Kecskemet’s Main Square received its first form under Mayor Peter Lestar, in 1894. Between 1910 and 1914, under Mayor Kada Elek's leadership, it received an architectural face-lift, with the New Calvinist Dormitory (now functioning as a Calvinist Primary and High School) and the Luther Palace being built, based on Valer Mende's plans. It was in this same period that the National Bank was built, in eclectic style. The building next to the Bank was the first multi-story house built in the city, and back then people thought that there wouldn’t be a soul who would want to move that high up.


It is common to think of Kecskemet’s Main Square as Kossuth Square. However, it is actually not just one square, but a complex made up of Seven squares with a monument standing: Liberty- (Szabadsag), Szechenyi-, Kossuth-, Calvin-, Jozsef Katona-, Lestar- and the Piarists’ Square, plus the connecting streets. The whole area gained monument standing in 1991, and the pavement of the complex was renovated in 2002, under Mayor Gabor Szecsy.








The Main Square is a green island of serenity in downtown Kecskemet. Locals and tourists alike enjoy sitting on the benches, watching the kids at play, the teenagers showing off their bicycle and skateboard skills, or just enjoying the sunshine and waiting for the 37, famous bells of the Mayor’s Hall to start playing. The repertoire of tunes played on the bells includes Zoltan Kodaly’s “Hary Suite” as well as music by Ferenc Erkel and Beethoven. One song that will surely be played every hour on the hour (or just a bit after it) is the melody recalling the memory of the Kecskemet citizens who enrolled in Kossuth’s army: “Kecskemet is kiallitja nyalka verbunkjat…”.


The corner building just across the Main Church (far left on this picture) is called “The House of the Lords”. It was constructed in 1969, and people dubbed it with this name, because it was only those in a leadership position who were able to obtain an apartment in it. Summer visitors will be able to identify it right away from the line that forms in front of the McDonalds ice-cream window. :-)


…Watch out for the sparrows though, if you buy some fries and consider eating them at the tables in front of the place: the birds will come and sit on the back of your chair, and snatch the fries right out of your hand, if you are not paying attention.
…Ooo, a Hitchcock moment. :-)


Jokes aside though, if you enjoy a combination of the old and the new, the buzz and the solitude, Kecskemet Main Square is The Place to go to. Throughout the summer, you will be able to enjoy fairs, festivals, concerts, and other events here. …Or you can follow them through our Webcam, as a second-best option. :)