Kőszeg: Hungary's 'Jewel Box' Photo Gallery by Helen Betts at pbase.com

Kőszeg: Hungary's 'Jewel Box'

Kőszeg is said to have one of the most charming city centers in all of Hungary, and indeed it didn't disappoint. In fact, the entire town, sitting on the Austrian border, was quite picturesque. Definitely a place to return to when we have more than just an hour and a half left of sunlight!

According to "The Rough Guide to Hungary": "Nestled amidst the sub-Alpine hills along the Austrian border, the small town of Kőszeg, 18km north of Szombathely, cherishes its status as the "Hungarian Thermopylae," and a town centre which can justifiably claim to be be of the prettiest in Hungary."

"Lonely Planet Hungary" says: "[After passing through Heroes Gate] [w]hat opens up before you is a treasure-trove of colourful Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings that together make up one of the most delightful squares in Hungary."

"Eyewitness Travel Hungary" has this to say: "Nestled in lowland hills just minutes from the Austrian border, modern-day Kőszeg is a small, quiet town, whose citizens are proud of its past. ... Spared during World War II, Kőszeg is the most attractive town in the region."

View from Heroes Tower	Miklós Jurisics tér	Town Hall (1487)	Town Hall detail
St. Imre's Church (1640)	St. Imre's Church	St. Imre's Church	Elegant door on Miklós Jurisics tér
Posta Múzeum on Miklós Jurisics tér	Original exposure on Miklós Jurisics tér	Sgrafitto House, Miklós Jurisics tér (16th century)	Striking row on Miklós Jurisics tér
Heroes Tower in Miklós Jurisics tér	Heroes Tower detail	Street-side shrine to Szent János	New Year's toys on Fő tér
Merrymakers on Fő tér	Hearts and crosses on Fő tér	Sacred Heart Church	A glimpse at interior through iron gate
Almost the same, but not quite	A bit of the front of the church	Detail	Return to Kőszeg: Sacred Heart Church
Return to Kőszeg: Sacred Heart Church	Sacred Heart Church	Sacred Heart Church	Column, Sacred Heart Church
Jurisics Castle	Jurisics Castle	1670, at Jurisics Castle	Castle fortifications
Abandoned synagogue	Abandoned synagogue, detail	Primary school	Primary school
Lutheran bell tower	House on the corner	Side street	Shop row
Vas Udvar	Ostrich house	A most unusual decoration	Gracious retail
Post Office, detail	Post Office	In need of repair	Imaginary renovation
The unusual houses of Kőszeg	The unusual houses of Kőszeg	The unusual houses of Kőszeg	The unusual houses of Kőszeg
Elaborate entry	Blend of new and old	Miklós Jurisics tér fountain	Return to Kőszeg: View from Heroes Tower
'Arcade House,' Miklós Jurisics tér	General's House, Miklós Jurisics tér	Golden Unicorn Pharmaceutical Museum, Miklós Jurisics tér	A most unique window, Miklós Jurisics tér
Madonna column, Miklós Jurisics tér	Exposing the original, Miklós Jurisics tér	Elegance on Miklós Jurisics tér	Heroes Tower detail
Return to Jurisics Castle	Castle tower	Castle walls	Novel use of city walls
Detail on Fő tér	Detail on Fő tér	Charming Fő tér group	The very odd shaped yellow house
Which half would you want to own?	Home sweet home	Making the best use of space	Out of the ordinary for Kőszeg
Sweet sweet shop	Striking paint job	Charming restaurant with a bizarre roof	Lovely old corner house, if a bit worse for wear
Two old homes with black cat	Fortified looking home	Cozy cottage in need of TLC	1815
Very blue restaurant on the corner	Yellow house with menorah	A real corner building	A bookstore with character
Window dressing	Church of St. James, what I could see of it	Church of St. James, only other exposed part	Sacred Heart Church, towering over the town