Szeged

Szeged (se'ged) [key], city (1991 est. pop. 176,100), S Hungary, at the confluence of the Tisza and Maros rivers. It is a river port, a railroad hub, and an agricultural center. Famous for its paprika and salami, its chief products are chemicals, glass, and textiles. It is well-known for its outdoor concerts held each summer. Szeged is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishopric. It has a university (founded 1921), a medical school, and a large library. The first national assembly of the Magyar tribes under their chief, Arpad, met (9th or 10th cent.) in the city, which became a military stronghold and trade center of the Arpad kings. Szeged was sacked by the Tatars and the Turks and was ruled by the latter from 1542 to 1686. The city was partly destroyed by a flood in 1879 and was rebuilt in modern style. Among its landmarks are a 13th-century Romanesque tower and the 16th-century Mathias church.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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