Kőszeg
Kőszeg is probably the only town in the world where the bells toll at 11 a.m. in celebration of a victory over the Turks, recalling the August of 1532, when - commanded by Captain Miklós Jurisics - Hungarian warriors, defending the Fortress of Kőszeg, withstood for 25 days the attacks of Turkish troops led by Sultan Suleiman, who was marching against Vienna.
The 13th-century fortress with four squat corner turrets (9 Rajnis József utca) emerged in its present shape after the fire of 1777. The largest bastion of the city wall is Öregtorony ('Old Tower') or Zwinger. The Fortress Museum displays the firearms used during the siege of the fortress, Kőszeg's historical memorabilia and 18th-19th-century interiors. Jurisich tér, one of Hungary's most beautiful town centres, is lined with exceptional architectural monuments. The Heroes' Gate, an impressive entrance to the square, was erected to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Turkish siege of Kőszeg; on the right is Lábasház (No 2), and nearly every house surrounding the square is a listed historical building. Memorabilia of guilds and the paraphernalia of local artisans and tradesmen, including watchmakers, butchers, comb-makers, honey-cake makers, locksmiths, barbers, weavers and photographers, are on display in the late-Renaissance Tábornok ('General's') House (numbers 4-6). The Town Hall (No 8) with its dazzling variety of architectural features ranging from 15th-century Gothic to Baroque, has been here for over 500 years. The ornate Sgraffitos House (No 7) is a rarity in Hungary. The Golden Unicorn Pharmacy Museum (number 11) with an upper floor houses the best items from a number of other lavishly furnished pharmacies and a collection of herbs. The Church of St. Imre is a building with a mixture of architectural styles. St. James Church (Jurisich tér) is the town's oldest and finest monument, with a late-Gothic sanctuary and wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, a 15th-century masterpiece. The Heart of Jesus Parish Church (Várkör) is famous for its marvellous glass windows and wonderfully aspiring Gothic pillars.
