Recall a time when the Danube was the eastern edge of the Roman Empire. That is where the story of Szentendre begins. Today, Szentendre is a charming town on the Danube Bend. It is not far from Budapest. Szentendre has drawn visitors for years with its baroque architecture and winding alleyways.
Szentendre started as a Roman fort. After centuries of Hun and Germanic settlements, the Magyars captured it in the 9th century. They transformed the old Roman watchtower into a fortress. Prince Taksony later gifted the area to a general. It became a summer retreat. Szentendre got its name from the church atop the manor house hill.
Turkish rule arrived in Buda in 1541. Szentendre was destroyed, liberated only in 1684. Before this, Balkan settlers including Bulgarians and Dalmatians had arrived. In 1690, about six thousand Serbs fled to Szentendre. Their influence is still visible in the architecture. The town became a blend of Greek, Romanian, and Serbian cultures.
The churches of Szentendre show its history. Each community built its own house of worship. The oldest one is dedicated to Saint Andrew. Today, it is the Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist. The Belgrade Cathedral was started in 1521. Serbs fleeing the Turks sought refuge here.
Szentendre became prosperous. Its merchants thrived due to rich soils and river transport. Wine production excelled. The Serbian Trade Guild formed in 1698. It lasted for 150 years. The Guild erected the Memorial Cross in the main square. They were grateful the plague spared the town.
Disasters still struck Szentendre. The flood of 1838 was catastrophic. Phylloxera devastated wine production in 1882. Many Serbians returned home. Slovaks and Germans replaced them. The Serbian legacy remains palpable.
The location of Szentendre drew artists from Budapest. An artist colony formed here in the 1920s. Szentendre has been known for its art since. The Szentendre Artist Colony was established in 1929. The city remains a cultural hub. Many galleries and museums testify to this.
Szentendre offers a peaceful life. Museums, galleries, and local markets serve the community. Charming restaurants and cafes line the Danube. Szentendre provides a unique experience near Budapest. The city reflects many faces. Each face represents the artists living and working here.