Szombathely

Szombathely is a city in western Hungary, the county seat of Vas, in the Western Transdanubia region. It lies near the Austrian border and is the largest urban center in Vas County. The city has a long history dating back to antiquity; in Roman times it was known as Savaria, a notable town in the province of Pannonia. Archaeological remains and artifacts from Savaria are housed in the Savaria Museum, and the surrounding area includes Roman-era ruins such as an amphitheatre.

During the medieval period, the town developed as a market center and religious site, later growing into a regional administrative and cultural hub. The name Szombathely means “Saturday town” in Hungarian, referring to historic market days that were held on Saturdays. Today Szombathely is the largest city in Vas County and serves as an administrative, educational, cultural, and economic center for western Hungary.

Notable attractions include the Savaria Museum and the Kámoni Arboretum, a major botanic collection outside the city. With a population around 75,000, Szombathely is connected by road and rail to other Hungarian towns and to Austria, supporting cross-border trade and tourism. The city hosts a range of cultural institutions, events, and educational facilities that contribute to its role as a regional hub in western Hungary.