The Beauty Of Hungary.

On our doorstep.

Sadly we only really get to discover the real treasures around us when family or friends come to visit. Within a half an hour we can be in another world. In fact, even century. Köszeg was our destination yesterday.

How cosmopolitan it sounds when a lunch in Hungary is on the cards. In my mind it seems miles away but we had lunch and walk through the town's square and where home three hours later.

The true tourist season is over and we could meander about without bumping into myopic smartphone holders. The center of Köszeg has character and charm because it hasn't been perfected. Walls have cracks, paint is chipped and it is much better than any botox'ed city readied for tourists.

There was one square set around an old church ( aren't the best places usually? ) that was breathtaking in its originality. No modern windows, no modern architecture and no modern street. Cobble stones patterned the street, double windows with a space in between for either cat or cactus look out onto the square and emblems with dates stemming from the early eighteenth century gave me pause and let my mind ponder upon the lives had and hopefully enjoyed.

Taking photos would have been besides the point as these marvels need to be absorbed first hand. Is there anything nicer than to imagine lives lived in historic buildings?

In a world where newer, better and shinier are the norm it is far from easy to find authentic and old buildings but so far all of the towns centers I've had the fortune to walk through in Hungary are still untouched by the need to impress with bling bling...

Biggi