fogadó

Fogadó is a Hungarian term for an inn or guesthouse—an establishment that provides lodging, meals, and related services to travelers and visitors. Historically, fogadók were waypoints along travel routes, where passengers could rest, hire horses, eat, and resupply. The word stems from the verb fogadni, meaning to receive or welcome, with fogadó functioning as an agent noun denoting a host or the place that receives guests.

Architecturally and functionally, a fogadó typically included guest rooms, a common dining or assembly hall, a kitchen, and often stables for horses. In medieval and early modern Hungary, fogadók were integral to postal and trade networks, frequently owned by nobles or merchants who offered hospitality to travelers, merchants, and couriers. They served not only as lodging but also as social and commercial hubs where information and goods changed hands.

In contemporary usage, fogadó still denotes a small hotel or family-run guesthouse, especially in rural areas or for traditional branding. It is often perceived as more rustic or historic compared with szálló (hotel) or vendégház (guest house), and some modern businesses retain the term in their names to evoke heritage. The concept remains part of Hungarian cultural memory and appears in literature and folklore as a symbol of travel, rest, and hospitality.

See also: inn, hostelry, guesthouse, szálló, vendégház, panzió.