Introduction

Kőszeg, a small town full of natural and historical beauties and often called as the "country's jewellery box", is located at the foot of the Alps. Those tourists visiting this place can find everything from fresh springs, brooks, bountiful vineyards full of big bunches of grapes to refreshing chestnut woods, which are all inevitable parts of perfect refreshment, revitalization and recreation.

The visitors of the first naturpark of the country (Irottkő Natúrpark) can get acquainted with such peculiar natural beauties such as the highest mountain peak of Transdanubia with its 882 metres above sea level, and whose name, Irottkő ('Inscribed Stone'), refers to a historic event, the well-known 1.2 ha Arboretum founded by Chernel Kálmán as well as the crystal-clear water of the spring having gained its name from the the seven leaders of the first Hungarian settlers, and many more. The beech and pinetree woods spreading on volcanic rock provide an excellent place for anyone wishing to hike or just stroll along in the mountains.

Those who do not rejoice in nature can spend their time walking in the historical downtown of Kőszeg. The settlement, founded by the 'Avar', had gone through numerous changes in the last centuries before it gained its present-day image. This place was conquered and occupied by the German, Austrian and Turkish, whose descendants come here not to conquer but rather to search for the trails of history. It is advised to take a relaxing walk along the walls of the old downtown and the castle, where Jurisich Miklós, a commander born in Croatia, and his small troops managed to fight back the huge Turkish army heading towards Vienna in 1532. In memory of this important event the church bells in Kőszeg begin to toll at 11 o'clock every day. During a refreshing walk in the centre of the town you mustn't miss tasting the different high-quality wines of local primary wine producers in the special Swabian-type cellar pubs.

You should continue your discovery walk on the streets surrounding the castle and the downtown, where the houses all add to the picturesque historical scenery of the town, such as the famous 'houses of hewers' from the 18th century. It is no wonder it is part of national heritance. Nonetheless, the most important of the many specialities are the 'honesty boxes' put in front of the houses, where you can buy the vegetables, fruits and flowers coming from the small vegetable gardens and fruit yards of the local people and drop the money into small boxes. If you roamed over the town and get tired you can be sure to find perfect rest in the night in the Inn to the Stray Cat at 100 Várkör Street.

The corner house, built in Baroque style in the 18th century, was reshaped in Classicist style in the 1830s. The building, under lot number 557., was already on the map drawn by Kovatsits Zsigmond in 1838-39., and was owned by a merchant, Waisbecker József according to the land register of the Public Record Office in Kőszeg. Its facade facing Várkör Street is shaped by vakolatlizénák, whose central part is the gate with segmented arch closing. Stepping into the house on the ground floor you can find a pleasant brasserie, a place also for the breakfast, where we welcome our guests from early morning till late night. On the second floor there are 9 rooms altogether with 24 beds. In the cellar you can find a night bar.

The inn managed in the frame of a family enterprise is one of the most enchanting places for tourists arriving at our town. The inn is located in the upper part of the downtown, and you can find yourself in nature at a glance after you walk through Hunyadi Street, a calm street with big shady trees and full of nice villas. From the windows of the house you can marvel either at the ranges of the Kőszeg-Mountains or the downtown. The Inn to the Stray Cat was awarded by the Irottkő Naturpark Association the title 'Approved Accomodation' in the year 2000.