<\/p>\n
After seeing the beauty and splendour of the capital Budapest, we suggest taking the western route to enjoy the history and beauty of Gy\u0151r and Sopron, the city of Szombathely, the deep spa town of H\u00e9viz, by Lake Balaton, and ending in what next year will be one of the three Cultural Capitals of Europe 2023, the town of Veszpr\u00e9m.<\/strong><\/h4>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/zen-hopper.82-223-81-17.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Panoramica-Gyor-Yo-ok.jpg\")
<\/a>View of the city of Gy\u0151r. \/Photo: JDL.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nGy\u0151r <\/strong><\/p>\nGy\u0151r is known as the City of Rivers,<\/strong> as the R\u00e1ba, R\u00e1bca and Mosoni-Duna (a branch of the Danube) meet here. A visit to the Bishop’s Palace Tower<\/strong> (“P\u00fcsp\u00f6kiv\u00e1r Torony” in Hungarian), which is located about 500 metres from the central square of the city, on one side of the Danube River, is a must. In June 2004, a permanent exhibition was opened about Bishop Vilmos Apor,<\/strong> who was tortured by Russian soldiers in 1945 in the basement beneath the castle and who protected at the cost of his life the women and children who sought refuge in his palace from the occupying troops. He died a few days later from the wounds inflicted on him. A statue in his honour greets the visitor at the entrance to the palace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
If you climb to the top of this tower you can enjoy one of the best views of the entire city. Directly opposite is the tower of Gy\u0151r Cathedral,<\/strong> built around the year 1000 by St. Stephen.<\/strong> The paintings of the Virgin Mary<\/strong> decorating the baroque altar in the nave of the north wing made the church one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Hungary. According to legend, this icon, brought by the Irish bishop Walter Lynch<\/strong> in 1655, wept tears of blood on St. Patrick’s Day 1697.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Impressive is the Ark of the Covenant,<\/strong> the most beautiful baroque statue in the city, sculpted in 1731 by Antonio Corradini<\/strong> and designed by Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach. <\/strong>The monument shows two angels holding the Ark in their hands. The work was created on the very spot where Habsburg soldiers knocked the monstrance out of the priest’s hands during the Corpus Christi procession of 1727, while pursuing a deserter and adulterer who had taken refuge in the crowd.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Another of Gy\u0151r’s must-see sights is its neo-baroque Town Hall<\/strong> (1896-1898), designed by the architect Jen\u0151 H\u00fcbner. 85 m long and 40 m wide, it was built in a U-shape with two storeys. The coat of arms of the city can be seen on the fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/zen-hopper.82-223-81-17.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Pannonhalma-abadia-ok.jpg\")
<\/a>The Benedictine abbey of Pannonhalma has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma <\/strong><\/p>\nThe Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong> since 1996. Founded in 996, the monastery of the Benedictine order is as old as the Hungarian state. Its millennia-old history can be discovered through the various architectural styles, while tourists can enjoy learning about the various activities of the monks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
A stroll through the lavender-scented arboretum and enjoy the majestic silence of the basilica and immerse yourself in the 400,000-volume collection of the library is a must. The abbey’s hard-working monks who still live there make excellent wine, which is a must-try, as are the dishes made from local ingredients in the abbey’s restaurant.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/zen-hopper.82-223-81-17.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Palacio-Fertod_Eszterhazy-ok.jpg\")
<\/a>Hall of the Esterh\u00e1zy Palace in Fert\u0151d.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Esterh\u00e1zy Palace of Fert\u0151d<\/strong><\/p>\nBecause of their imperial history, palaces abound throughout Hungary. But on this journey through western Hungary, the Esterh\u00e1zy Palace in Fert\u0151d<\/strong> stands out. Passing through the palace’s main entrance with three gates, the visitor enters the fascinating world of 18th century Baroque. The ornamental courtyard surrounded by the castle wings provides a wonderful backdrop for photos, with its richly carved fountains, the lawn adorned with thousands of flowers and the decorative staircase adorned with cherubs. The Esterh\u00e1zy family had no less than 126 rooms in this magnificent building. Dozens of classical and pop music concerts preserve the traditions of the palace; Joseph Haydn<\/strong> himself was once a court composer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/zen-hopper.82-223-81-17.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sopron_city-ok.jpg\")
