Storytelling Bus Stops - Cholnoky Family

The Cholnoky family—whose members produced talents of outstanding significance both nationally and across Europe—holds a place of special importance for Veszprém. The Cholnoky brothers, László and Viktor, key figures and writers connected to Veszprém and its wider region (the Bakony Hills and the Balaton Uplands), left behind a body of work that forms an indispensable part of the area’s cultural heritage.

Where did the members of the Cholnoky family of Veszprém live, and who were they?

On the southern slope of Jerusalem Hill, on Kecske Hill, lived—within almost arm’s reach of one another—the grandfather, Dr. Ferenc Cholnoky Sr., and his three children. The eldest son, László, father of Jenő Cholnoky, was a gifted attorney. Just a few hundred meters to the north lived his sister Ilona, the wife of Károly Berky, a court judge; and to the south lived the younger brother Ferenc, who later became a hospital director and served as physician to Bishop Hornig.

This triangular area, bordered by Toborzó Street, Bem Street, and Dózsa György Street, formed a distinctive landscape and architectural ensemble. There is a significant difference in elevation—nearly 20 meters—between the upper plateau along Dózsa György Street and the lower section descending toward Anna Square.