"A magnificent flower of the Southern Great Plain of Hungary, Kalocsa is located in the western part of Bacs-Kiskun County, on the left side of the Danube, about 75 miles from Budapest.The Archbishopric of Kalocsa -- founded by St. Stephen in 1001 -- had administrative power over an extended territory, and if there was a need, fought defensive battles for the country.
The city's historic significance cannot be overestimated. Besides the fact that artifacts found in this area date back to Celtic times (300 A.D.), Kalocsa is also the city whose first Archbishop, Bishop Astrid had the honor of bringing the Holy Crown to Saint Stephen, founder of the Christian state of Hungary.
Medieval centuries witnessed several Archbishops to crown kings of Hungary, including famous captains such as Pal Tomori, who lead the Hungarian armies in the battle of Mohacs. During the long Turkish occupation both the city and the countryside were laid waste and were depopulated, to be revived later, in the 18th century, when a moat was built to protect the city from further attacks.
After this so-called "Second Conquest", in a short half a century, the archiepiscopal estate was restored, together with the diocesan administration located in some of the most magnificent buildings of Kalocsa. In 1733 a monastery, in 1765 a college, and in 1768 a printing press was established in the town. In 1782, Adam Patachich founded a library by amalgamating his private collection and that of the Bishopric's, and by the second half of the 19th century the archbishops turned Kalocsa into an educational center of national reputation.
Although the city escaped the devastation of the 1848-1849 Revolution, it could not escape the floods and the conflagrations. After a period of difficulties, the city experienced an economic boost, when in 1888 the railway reached its borders. The following period of prosperity was slowed only by the two World Wars, and the rise of the 20th century already saw the triumph of the world famous paprika, as well as that of the local folk art.
The city's educational traditions are carried on by the Pal Tomori College, founded in 2004, and his past and present live on hand-in-hand on Szentharomsag (Holy Trinity) Square, in historic downtown Kalocsa.
Visitors are invited to spend a couple of hours to see the Cathedral -- one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Hungary -- enjoy an organ concert on its Angster organ much appreciated by Ferenc Liszt, and then satisfy their senses in the Library of the Cathedral, the Archiepiscopal Treasury, and the Paprika Museum. And then, a stroll in the Archbishop’s garden -- the greatest park in the city -- will help unwind and let the experience sink in, at the end of a day well spent."
Source: Puszta.com
To rent a car to visit Kalocsa we recommend Fox Autorent
01.03.2008