Veszprém, Hungary’s city of over 1,000 years of history, has long been an important administrative, educational, and religious center. Today, under the leadership of Mayor Gyula Porga, it is thriving as an economic hub with a strong focus on culture, innovation, and sustainability.
In a recent interview, Mayor Porga reflected on the city’s remarkable transformation, including the honor of being named the European Capital of Culture last year. “Last year, Veszprém proudly wore the title of European Capital of Culture, a resounding success that united 116 municipalities in a truly regional effort with the Lake Balaton and Bakony Hill’s regions,” he shared.
Known for its strategic location near major European capitals, Veszprém is not only an attractive tourist destination but also an emerging business hub. “Strategically located close to Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna, Veszprém is well-connected to Europe’s major capitals, making it an attractive destination for business and talent,” Porga explained.
We continue to focus on making Veszprém a great place to live and work, enhancing public services and fostering strong ties between local businesses and our university.
Gyula Porga, Mayor of Veszprém, Hungary
The city’s “quality over quantity” approach to education and business is reflected in its industries, including automotive, food production, and industrial automation. “Veszprém is a leader in industrial automation—three of Hungary’s top companies in this sector are based here, supported by skilled graduates from the University of Pannonia,” he noted. The city has become a key player in Hungary’s innovation ecosystem, with a strong educational foundation that has produced thousands of research engineers in fields like IT and engineering.
Cultural heritage remains a cornerstone of Veszprém’s identity, “As a city steeped in culture, we’re proud of our heritage industries like the renowned Herend Porcelain Factory, known from Europe to Japan,” said Porga.
The city is also building on its strengths as a gastronomic destination, “Veszprém and its region is a gastronomic hub, boasting the second-highest number of Michelin-listed restaurants after Budapest, thanks to our proximity to Lake Balaton and historic wine regions,” Porga added.
Looking ahead, Veszprém is on the cutting edge of digital innovation with a new immersive digital museum in the works. “Our upcoming immersive digital museum will be a game-changer, blending exhibition and content creation, developed with partners like the Tokyo Digital Museum and local universities,” he said.
Mayor Porga concluded by emphasizing the city’s commitment to continuous improvement: “We continue to focus on making Veszprém a great place to live and work, enhancing public services and fostering strong ties between local businesses and our university.”
Veszprém’s blend of rich history, innovative spirit, and strong cultural and educational foundations is poised to make it a key player on the European stage in the years to come.
