Esztergom, Historical city capital on the Danube River in northern Hungary
Esztergom is a town on the Danube in northern Hungary, right at the Slovak border. Streets run from the riverside up to a hill, where the basilica and castle ruins shape the skyline.
The town served as the royal seat of the Hungarian kingdom from the 10th century until the mid-13th century. After the Mongol invasions, King Béla IV moved the royal court to Buda.
The name comes from Latin roots and recalls Roman origins, while today pilgrims from many countries visit the religious sites across the town. In March especially, school groups and walkers follow the path to the castle, where the silhouette rises above the water.
Regular train connections and bus routes link the town to Budapest, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) downstream. A pedestrian crossing over the Maria Valeria Bridge leads directly into Štúrovo in Slovakia.
Archaeological finds show people have lived here since the end of the Ice Age about 20,000 years ago. Celtic settlements followed prehistoric groups before Romans and Hungarians arrived.
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