Reök Palace — Attraction in Szegedi járás

Reök Palace is definitely a place worth seeing while wandering around Szeged. Designed by architect Ede Magyar—often referred to as the “Hungarian Gaudí”—the building is one of the city’s most striking landmarks.

If you are tempted to step inside, keep in mind that the palace has been renovated several times, and today only the staircase reflects its former glory. There is no historical information provided inside about the building, its architect, or the Reök family who once lived there. Even the Green Salon is simply a closed room that must be specially requested to view. At present, the palace functions solely as an art exhibition space.

For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend paying the entrance fee unless you are particularly interested in the current exhibitions.

Historical information, however, can easily be found elsewhere. Built between 1906 and 1907, Reök Palace is an outstanding example of Hungarian Art Nouveau (Jugendstil), designed by Ede Magyar. Its façade, decorated with blue water lilies, flowing curves, and aquatic-inspired motifs, reflects the profession of its commissioner, water engineer Iván Reök.

Originally, the upper interior wall zones were decorated with frescoes of mermaids and water nymphs, continuing the aquatic theme. Legend has it that the conservative ladies of the family later had these images scraped off—a charming anecdote that illustrates how tastes (and modesty) can shift even within one household.

Ede Magyar (1877–1912) had a tragically short career, with only about eight years of creative work. He studied in Budapest, traveled throughout Europe, and carried out much of his architectural career in Szeged. Completed in 1907, Reök Palace is his best-known masterpiece, but he also designed the Unger–Mayer House and, in collaboration with Aladár Árkay and József Stahl, the theatre in Kaposvár. Sadly, Magyar’s life ended prematurely in 1912.

Iván Reök, the patron of the palace, was a hydraulic engineer, wealthy landowner, and member of parliament. His profession directly inspired the palace’s water-themed iconography. Reök was related to the renowned painter Mihály Munkácsy (variously described in Hungarian sources as either a cousin or nephew), which highlights the family’s cultural prominence. The horse-head ornaments above the entrance reflect his passion for horse breeding, while the building’s floor plan, with its distinct apartments, accommodated a large, multi-generational...

The building was built in 1907 by the architect Ede Magyar, who was 30 years old at the time, and is an exemplary piece of Hungarian Secession, the main motif of the building is water, represented by the blue water lilies that decorate the snow-white facade, the balcony railings that evoke swirling aquatic plants and the animated variety of different wall surfaces that resemble waves. Originally built as a residential building, since 2007 it houses the Regional Arts Center, and on the ground floor...

I don’t usually give five stars to a place unless I am fully satisfied. Of all the desserts available the one I selected was not tasty to me but am sure others would love it. They have a vast selection of other cakes that you can pick from. It’s beautifully located and it’s in a building that has a little bit of history if you’re curious to look into it. Definitely and most definitely...