Stop 12 · Gossip Walk
Dóm
Dóm tér · Votive Church, Dömötör Tower
A vow made in a flood became one of the country's most famous stages.
On 12 March 1879 the Tisza almost completely destroyed Szeged. The Votive Church was built to fulfil the vow the city made after the flood.
In front of it stands the 13th-century Dömötör Tower, one of the oldest structures in town. All around runs the red-brick arcade with statues of more than 120 historical figures.
Every summer the square becomes a stage: the Szeged Open-Air Festival has been held here since 1931.
Opposite the church's main entrance, up high, is the musical clock. Every day at 12:15 and 17:45 its doors open and, to the tune of “Ballag már a vén diák” (the Hungarian graduation song), a graduation procession files past: the university council and the graduating students. The clock was designed by watchmaker Ferenc Csúry, the lime-wood figures were carved by József Kulai, and its tunes were first heard in 1936. It stays silent during the Open-Air Festival.
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- TrueThe Open-Air Festival has been held on Dóm tér since 1931.
- TrueThe Dömötör Tower survives from the 13th century.
- AllegedlyDóm tér is as big as St Mark's Square in Venice. So they say. We haven't checked with a tape measure.
- TrueMusical clock: every day at 12:15 and 17:45; the figures have been parading since 1936.
People say
They say that in Szeged even the Virgin Mary wears slippers: on the ceiling of the Dóm's sanctuary, the Szűrös Madonna is shown in red Szeged slippers.
What we know: This is true: an exhibition about the painting also opened at the Dóm Visitor Center. According to the parish priest, this was how the people of Szeged expressed their respect.
Where it was said: Szegeden Szűz Mária is papucsban jár (Magyar Kurír)