<\/a>Sopron city centre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Sopron<\/strong><\/p>\nSituated just a short distance from the Austrian border, Sopron is nicknamed “The Faithful City”, in <\/strong>memory of the result of the 1921 referendum in which its inhabitants decided to become part of Hungary. It’s comforting and dazzling to visit its old town along the city wall promenade and then lose yourself in the maze of winding streets that lead between the baroque houses. If you head for T\u0171ztorony,<\/strong> the 58-metre-high Fire Tower<\/strong> (also called the Fire Tower), the symbol of the city, will soon appear on F\u0151t\u00e9r, the Main Square.<\/strong> The top of the tower, rebuilt in 1680, offers a magnificent view, not only of the city centre, but also of the L\u0151v\u00e9rek,<\/strong> a hillside dotted with villas. In the centre of the square stands the oldest statue of the Holy Trinity<\/strong> in Hungary. The imposing Goat Church<\/strong> was built by the Franciscans in 1280 and owes its name to a strange story about a goat. According to the story, the construction of the church was paid for with buried treasure discovered by a grazing goat. On one of the church’s pillars is an image of an angel holding a goat. The monastery is famous for its chapter house, considered the most beautiful piece of Gothic architecture in the country, and is located at the end of the square.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Sopron has a textile industry based on linen cultivation,<\/strong> and characteristic of this area is the use of the blue dyeing <\/strong>technique. It is worth noting that this area of western Hungary is home to an indigenous breed of superior quality meat, the Mangalica pig,<\/strong> which is said to be comparable to the Iberian pig.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/zen-hopper.82-223-81-17.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Sppron-Yo-ok.jpg\")
<\/a>The Sopron Fire Tower \/Photo: JDL.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Szombathely<\/strong><\/p>\nClose to the Austrian border is the town of Szombathely, the capital of the Province of Vas <\/strong>and a place of several episodes in Hungarian history. In fact, it is the oldest town in Hungary, dating back to Roman times, where the imperial residence was located. Over the centuries, the city had its impact on the various uprisings that took place in the country. In the 20th century, Szombathely increased its economic, industrial and cultural potential and once again became a city of great renown.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
You can start your visit to Szombathely with a visit to Szegedy Castle,<\/strong> built around 1820 in the Baroque style. Its natural garden stands out and requires special maintenance for its preservation. The interior is beautifully decorated and has a number of objects from the 19th century period that are worth seeing, along with a magnificent landscape outside.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The Szombathely Arboretum<\/strong> is a botanical garden with a collection of unique trees from temperate and cold zones. The garden was started at the end of the 19th century and its management began in the middle of the 20th century. In the months of May it is a must-see to contemplate the visual wonder of the rhododendrons in bloom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Behind the city’s cathedral is the Open-Air Archaeological Museum,<\/strong> also known as the Garden of Ruins,<\/strong> where you can find buildings dating from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. Among these palace ruins resided the emperors Constantine the Great, Constantine II, Constantius or Valentinian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The famous Savaria Carnival,<\/strong> one of the most popular in Hungary, is held in August. Thousands of people flock to enjoy the four days of the carnival, during which the thousands of years of history of the city of Szombathely are evoked. And the most awaited moment is the parade-procession<\/strong> that takes place in the streets of the city. Artists, musicians, fire-eaters and warriors of different armies make this parade an unforgettable spectacle of colour and music.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
And there are even more remains of the Roman Empire’s passage through these lands. The Iseum,<\/strong> the ancient sanctuary built for the goddess Isis, has been extraordinarily renovated and offers a peculiar, eerily beautiful open-air venue for operas and plays during the summer. In the Ruin Garden,<\/strong> there are still traces of a shrine for Mercurius and an eight-angled bath.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/zen-hopper.82-223-81-17.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Heviz-ok.jpg\")
<\/a>The lake of H\u00e9v\u00edz.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
