 05:45-20:00, Sa Su 8:00-20:00. The lido has sport pools, massage, fitness, and sauna facilities, thermal and medical water. One-day ticket prices: adults Ft 1650, students/retired Ft 1045.
  • Tiszavirág Festival. Annual cultural and music festival with exhibitions of brewery and folk art etc. organized since 2006 in June. Free admission.

Battle of Szolnok. Although Szolnok has been destroyed by armies countless times, the battle of the war of independence against the Habsburgs on 5 Mar 1849 is remembered as a victory of the Hungarians. The battle is performed in costumes every March by about 200 people. Free admission.

Fishing. Fishing in Szolnok is very popular as it has two rivers and three lakes that are suitable for that. (Tisza and Zagyva, Alcsi-Holt-Tisza—an oxbow lake of Tisza, Csónakázó-tó in Tiszaliget, and a fishing lake in Millér.) For permissions and further information contact the Közép-Tiszavidéki Horgászegyesületek Szövetsége, Tabán 9., +36 56 512-610. M-Th 08:00-14:00, F 08:00-12:00.

Goulash Festival, +36 56 514-364, +36 56 898-067. Held since 1999, the festival attracts a thousand teams every year made up of Hungarians and foreigners, professionals and amateurs, co-workers, friends and families which compete for the title "Goulash King of Hungary". It is an excellent occasion to try Hungarian cuisine.

Medical thermal spa at Hotel Tisza, Verseghy park 2., +36 56 510-850. M-F 07:00-16:00. Adults Ft 1500, students/retired Ft 1000.

Thermal Spa and Experience Bath, Tiszaligeti sétány, +36 56 379-701. M-F 05:45-20:00, Sa Su 8:00-20:00. The lido has sport pools, massage, fitness, and sauna facilities, thermal and medical water. One-day ticket prices: adults Ft 1650, students/retired Ft 1045.

Tiszavirág Festival. Annual cultural and music festival with exhibitions of brewery and folk art etc. organized since 2006 in June. Free admission.

A large shopping area can be found at the junction of Routes 4 and 442 (address: Felső Szandai rét 1-9.) indcluding an Auchan, an Aldi, a Praktiker, an OBI, a MediaMarkt, and a line of fashion stores (Family Center).

Markets:

  • Market Hall, Ady Endre út 11.. Shopping centers:
  • Pelikán Bevásárlóközpont, Ady Endre út 15. (above the bus station, +36 56 372-882.
  • Szolnok Plaza, Ady Endre út 28/A, +36 56 506-501. The city's only multiplex cinema is here. All titles are either dubbed (denoted by mb) or subtitled (f) in Hungarian.

Market Hall, Ady Endre út 11..

Pelikán Bevásárlóközpont, Ady Endre út 15. (above the bus station, +36 56 372-882.

Szolnok Plaza, Ady Endre út 28/A, +36 56 506-501. The city's only multiplex cinema is here. All titles are either dubbed (denoted by mb) or subtitled (f) in Hungarian.

Árkád Étterem, Magyar út 1., +36 70 515-6600. Menu: Ft 790.

Bajnok Étterem, Baross utca 3., +36 56 421-089. 11:30-22:00.

Dreher Étterem Söröző, Baross utca 7., +36 56 424-706. M-Sa 11:00-22:00. Menu: Ft 930.

Evezős Csárda, Vízpart körút 1., +36 56 344-857. 06:00-22:00.

Galéria Étterem, Szapáry út 1. (at the Gallery and Tiszavirág bridge, +36 56 513-053, +36 30 249-3194. Menu: Ft 990.

Halászcsárda, Damjanich út 1. (entrance from Szabadság tér at the Tisza bridge, +36 56 429-519, +36 20 974-7342. H-Sa 11:00-23:00, Su 11:00-17:00. Halászcsárda is known for its fish dishes. Menu: Ft 850.

Nádas Étterem, Petőfi Sándor utca 6., +36 56 421-242.

New York Cafe & Bistro, Kossuth tér 3., +36 20 500-5347. M-Tu, Su 10:00-22:00, F-Sa 10:00-23:00. Menu: Ft 850.

The city is all quiet after dark, only a few night clubs and pubs wait for visitors during the night.

  • Boomerang Club, Szapáry utca 24., +36 20 358 2204. F-Su 21:00-05:00.

Boomerang Club, Szapáry utca 24., +36 20 358 2204. F-Su 21:00-05:00.

The city provides free Wi-Fi on the main square (Kossuth tér) for two hours a day per device.

The telephone country code of Hungary is +36, while the area code of Szolnok is 56.