Vac

About

Likely founded by Romans, the entire population was slaughtered during the Mongol invasion in 1241, and rebuilt by German colonists afterwards. The Turks destroyed the town in 1686, and it was ravaged by the plague in 1776. This cycle of destruction has left Vác with a unique mixture of monuments and architectural quirks. Many homes still have their original 13th century cellars, and the baroque city hall was built its old medieval foundation. The massive 18th century cathedral was styled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, while the episcopal palace houses a museum of Roman and medieval artifacts. Interestingly, the 18th century L’Arc de Triomphe, was made to welcome the new empress, Maria Theresa, but she entered the town from a different direction and never saw it. At the Tragor Ignac Museum 200 year old mummies in colorful, hand-painted coffins, are on display after being found in a hidden chamber.