H\u00e9v\u00edz <\/strong><\/p>\nHungary is also known as the Land of Spas.<\/strong> In addition to the lakes of Egerszal\u00f3k<\/strong> and Miskolctapolca<\/strong> (both in the east of the country), there is perhaps the best known, Lake H\u00e9v\u00edz,<\/strong> located on the northern slopes of Keszthely Mountain in the centre of the city. Thanks to constant movement, the water temperature in the world’s largest biologically active natural thermal lake is pleasant all year round, allowing bathing in all seasons. The water temperature is 23-25 \u00b0C in winter, and can rise to 36-38 \u00b0C in summer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The flow of the water from left to right, as well as from the bottom upwards, has a massaging effect on bathers.<\/strong> In winter, the condensed steam forms a layer on the surface of the lake, creating a natural inhalation. This layer prevents the water from cooling down and inhaling it rejuvenates the exhausted vocal cords. The turquoise water of the lake has a complex healing effect, and its beauty is also pleasing to the weary mind and soul. Visitors swim alongside the aquatic fauna, water lilies floating on the surface, fish, pond turtles, ducks and swans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The lake was formed in the same period as Lake Balaton. Its present source emerged 20000-22000 years ago.<\/strong> Various types of water lilies grow here: the white European water lily is native to the region, while the purple water lily was introduced from India 100 years ago. Thanks to the abundant water supply, the 4.4-hectare lake – with a depth of 38 metres – replenishes its water completely every three days.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lake Balaton<\/strong><\/p>\nLocated less than 100 kilometres from the Hungarian capital, Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe and one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe. With its pleasant surrounding towns and villages and diverse attractions, this lake holds many surprises even for those who know the region well. The picturesque Balaton Highlands,<\/strong> castle ruins nestled among the rolling hills, winding roads, charming natural stone buildings and country houses surrounded by vineyards captivate visitors, as well as hikers, sports enthusiasts and those in search of breathtaking views.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The average water temperature is 25 \u00b0C, which makes bathing in its waters very pleasant. Other tourist attractions include boating, fishing and other water sports, as well as visits to the surrounding countryside and hills; there are vineyards in the northern area and nightlife is more developed on the southern shore.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/zen-hopper.82-223-81-17.plesk.page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Veszprem02-ok.jpg\")
<\/a>St. Michael’s Cathedral in Veszpr\u00e9m.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Gy\u0151r <\/strong><\/p>\n Gy\u0151r is known as the City of Rivers,<\/strong> as the R\u00e1ba, R\u00e1bca and Mosoni-Duna (a branch of the Danube) meet here. A visit to the Bishop’s Palace Tower<\/strong> (“P\u00fcsp\u00f6kiv\u00e1r Torony” in Hungarian), which is located about 500 metres from the central square of the city, on one side of the Danube River, is a must. In June 2004, a permanent exhibition was opened about Bishop Vilmos Apor,<\/strong> who was tortured by Russian soldiers in 1945 in the basement beneath the castle and who protected at the cost of his life the women and children who sought refuge in his palace from the occupying troops. He died a few days later from the wounds inflicted on him. A statue in his honour greets the visitor at the entrance to the palace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you climb to the top of this tower you can enjoy one of the best views of the entire city. Directly opposite is the tower of Gy\u0151r Cathedral,<\/strong> built around the year 1000 by St. Stephen.<\/strong> The paintings of the Virgin Mary<\/strong> decorating the baroque altar in the nave of the north wing made the church one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Hungary. According to legend, this icon, brought by the Irish bishop Walter Lynch<\/strong> in 1655, wept tears of blood on St. Patrick’s Day 1697.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Impressive is the Ark of the Covenant,<\/strong> the most beautiful baroque statue in the city, sculpted in 1731 by Antonio Corradini<\/strong> and designed by Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach. <\/strong>The monument shows two angels holding the Ark in their hands. The work was created on the very spot where Habsburg soldiers knocked the monstrance out of the priest’s hands during the Corpus Christi procession of 1727, while pursuing a deserter and adulterer who had taken refuge in the crowd.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another of Gy\u0151r’s must-see sights is its neo-baroque Town Hall<\/strong> (1896-1898), designed by the architect Jen\u0151 H\u00fcbner. 85 m long and 40 m wide, it was built in a U-shape with two storeys. The coat of arms of the city can be seen on the fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma <\/strong><\/p>\n The Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong> since 1996. Founded in 996, the monastery of the Benedictine order is as old as the Hungarian state. Its millennia-old history can be discovered through the various architectural styles, while tourists can enjoy learning about the various activities of the monks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A stroll through the lavender-scented arboretum and enjoy the majestic silence of the basilica and immerse yourself in the 400,000-volume collection of the library is a must. The abbey’s hard-working monks who still live there make excellent wine, which is a must-try, as are the dishes made from local ingredients in the abbey’s restaurant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Esterh\u00e1zy Palace of Fert\u0151d<\/strong><\/p>\n Because of their