Preparations are in full swing for the events marking the 700th anniversary of Visegrád’s elevation to the status of a royal town. Visitors to Visegrád can look forward to a number of large-scale events, and we would now like to provide an overview of the series of planned events, which are expected to be launched on 28 February at an international press conference to be held at the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest.
Image source: Gergely Buzás, Visegrád of the Kings, King Matthias Museum, Visegrád, 2018.
In 1323, the court of King Charles I moved to Visegrád, and as Gergely Buzás mentions in his essay *Visegrád: A Royal Town for 700 Years*, it is highly likely that Visegrád was granted the status of a free royal town in that same year. This marked the beginning of a glorious era which was the most outstanding period in the history not only of Visegrád but of Hungary as a whole. Visegrád has remained an indelible symbol of Hungarian history ever since.
Visegrád Commemorative Stamp
Magyar Posta is issuing a commemorative stamp to mark this notable event.
Visegrád Commemorative Medal
The town of Visegrád is producing a commemorative medal to mark its 700th anniversary. The last commemorative medal linked to the town was produced in 2004; it was designed by György Kiss, and 4,000 copies were issued as part of the ‘Historic Castles of Hungary’ commemorative medal series.
Installation of festive signage in Visegrád
A total of seven commemorative plaques will be installed at busy and symbolically significant locations in Visegrád. (Locations: the Town Gate, the Visegrád town signposts, the eastern gate tower of the Upper Castle, the Buda Gate and the Visegrád Gate of the Lower Castle, and the main entrance to the Royal Palace.)
We are planting 700 new trees
Between March and October, the town council plans to plant 700 saplings at various locations around the town, and they are counting on the enthusiastic support of local residents for this work. This will not only be a tribute to mark the anniversary, but also a huge step forward in the vitally important process of urban afforestation.
Student programmes in the city
The events in the ‘Visegrád: The 700-Year-Old Royal Seat’ programme series aimed specifically at school pupils will take place in early summer. According to the plans, the series of events, in partnership with the Ervin Lázár Programme, will enable more than 30,000 young people to visit Visegrád.
Summer University
The Order of St George’s Summer University will hold its lectures at the Royal Palace in 2023.
The title of the accompanying exhibition, the opening of which coincides with the start of the academic year, is ‘700 Years of Timișoara–Visegrád’.
Gala concerts
The National Wind Orchestra will hold a gala concert at the Royal Palace to mark the 700th anniversary, and the Dunakeszi Symphony Orchestra will give several performances at the Royal Palace and in Solomon’s Tower over the course of the summer.
Visegrád International Palace Games (7–9 July)
The programme for the Palotajátékok festival, to be held in 2023, will place particular emphasis on this anniversary, as the event has, from its very inception, centred on the royal assembly organised by Charles I in 1335; King Charles’s spirit and legacy are inseparable from Visegrád.
The unveiling of the statue of King Charles I
According to preliminary plans, the ceremonial unveiling of the statue will take place at the Event Square in the presence of the Prime Minister of Hungary and a delegation from the twin towns.
Charles I Commemoration Day
A commemoration of our Anjou monarch – who granted Visegrád the status of a free royal town and moved his seat of government to Visegrád – will take place in the Upper Castle in mid-July.
A visit to Charles I’s birthplace
An organised trip from Visegrád to Naples, the birthplace of King Charles, is due to set off at the end of August.
Book launch
A comprehensive book entitled *Visegrád, the 700-year-old royal seat* is currently being prepared, and its launch is expected in mid-September.
A trip to Timișoara
According to the plans, a trip similar to the one to Naples is due to set off for Timișoara in early October; it was from there that Charles I moved his seat of government to Visegrád in 1323.
