Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)

Tartalom

SIGHTSEEING

Dózsa György Road, the Main Road of Kisvác

The only Triumphal Arch in Hungary, locally known as the Stone Gate, was built on the borderline between Kisvác serf-village and Nagyvác (Bishop's Vác). It is an emblematic construction, the silhouette of which appears in several places in the town. It was erected in honour of Maria Theresa's visit to the town in August 1764: having stepped ashore from their splendid ships, members of the royal family was received here with great pageantry. The queen had just arrived from the parliament in Pozsony bringing her host, Bishop Kristóf Migazzi, the deed of his naturalization. This event and a wedding in the bishop's family were timed to coincide with the Queen's visit.

The preparations for the royal visit, which was due in the summer, started in the spring including the design and construction of the Triumphal Arch in the Empire style. The foundations were laid in March by the plans of the Viennese architect Isidore Canevale. It was built of stone and brick. It is 20 metres high, 12 metres wide, 4 metres deep and the ceiling of the arch is 10 metres high.

The ornaments relate to the imperial family: bas-reliefs represent the family members, while the gilded inscription Aeternae Domui (To the eternal house) facing south pays tribute to the ruling Habsburg Family. The eagles holding a garland under the cornice must have been chosen because of the imperial eagle in the coat of arms of the family. The double half-length portraits of the Archdukes Ferdinand and Maximilian are on the right side of the inscription, while those of

Soltész mill, one of the last watermills on the Danube