Hungary > Koszeg

Koszeg

In this, the loveliest small town in Pannonia, you cannot find a straight road, for the layout of streets has not changed since medieval times. The colourful Baroque and Classicist residential buildings of the 17th and 18th centuries were built along the streets of the old medieval town. Eurone learnt the name of Miklos Jurisics, the captain of the castle (more of a mansion than a fortress) in the historical centre, in 1532 when, in command of small forces, he stopped the Turkish army on its way to Vienna. The Turks left the city walls at 11 o'clock, and ever since bells are rung in Koszeg at eleven to commemorate the Hungarian victory. Not only is the town famous, but so are its vineyards and wines. The owners of the vineyards of Koszeg-Hegyalja follow the uniquely local custom of parading into town in spring to make a ceremonial presentation of the new 'ne shoots. After this, they register the shoots in what is -known as the ok of Arrival of the Vines", which has been kept since 1740. The book is rity in European cultural history.