According to many, one of the nicest town centres of the country can be found
in Kecskemét.
Many remember Kecskemét for the chimes
of the Town Hall first,
which is one of the greatest ornaments of the town. It celebrates
the 100th anniversary of its foundation in 1996. It was built
in secessionist style according to Ödön Lechner's and
Gyula Pártos' plans. Its ceremonial hall can still be seen
in its original state decorated by Bertalan Székely's murals
of historical topic. The atmosphere of the one thousand year
anniversary of the conquest can be felt in the hall.
The topics of the two biggest murals are the two outstanding events
of the Hungarian history, one is the Conquest sealed with blood
and the other one is the coronation of Ferenc József
after the Compromise of 1867.
Opposite the Town Hall one can find the oldest architectural relic of Kecskemét, the church of the Franciscan friers that was already mentioned in the 14th century chronicles. It has been reconstructed and extended several times. The inside of the church is mainly formed by the 18th century Baroque renovation. The garden with ancient ruins next to the church used to be a cemetery. The cloister connected to the church was built by the Franciscan friers and now it is the home of Zoltán Kodály Institute of Music Pedagogy. Now the renovated monument is the scene of lectures and concerts. There is also an exhibition there on Zoltán Kodály's path of life. In 1975 the Institute was founded with the aim of developing and spreading the methods of music teaching in Hungary and abroad which was an important part of Kodály's life-work.
Standing in front of the Franciscan church one can already see one of
the nicest architectural relics of the turn of the century,
the József Katona Theatre.
One hundred years ago, in 1896 it was built from the money the town
got for the ranch they sold in Helv‚cia
The theatre was named after the author of "Bánk Bán"
the creator of the Hungarian drama who was born in Kecskemét.
In front of the theatre one can find the Statue of the Holy Trinity,
that was erected as a pledge memory by the survivors of the 1739-1740
epidemy of black death.
Next to the Franciscan church one can find the Calvinist church. It is the only church of the Great Hungarian Plain that was built during the Turkish era on the territory under Turkish rule. The building that was dedicated in 1684, preserves Gothic elements only in traces. It has been rebuilt several times because of fires, destroying wind-storms that resulted the mixture of different architectural styles.
Walking towards Kálvin Square we soon catch sight of the building of the Old College. It was built in neoclassic style in 1830. First it was the building of the Calvinist Academy of Law, now it is the home of the Calvinist Secondary Grammar School.
Almost opposite the Old College one can find the complex of the
New College. The complex that reminds
us of a castle and the Transylvanian folk architecture, was built
between 1911-13 according to Valér Mendel's plans. It is
the home of the Calvinist congregation and its library and museum
as well as the Zoltán Kodály Elementary School of Music,
Secondary Grammar School of Music and Secondary School of Music Art, too.
In the beautiful ceremonial hall of the school that has got excellent
acoustics one can enjoy different concerts each week.
The Ornamented Palace on the other side
of the street used to have shops, flats and the Casino in it.
Its appropriate name was given because of its secessionist style
of the beginning of the century that strived at being spectacular
and special. It was built in 1902 according to Géza Márkus'
plans. At present the Kecskemét gallery can be found here.
It is ornamented by the coloured roofs and glazed facade made in the
Zsolnay factory in Pécs.
Opposite the Ornamented Palace, at the corner of Rákóczi
Street we can find the Synagogue that remained without master after
World War Two. The building with the 55 m high Persian dome
was reconstructed according to József Kerényi's plans.
Today it is the
House of Scince and Technics,
the scene of several conferences and other professional programs.
The authentic plaster-casts of Michelangelo's 15 statues can
also be found here.
If we walk on towards Jiókai Street we shall catch sight
of the Piarists' building complex (convent,
school, church).
The teaching order that settled here, built most of the building
complex from the grant offered by the one-time landlord of the town,
count István Koháry in 1715.
The foundation stone of the Piarist church, the most valuable part
of the building complex was laid in 1729.
It was designed by András Mayerhof.
Walking towards the centre of the town one can find the Evangelist church in János Arany Street. It was designed by Miklós Ybl in romantic style in 1861.
Not far from the Evangelist church, in the very centre of the town the orthodox church Holy Trinity can be found. The Greek merchants that settled in Hungary in 18th century, established a company in Kecskemét. They also took good care of their cultural and religious traditions and this church is a remain of their activity. Next to the church there is a museum of icons introducing the history of the Greek people and their religious art.
The highest building of the Great Hungarian Plain, the
Roman Catholic Big Church,
built in style of the age of Loius 16th of France, can be found in
the main square. The 73 m high late Baroque building of the cathedral
was built for 32 years, from 1774 to 1806 according to Gáspár
Oszwald's plans. The furnishings of the church, originating
from the 18th century are especially valuable.
Its pyx originates from 16th century. The present great bell was made
in 1819 and its voice used to be heard in Bugac as well.
Its weight is two and a half tons. The church is often a scene
of different classical concerts.
The centre of Kecskemét, Szabadság Square, Kossuth Square and Széchenyi Square - the main square - is often the scene of cultural events but also an outstanding experience for tourists because it has been closed from transport for decades - and also because - as it can be seen from the above mentioned, most of the sights of the town can be reached on foot.