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Travelogues, travel stories
Sights of Balatonfenyves
Balatonfenyves has one of the longest coasts of th... More »
Balatongyörök, the "pearl of Lake Balaton"
The village is situated in one of the most beautif... More »
Tokaj, the capital of its historic wine region
Among the best-known Hungarian towns after Budapes... More »
Mathias Church
Mathias Church
The “centre” Hungary and its surroundings
The Danube-Tisza Interfluve and the areas near the... More »
Travel experiences
South Buda
On the southern side of the valley is Torokbalint, already on the Teteny Plateau. Since 2005, ten marked study paths have guided hikers. The protected forest around the settlement attracts picnickers and mushroomers alike, while the Anna lookout tower provides a splendid view of the Buda Hills and Budaors.
Two hundred million years ago, the southwest border of present-day Budapest was covered by sea. The sea sediment petrified into thick layers of limestone and dolomite, which were later affected by tectonic movements – some were pushed upwards and others downwards. These geological events created the characteristic surface structures that mark the region’s picturesque panorama.After the ravages of the Ottoman occupation, small villages around the capital – originally founded during the Middle Ages – were revived by mostly German settlers. These settlements developed into huge sleeping towns and commercial centres. Those descendants who cared about their roots, however, were able to conserve the remains of the past. Some of the settlements can be reached by local “blue” buses, but coaches and suburban trains can also get you there quickly – as can the three motorways that cross the region (M0, M1, M7).The bilingual Budaors/Wudersch road sign at the border of the capital is a clue to the fact that the locality still takes pride in its German traditions. The modern residential areas, villas and village-style old houses are situated amid the pretty Csiki Hills (part of the Buda Hills). The landscape is rocky with a few pine groves here and there. It is a perfect place for excursions to protected spots where iris, wind flower and primrose grow in springtime. Kalvaria Hill, with its huge iron cross and Golgotha statue, is the venue for passion plays performed at Easter. The Ferenc Riedl Local History Collection deals with the traditions and history of the local German population. The name of Budaors is strongly linked with the history of Hungarian civil flying; the airport has operated since 1937, and remains open for small planes from all over the world.On the southern side of the valley is Torokbalint, already on the Teteny Plateau. Since 2005, ten marked study paths have guided hikers. The protected forest around the settlement attracts picnickers and mushroomers alike, while the Anna lookout tower provides a splendid view of the Buda Hills and Budaors. Erd, the second-biggest settlement in the region (after Budapest), is situated on a plateau divided by parallel valleys. Until 1979, Erd was known as the “biggest village in Europe”. The ancient village is surrounded by a modern city centre and the garden area. The old part hides a reconstructed Turkish minaret that offers a lovely panorama. Not far from it, a hoteland thermal bath were opened feeding on water rich in natrium-hydrogen carbonate, chloride and fluoride. In the city centre, there is a 150-year-old mansion hosting the Hungarian Geographical Museum; inside we are introduced to famous explorers like Sandor Korosi Csoma, Pal Teleki and Jeno Cholnoky. The neighbouring Diosd has a unique Radio and Television Museum.The Benta Creek Valley, north of Erd, is characterised by limestone and sandstone rocks. The stone mines of Soskut provided the raw material that went into Budapest’s most famous buildings (Parliament, the Opera House, etc). The sheer size of the abandoned stone mines is quite astonishing. The Equestrian Club is a favourite of local riders and a venue for many races. Pusztazamor in the creek’s valley is famous for a hermit chapel built in 1758 on the ruins of a Romanesque church.Biatorbagy is not far from here. The most important sight of the settlement is its monumental viaduct. South from Biatorbagy, Iharos Hill offers great territory for hikers, holding the rocks of Kohegy (Stone Hill), as does the Nyakas stone facing the Benta Creek Valley. Some of the 100–150-year-old wine cellars carved into the hillside are still used for storing good-quality white wine. The 83-acre Bia fishing lake is the preserve of professional fishermen; amateur anglers can use the smaller pond next to Soskut Road, which is also full of fish. South from Erd, a loess wall forms a natural border between Szazhalombatta and Erd. The huge chimneys of Dunamenti Power Plant and the tanks, pipes and burning gas torches of the oil refi nery may not seem particularly attractive for tourists, but you would regret not visiting the city of the “hundred piles”. The history of the city (named after the 100 ancient piles from the times of the Hallstatt culture) is presented in the Matrica Museum, whose name in turn refers to the Roman name of the settlement.
The Archaeology Park has reconstructed houses from the Bronze and Iron ages. Visitors can get a taste of everyday life in the former village during handicraft shows, when they can try their hands at making pots and jewellery, weaving and spinning, or preparing ancient food. In one of the reconstructed 2,700-yearold pile graves you can watch a multimedia-show (with sound and light effects) that describes the burial traditions of the former inhabitants. The Serb Church in the Ovaros (Ancient city), built in 1750, is an important monument, but one should not miss the Catholic church in the city centre either. It was built by the best exponent of Hungarian organic architecture, Imre Makovecz. Colourful events in the city include the “Summerfest” International Folk Dance Festival in August and the International Winds Festival.
Source: Hungarian Tourism Plc