Csongrád ( ro, Ciongrad; tr, Conğrad sr, Чонград, Čongrad, archaically also ''Црноград/Crnograd'') is a town in Csongrád County in southern Hungary.

History

At the time of the Hungarian Conquest (the end of 9th century) the Maros Valley was under Bulgarian control. The fortress was known as Chorniy Grad (Slavic term for 'black castle') and served as a Bulgarian-Slavic guard outpost. Later King Stephen (1000–1038) made the town a state administration center, giving its name to a county. It remained a county seat till the Mongol invasion of Hungary (1240–42). The town and fortress were badly damaged by the Mongols; king Béla IV subsequently transferred the county seat to Szeged in 1247. The move significantly affected Csongrád's recovery. It did not become a town again until 1920.

Main sights

The Main Square obtained its definitive shape in the first half of the 10th century, its streets are wide with many trees. The Main Street is lined by old plane trees. The road running along the grammar school in Secessionist style leads to the old town. This part of the settlement, called Öregvár (meaning Old Castle), preserves the structure of a Hungarian fishing-village of the 18th century. The adobes and houses with puddle wall have thatched roofs, many of them are equipped inside with modern furniture. One building can be seen with original furniture (at Gyökér utca 1). The Tisza has a sand-bank which looks like a seashore. Another attraction of Csongrád is the

backwater Backwater or Backwaters may refer to: Music * ''Backwaters'' (album), a 1982 album by American guitarist Tony Rice * Backwater (band), a jazz fusion band from Mobile, Alabama, or this band's 1976 debut album * "Backwater", a song by Brian Eno fro ...

generated by the river control works (Holt-Tisza), which houses several water-birds. In the wood strip on the left bank of the Tisza are the uncovered ruins of a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century.

Tourism

The greatest attraction in Csongrád is the Tisza river bank. The river has a sandy beach and during summer hundreds of people come to bathe in the water. Csongrád has spas and some swimming pools as well, both indoor and outdoor. Csongrád's museums include: * Csongrád's traditional style house * László Tari Museum * István Széchenyi Elementary School's collection of the region * Gallery of Csongrád * Művésztelep (Artists' park) The permanent exhibition of the museum located in the center of the city awaits the visitors by presenting a material of town history. Less than hundred meters away from here the City Gallery can be found, where from time to time periodical exhibition of the Gallery the aquarelles of the painter-artist of Csongrád, János Piroska representing the brilliant technique of color-runout as light as air are shown. There are several churches in Csongrád: * The Nagyboldogasszony (Holy Virgin) Church - situated in the main town square and built between 1762–69 * Saint Rókus-church * Piroskavárosi Saint Joseph Church Franciscan Abbey There are two main festivals in the summer time: * Csongrád Wine Festival, which is usually last for 3–4 days * Körös-Toroki DaysKörös-Torok
/ref> which lasts for a week

Notable people

* Miloš Crnjanski, Serbian writer * Geca Kon, Serbian publisher * Pál Maléter, military leader * Károly Csemegi, judge

Twin towns – sister cities

Csongrád is

twinned Twinning (making a twin of) may refer to: * In biology and agriculture, producing two offspring (i.e., twins) at a time, or having a tendency to do so; * Twin towns and sister cities, towns and cities involved in town twinning * Twinning inst ...

with: * Bečej, Serbia * Bełchatów, Poland * Breuilaufa, France * Le Buis, France * Chamboret, France *

Chaptelat Chaptelat (; ) is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in western France. See also *Communes of the Haute-Vienne department The following is a list of the 195 communes of the Haute-Vienne department of Fr ...

, France * Nantiat, France *

Nieul Nieul (; oc, Nuèlh) is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in west-central France. Inhabitants are known as ''Nieulois'' in French. Communication At Nieul, there was a medium wave broadcasting station, w ...

, France * Raisio, Finland *

Saint-Jouvent Saint-Jouvent (; oc, Sent Jauvenç) is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in west-central France. See also *Communes of the Haute-Vienne department The following is a list of the 195 communes of the Hau ...

, France * Thouron, France *

Vaulry Vaulry (; oc, Vauric) is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in west-central France. Inhabitants are known as ''Vaurinaux''. See also * Communes of the Haute-Vienne department The following is a list of ...

, France Csongrád also cooperates with Berehove, Ukraine.

Gallery

Pontonbridge csongrad.jpg, Pontoon bridge between Csongrád and Csépa Csongrad city limit sign rovas script.jpg, Rovas city limit sign near the pontoon bridge, featuring Hungarian runes Sandbank Csongrad.JPG, Sandbank of the Tisza river near Csongrád

History

Main sights

Tourism

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities

Gallery

References

Further reading

External links