This small medieval town near the Austrian border has a 13th-century castle, well-preserved Gothic and Baroque buildings, and ancient wine cellars beneath its streets.
Kőszeg sits in western Hungary near the Austrian border. Walk through its medieval town center to see the Gothic Sacred Heart church, climb the 57-meter Heroes' Tower, or visit one of two historical pharmacist museums. The 14th-century Jurisics Castle tells the story of a successful defense against Ottoman forces, while hiking paths lead to the Írott-kő viewpoint at 882 meters above sea level.
Exploring Fő tér (Main Square)
The Gothic revival Sacred Heart church rises above Fő tér with its 57-meter tower and round stained-glass rose windows. Local cafés and restaurants fill the square's edges, where you can watch daily town life unfold. In the center stands the Holy Trinity statue from 1713, which locals call the "Plague Statue". Medieval buildings line the square, many still showing their original stone carvings and painted decorations.
Discovering Jurisics Square
Jurisics Square was once the town's marketplace. The 14th-century town hall continues to serve its original purpose, with its distinctive yellow and red-striped walls. Around the square, you'll see the Gothic St. James' church, Saint Emeric's church, and the Sgrafitto House covered in detailed geometric patterns. The Heroes' Tower, built in 1932, contains the Town Museum and hosts concerts during festivals.
Inside the Pharmacist Museums
Step into the Golden Unicorn Pharmacist's Museum to see an 18th-century pharmacy interior with its original wooden furnishings from 1735-1744. The collection includes medical instruments and pharmaceutical items from the 17th to 19th centuries. A second museum, the Black Saracen, makes Kőszeg unique as the only town in Hungary with two pharmacy museums. Both museums display tools, medicines, and documents showing how pharmacists worked centuries ago.
Exploring Jurisics Castle
Walk through the 14th-century castle's double ring of walls to find a late Gothic early Renaissance hallway with stone-carved details. The castle museum tells the story of the 1532 siege when 1,000 defenders held off an Ottoman army of 60,000 troops. You can attend concerts and plays in the great hall, and see exhibitions about medieval daily life in the castle's rooms.
Natural Surroundings and Viewpoints
Climb the Írott-kő lookout tower at 882 meters, standing on the Hungarian-Austrian border. Built in 1913 and restored in 2010, the tower marks the highest point in western Hungary and Austria's Burgenland region. Walk to the Seven Springs (Hétforrás) from 1896, where seven water spouts named after Hungarian chieftains flow continuously. Follow marked hiking trails through the forest to reach these springs near the Austrian border.
Seasonal Events
Watch theater performances at the Kőszeg Castle Theatre during summer months. Join the autumn Kőszeg Harvest Festival to taste local wines and see traditional grape processing. Browse through handmade crafts and local products at the Orsolya's Day Fair. In August, watch historical reenactments of the 1532 Turkish siege during the Castle Days festival.
