Let's begin our walk in Zichy Park, relaxing on a shaded bench to get to know the story of Jancsi Rigó before exploring the city centre, where the famous bandleader once walked or may have walked!

Who was Jancsi Rigó? He was born in 1858 in Pákozd, near Székesfehérvár. At the age of 12, the talented young violinist was introduced in our city to Józsi Barcza (Simpliczius), a world-famous bandleader awarded an order of merit by King William III. The master took Jancsi into his band, and they played together for a time in Székesfehérvár and later in Kaposvár. Shortly after, Jancsi Rigó founded his own band, performing first in Budapest and then in numerous major European cities. In 1895, Jancsi was playing the violin in an elegant Paris restaurant. One evening, a striking beauty entered on the arm of a man: Clara Ward, wife of Prince Chimay, one of Belgium's most prominent aristocrats. They fell in love, and the princess escaped with the Hungarian gypsy violinist. Thus, a legend still famous today was born—one that created a huge sensation in its day and dominated the tabloid press.