Stop 5 · Gossip Walk
Klauzál
Klauzál tér · Kárász House, Kossuth statue
From this balcony Kossuth spoke to Hungarians for the last time.
One of the finest houses on the square is the neoclassical Kárász House from 1845. Benjamin Kárász had it built in place of the old family mansion, and in 1848–49 he was government commissioner of the southern region.
In 1849 Lajos Kossuth stayed with him, and gave his last speech on Hungarian soil from the balcony of this house.
In the middle of the square stands Kossuth's full-length bronze statue by József Róna. The pedestal quotes his October 1848 speech in Szeged.
Old gossip about the Kárász family: Miklós Kárász loved his sow so much that when she disappeared he beat the swineherd to death in his rage. The next day the sow turned up with nine piglets; she had only hidden to give birth. Legend says he had the Holy Trinity statue erected in front of the house as penance, roughly where the Kígyó pharmacy stands today.
In 1857 Emperor Franz Joseph and Sisi stayed in the Kárász House, as the town had no inn worthy of them. Legend says the family's young heir, Master Géza, came home drunk at night, found the sleeping emperor in his own room and started shouting. His father and the servants tied him up and he spent the night in the shed. He later squandered the family fortune and died in the poorhouse in 1905.
Open in the app →Animated scene, old photos, stamps and the full map. Free, nothing to install.Facts and labels
- TrueThe Kárász House was built in 1845 in neoclassical style.
- TrueKossuth gave his last speech in Hungary from the balcony of the Kárász House in 1849.
- TrueThe renovation of Kárász utca and Klauzál tér won a Europa Nostra award in 2004.
- AllegedlyThe sow legend and Master Géza's night: told by a Szeged tour guide, published by the local paper.
People say
According to family tradition, the Lengyel-ház at 8 Klauzál Square was designed by the famous Viennese firm Fellner & Helmer, thanks to friendly connections.
What we know: Their names do not appear on the plans, and no drawing of the facade is known.
Where it was said: Széchenyi tér és környéke (irodalmiradio.hu szegedi irodalmi séta)