Szolnok, 100km (62mi.) southeast from Budapest on the confluence of the Zagyva and the Tisza, is the most important center for transport and communication in the Great Plain (with a river port). The frequent devastation of the town means that little of historical interest remains, except for handsome 19th C streets in the inner town. The town is mainly industrial (railroad carriages, sugar, paper and shoe factories, chemicals). Szolnok is also a spa town.
The history of the town has for centuries been determined by its situation at a strategic crossing point on the Tisza - altogether it has been destroyed 17 times.
King Stephan built a castle here in 1075. In 1552 the Turks conquered the castle; for 130 years Szolnok was a "Sandschak", a Turkish administrative and military center. The first pile bridge was built over the Tisza in 1562. From 1706 the castle was the headquarters of the freedom fighter, Rákóczi (see Famous People), in 1709, along with so many others, it was taken by Imperial troops and blown up. In 1847 the economy was considerably boosted by the opening of the Pest-Szolnok railroad and the regulation of the Tisza. As it was still of strategic importance 35per cent of all houses, half of the industrial sites and numerous bridges were destroyed in the Second World War. Since the end of the war industry has undergone recovery and expansion.
The Baroque Franciscan church not far from the Szolnok Art Gallery was built in 1724-57 and is the most important historical monument in Szolnok; the architect was the Italian Carlone, who designed other buildings in Eger. In the main altarpiece the disciples are wearing 18th C Hungarian costume. Unfortunately the church is only open during services. The convent (1723-51) and the church form a closed square.
To commemorate the 900th anniversary of the town in 1975 the New Station (Új pályaudvar) was opened and the Jubilee Monument unveiled. The reliefs by the sculptor Ferenc Gyurcsek and the architect Miklós Kempis depict the most important events in the town's history.
The former synagogue (west of the thermal baths), built in 1899 by Leopold Baumhorn, houses the picture gallery of the Damjanich Museum. It shows works from the Szolnok artists' colony since its earliest beginnings.
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