Szentendre Postcard

Szentendre is a picturesque small town on the West bank of the Danube river. It's 20 kms North from Budapest. Szentendre was part of the defence system of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century. It was named Ulcisia Castra (Wolf Castle). The Roman settlement was later abandoned. In the Middle Ages, Szentendre was a little village. It was named after the patron of the fortified Catholic church. During the Turkish Wars many Southern Slaves (mostly Serbs and Croats) found refuge here. The small town became the see of the Buda Eparchy of the Serb Orthodox Church. Many emigrants arrived in the last centuries of the war in the 18th century. Some of them were Dalmatians. They spoke the "Raguzar" or "Veglioi". Because of this, Szentendre has a Mediterranean athmosphere. Part of the population is dedicated to the viticulture, but the Serbs were mostly craftsmen and merchants. From the early 20 century Szentendre became the home of many artists. Today there are several museums and galleries. It's a popular tourist destination.