#297/365 645th this year

Kecskemét was first mentioned in a document in 1368; so to mark the 600th anniversary , sculptor  Viktor Kalló was commissioned and this sculpture was erected in 1968. No title of this sculpture could be found...

#51/365 Spring is in the air

Statue of Lajos Kossuth stand looking at the town hall. Who is he? Let me extract from wiki :-

He was widely honored during his lifetime, including in the UK and the US as a freedom fighter and bellwether of democracy in Europe.

This statue was in commemoration of the recruiting speech he had give in our town on September 25th, 1848 as the leader of the Hungarian War of Independence.

We found this quote from Brainy Quote :-

The time draws near, when a radical change must take place for the whole world in the management of diplomacy. - Lajos Kossuth

#44/365 650 years

Kecskemét has been ranked town status for six and a half centuries. It was first owned by the Queen and later became a market-town. With this status, the town enjoys development free from the old feudal system.

#15/365 Luther Palace

Continuing from yesterday's post , let's take a closer look at the wood carvings I admire so much. Gorgeous isn't it? I do wished the satellite dish is not there..ha.
Judging by the appearance of things, I am guessing the building is being used as residential purposes rather than commercial ; although the ground floor is owned or rented by businesses.

Architect, Valér Mende was commissioned for this building between 1910 and 1912. He was said to belong to a group : "The Youth" representing a more up-to-date trend of Art Nouveau.

#11/365 Past and Present

The former synagogue is standing tall still; but it was a different story on July 8th 1911, when an earthquake shaken the town where many buildings suffered damages. 

Historical costume weekend ~ The 20th century

Every weekend, the main square has been a buzz with live exhibition of historical costumes. We have come to the 20th century, war period. This is by far my favourite, the costumes not the period in history, of course.

Celebration of St. Michael's day

 Yesterday I saw these two float-like decoration at the main square, in celebration of St. Michaels' day.

I really like the Holly Crown of Hungary from this angle :) 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Crown_of_Hungary

 Next to the Holy Crown is this fun work of art, made of straws (?)

 Lots of goats** of course!

While the human figures are well made, you see those red patterns at the bottom. Those are traditional Hungarian motifs - I love it!

 

This man is showing a demo. with whips.When he flicks the whip, a sound came off.

 

Quite impressive!  

** read the description of this blog.

Unexpected

Thanks to May / June wedding season, we chanced upon this Roman Catholic church (located at town square) was wide open before a wedding ceremony. I think there are certain hours that allow tourists into this church. Since we haven't had the opportunity to do so yet, it was really a lovely surprise!

Background
The painitng seen in the church span several centuries. The painitng of the high altar was painted by Ferenc József Falkoner in 1793. The frescos of the arches were made my Ignác Roskovics between 1900 and 1903.
source : ISBN : 963 7813 75 6

The first Piarist friars

The first Piarist friars arrived at the town in 1714....

Reading the town's guide, I learnt that this secondary grammar school has been operating for almost 3 centuries! The school was built next to the monastery between the two world wars following the plans of the professor of the Technical university, Dezso Hüthl. It is of Baroque style from outside. I have to find a chance to go inside to see how it is on the inside!

source : book ISBN 963 7813 75 6