Esztergom (Hungary)

Esztergom is a Danube River cruise port located in northern Hungary. Tjhe city is approx 46 km (29 ml) northwest of the country's capital Budapest. It lies on Danube's right bank, forming the border with Slovakia. Esztergom was Hungary's capital from the 10th until mid-13th century when the royal seat was moved to Buda. The town covers a total area of 100 km2 (39 ml2) and has population around 30,000.

Esztergom is the seat of the Primate (prímás) of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary, as well as the former seat of Hungary's Constitutional Court. The city boasts its Kereszteny Muzeum, featuring the largest ecclesiastical collection in Hungary.

Esztergom is among the oldest cities in Hungary. The results of the most recent archeological excavations revealed that the Castle Hill (Varhegy) and its vicinity had been inhabited since the end of Ice Age 20,000 years ago. The first inhabitants known by name were the Western European Celts, who settled in the area in about 350 BC.

The winding streets of Esztergom, with its church towers create historical atmosphere. Below the Basilica, at the edge of mountain stand the old bastions, rondellas and walls – the remains of the Esztergom castle. The remains of one section of the castle that had been built during Ottoman rule had been buried until the 1930s. One of the major events of the 1930s was the renovation of the remains of the palace of Arpad period (Árpád, 845-907, was the head of the confederation of Hungarian tribes). Those traveling today to Esztergom can admire the Basilica, the most monumental construction of Hungarian Classicism, which rules the landscape above the Danube, surrounded by mountains.

Esztergom cruise terminal