Siofok - wonderful lively town on the coast of Lake Balaton. This Hungarian resort has the greatest interest in lovers of beach holidays and young people. But in addition to the turbulent nightlife and multi-kilometer beaches, Siofok offers tourists a good cultural program. The city, literally drowning in greenery, has its own interesting history with which travelers tend to introduce guides during organized overviewrs across alleys and Siofok Parks. As for tourists who prefer independently unhurried promenade, even they can easily discover the most significant man-made and natural monuments, as well as remarkable corners of this resort.
One of the most famous sights of Siofok is Water tower . Despite the fact that it was constructed at the beginning of the last century (1912), the tower is still preserved in perfect condition. Due to its 55-meter altitude, taking into account the flagpole, this unlucky symbol is visible from anywhere in the city. The tower building is directly located on Freedom Square and in height reaches 45 meters. So, coming to the central square, it will be possible to look at the highest building of Siofok, once providing the whole city with water.
Thanks to an elevator running in the tower, tourists can rise to the last tier, where the observation deck is located. In summer, it opens with her an excellent view of the lake, a city and surroundings. In the building of the Tower, there is a small museum, a souvenir shop and an informational and tourist bureau. The inspection of the water tower can be combined with a slight snack in a cafe located on the top tier. Sitting at the tables, visitors can admire the species in the colors of the city parks and at the same time enjoy the appetizing dishes of Hungarian cuisine. You can see this attraction on any day completely free.
In addition to the tower, decoration of the area of freedom is Composition "Birth of Venus" . It is a kind of fountain consisting of three elements of the birth of Venus. Women's figure with a metal sail symbolizes the wind, the second element is the sun under her legs. The third element is water, in small jets flowing into the pool.
The author of this creation is the honorary resident of the city of Imre Varga. His masterpieces are scattered throughout Siofoku. In one of the city gardens, you can find another sculpture called "past days", the rest of the creations are decorated with other streets of the resort.
Water Tower is not the only interesting place in this part of the city. Next to her on the embankment of Imre Salman, 10 is located Museum Minerals . Here you can get acquainted with the exhibits of the largest collection of Minerals of the Carpathian Basin in Hungary.
A huge exhibition occupies five halls of the museum and continues to grow. Some minerals from this collection are very rare and valuable, the remaining samples admire visitors or their size or beauty. You can visit the museum from May to September on any day. This establishment works from 9:00 to 16:00. To inspect the collection you need to purchase a ticket. For adult visitors, it costs 500 Hungarian forints, and for children - 300 forints.
Acquaintance with the city, undoubtedly, should continue the walk on Oulu Park. And this should be done at least in order to see with your own eyes a unique architectural masterpiece - Lutheran church which is recognized as the most beautiful and modern church in all Hungary.
The building of the Church looks somewhat unusual for such a institution. It is mainly made of wood and has four entrances, the main of which is protected by angelic wings. The central tower of the church symbolizes the mythological tree of life from which the cross grows. Going inside the church, over the altar will be able to see the sculpture of the resurrection of Christ, and hear the sounds of a professional organ. In the summer, music contests are held in the Church. But free to inspect this place will not work. The tour of the Lutheran Church passes by appointment and there is such a pleasure of 800 Hungarian forints.
In the center of the city, there is another park with a sonorous name "Millennium" . The planning of this park was engaged in the professor of the Institute of Sadroom Culture, and eventually it turned out an elegant and unusual place. Park, covering an area of 16 thousand square meters, filled with clean air from Lake Balaton and sounds of amazing music Imre Salman. The decoration of this place is a set of bronze sculptures, shady arbors, decorative water bodies and flower beds. In the central part of the park, the musical pavilion appears before tourists, in which you can sit next to the sculpture of Imre Salman. The best time for walking in the park is summer evenings. Romantic lighting and pouring from all sides of the sounds of music enhance the already pleasant impression from Millennium.
No less attention tourists deserves Port of Siopoca From which the urban embankment begins. In a green park in front of the port building, a regular monument is established, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the shipping company on the lake, and the unusual sculpture "Mermaid Lake Balaton". Walking to the Western Pierce, travelers will discover the port of sailing boats and the meteorological station, which first reports about the approaching storm at the entire Balaton region. Here, tourists will get acquainted with the shio gateway, which was built back in 1863 and was the first to regulate the water level in the Hungarian Sea.
Of course, it is impossible to introduce an acquaintance with Siofok without visiting. Memorial Museum Imre Salman . So, the museum located in the family house of the famous composer, keeps the initial environment in which an outstanding Creator lived. Here you can see the piano and original notebook tetradi squid. Museum exhibits have a gypsum cast of the composer itself.
There is a memorial building at the address: Imre Salman embankment, 5. For visitors, this place is open from Tuesday to Sunday. On weekdays, the museum works from 10:00 to 16:00 with a break - from 12:00 to 13:00. On weekends, to inspect the house of the famous composer from 10:00 to 14:00. Tickets to the Museum for adult visitors are 500 Hungarian Forints, the price of a children's ticket is 250 forints.