Uncovering the past: archaeologists dig for medieval Szeged in Dóm Square

News

Feb 5

Archaeologists from the Móra Ferenc Museum have begun excavations in Szeged’s Dóm Square, aiming to uncover a medieval cemetery and a section of Szent Demeter Street. The project, initiated by the city administration, seeks to shed light on a part of Szeged’s history that has remained largely unknown due to the destruction caused by the 1879 flood.

“This area has always been central to Szeged,” said Zsuzsanna Löffler, an archaeologist leading the excavation. “First, it was home to the castle and the palisade-enclosed section of the city, and later, the cathedral became its focal point. Historical records and previous excavations show that a church stood here in the 11th century, followed by the Church of Saint Demetrius at the end of the 12th century. Its tower, the Dömötör Tower, still stands today. Next to it, there was most likely a medieval cemetery, and our main goal is to locate part of it.”

The team will first open a small trench of approximately 30–35 square meters near the tower. If conditions allow, they hope to expand the excavation to another section of the square to explore a portion of medieval Szent Demeter Street. However, time and weather pose significant challenges.

“Our time is limited, and a lot depends on the weather,” Löffler explained. “Heavy rain or frost can seriously hinder excavation work. If we get the chance, we want to investigate another corner of the square.”

The archaeologists hope their findings will lead to a larger excavation in the future. “We have no idea what we will find — perhaps even Szeged’s old sewage system from the era of Maria Theresa. Of course, discovering the cemetery would be ideal, but even a medieval cobblestone would be an exciting find. The only certainty is what we uncover.”

The excavation will continue until mid-April, after which the square will be restored in preparation for the Szeged Open-Air Theater Festival.