Today I'm going to show you the old city center of Sopron, Hungary. Read the first part of my blog here -> Sopron - Part 2 - The City, Part I.
Mária oszlop or Maryás column, featuring Saint Mary. This amazing column was designed by Andreas Altomonte and made by theViennese sculptor Jakob Schletterer, in collaboration with Tobias Hauch and Lőrinc Eisenkölbl both from Sopron, in 1745. This is the place where The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary stood a long time ago, then it was used as a pillory place. Ridiculing people was a way of punishment used during medieval times.
A modern fountain in the city center that is not only looking good and it's fun but it's also very useful.
In hot summer days a fountain like this can be a blessing for everyone. Not to mention how refreshing it is to enjoy the water jets.
This is a post office, a pretty old one that at the moment of my visit was closed, unfortunately. The whole building is old, the statuette on the facade is testifying that.
Even though the stores are modern, the outside is old, kept as it was years ago.
Hoffer confectionery, where you can have a yummy ice cream. Too bad one can't taste all the good food the city has to offer. It's basically impossible unless you stay for a longer period.
Almárium, kézműves termékek és magyar ízek boltja. Almarium, handicraft and Hungarian flavors shop. Almárium is an old Hungarian word that is rarely in use these days but it looks like this shop has kept it. It means a cabinet with shelves. This shop is a beauty, too bad it was Sunday evening and it was closed.
Looks like a gift shop with a lot of wonderful products.
This is the most interesting shop window I've seen in Sopron. Those hand painted plates are decorated with typical Hungarian motifs. These motifs were used on embroideries. The other specific product is the "Paprika", which is red pepper powder which Hungary is famous about. Wooden spoons with different motifs. On the left side you can see a cupboard with shelves, that's the "Almárium" the name of the shop refers to. I can also see some spices and a bunch of magnets. Next time I'm in Sopron, this shop will be a must although I already know the prices are "high", meaning for tourists.
This is another place that means history. Herendi Porcelán, in English porcelain made by Herend. Herend Porcelain Manufactory founded in 1826 specializes in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain. The products are famous worldwide.
In the mid-19th century it was purveyor to the Habsburg Dynasty and aristocratic customers throughout Europe. Many of its classic patterns are still in production.
Herend displayed its designs at the First Hungarian Applied Art Exhibition, the Vienna Exhibition in 1845, the Great Exhibition in London, 1851, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York, 1853 and the Exposition Universelle in Paris, 1855. The styles became popular, and orders were received on behalf of several royal courts: Queen Victoria, Francis Joseph I of Austria, Maximillian, the Mexican emperor. source
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have bought anything here but would have been nice to see what they are making these days.
A few pieces from the window. A couple of prices just to give you an idea about the level of quality they are offering. The green plate on the right corner costs around 56 euros. That little shoe costs around 84 euros, and the big plate on the left around 171. These are real artworks, not for everyday use.
Different ornament, kind of exclusive for a certain category. The vase on the right is sold for 591 euros, for the jaguar on the left you need to pay 1500 euros. If you need to buy an elegant gift for someone who has everything, this may be the place for you.
Pannonia Hotel, a 4* hotel for you if you need luxury.
Pannonia was a province of the Roman Empire bounded on the north and east by the Danube, coterminous westward with Noricum and upper Italy, and southward with Dalmatia and upper Moesia. Pannonia was located in the territory of present-day western Hungary, eastern Austria, northern Croatia, north-western Serbia, northern Slovenia and northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. source
You can bump into this word in Hungary all the time. There's a train called Pannon express, there was a cigarette brand called Pannonia, there's a Pannonia Tower in Austria, there's Pannonhalma Archabbey, Pannonia Radio station and so on. So better get used to it if you're planning to visit Hungary.
Looks like I need to do another post or two as there are to many photos and information I need to share with you and I can't squeeze all in one post, so stay tuned for the next episode. it's going to be interesting, I promise.
Read my other blogs about Sopron: