This weekend: Savaria Historical Carnival expected to attract record number of visitors

(MTI) – The organisers are expecting crowds exceeding even last year’s 170,000 visitors at the 17^th Savaria Historical Carnival, Central Europe’s biggest historical festival this weekend. More than 250 programmes await visitors at 23 locations between August 25 and 28.  

The central figure of the carnival is St. Martin of Tours, the most famous person born in the city: his life will be recalled at many locations, in many styles, for every generation, and so will be the customs, attire, music, and even games of his era.

The main attraction of the carnival is undoubtedly the torchlight procession on Friday and Saturday evening, which will feature people in the costumes of different historical eras, flag-bearers, and groups in traditional military uniforms. The procession will also include two beautiful, horse-drawn Roman carriages, one of which will be occupied by the guests of honour, Prince Antal Esterházy and his wife Svetlana.

[learn_more caption=”Where does the name Savaria come from?”] Savaria is the Latin name for Szombathely, the oldest recorded city in Hungary. It was founded by the Romans in 45 AD under the name of Colonia Claudia Savariensum. The name Savaria comes from ‘Sibaris’, the Latin name for the stream Gyöngyös, which flows through the city. (Wikipedia)[/learn_more]