imperial history, palaces abound throughout Hungary. But on this journey through western Hungary, the Esterh\u00e1zy Palace in Fert\u0151d<\/strong> stands out. Passing through the palace’s main entrance with three gates, the visitor enters the fascinating world of 18th century Baroque. The ornamental courtyard surrounded by the castle wings provides a wonderful backdrop for photos, with its richly carved fountains, the lawn adorned with thousands of flowers and the decorative staircase adorned with cherubs. The Esterh\u00e1zy family had no less than 126 rooms in this magnificent building. Dozens of classical and pop music concerts preserve the traditions of the palace; Joseph Haydn<\/strong> himself was once a court composer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sopron<\/strong><\/p>\n Situated just a short distance from the Austrian border, Sopron is nicknamed “The Faithful City”, in <\/strong>memory of the result of the 1921 referendum in which its inhabitants decided to become part of Hungary. It’s comforting and dazzling to visit its old town along the city wall promenade and then lose yourself in the maze of winding streets that lead between the baroque houses. If you head for T\u0171ztorony,<\/strong> the 58-metre-high Fire Tower<\/strong> (also called the Fire Tower), the symbol of the city, will soon appear on F\u0151t\u00e9r, the Main Square.<\/strong> The top of the tower, rebuilt in 1680, offers a magnificent view, not only of the city centre, but also of the L\u0151v\u00e9rek,<\/strong> a hillside dotted with villas. In the centre of the square stands the oldest statue of the Holy Trinity<\/strong> in Hungary. The imposing Goat Church<\/strong> was built by the Franciscans in 1280 and owes its name to a strange story about a goat. According to the story, the construction of the church was paid for with buried treasure discovered by a grazing goat. On one of the church’s pillars is an image of an angel holding a goat. The monastery is famous for its chapter house, considered the most beautiful piece of Gothic architecture in the country, and is located at the end of the square.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sopron has a textile industry based on linen cultivation,<\/strong> and characteristic of this area is the use of the blue dyeing <\/strong>technique. It is worth noting that this area of western Hungary is home to an indigenous breed of superior quality meat, the Mangalica pig,<\/strong> which is said to be comparable to the Iberian pig.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Szombathely<\/strong><\/p>\n Close to the Austrian border is the town of Szombathely, the capital of the Province of Vas <\/strong>and a place of several episodes in Hungarian history. In fact, it is the oldest town in Hungary, dating back to Roman times, where the imperial residence was located. Over the centuries, the city had its impact on the various uprisings that took place in the country. In the 20th century, Szombathely increased its economic, industrial and cultural potential and once again became a city of great renown.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can start your visit to Szombathely with a visit to Szegedy Castle,<\/strong> built around 1820 in the Baroque style. Its natural garden stands out and requires special maintenance for its preservation. The interior is beautifully decorated and has a number of objects from the 19th century period that are worth seeing, along with a magnificent landscape outside.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Szombathely Arboretum<\/strong> is a botanical garden with a collection of unique trees from temperate and cold zones. The garden was started at the end of the 19th century and its management began in the middle of the 20th century. In the months of May it is a must-see to contemplate the visual wonder of the rhododendrons in bloom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Behind the city’s cathedral is the Open-Air Archaeological Museum,<\/strong> also known as the Garden of Ruins,<\/strong> where you can find buildings dating from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. Among these palace ruins resided the emperors Constantine the Great, Constantine II, Constantius or Valentinian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The famous Savaria Carnival,<\/strong> one of the most popular in Hungary, is held in August. Thousands of people flock to enjoy the four days of the carnival, during which the thousands of years of history of the city of Szombathely are evoked. And the most awaited moment is the parade-procession<\/strong> that takes place in the streets of the city. Artists, musicians, fire-eaters and warriors of different armies make this parade an unforgettable spectacle of colour and music.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And there are even more remains of the Roman Empire’s passage through these lands. The Iseum,<\/strong> the ancient sanctuary built for the goddess Isis, has been extraordinarily renovated and offers a peculiar, eerily beautiful open-air venue for operas and plays during the summer. In the Ruin Garden,<\/strong> there are still traces of a shrine for Mercurius and an eight-angled bath.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n H\u00e9v\u00edz <\/strong><\/p>\n Hungary is also known as the Land of Spas.<\/strong> In addition to the lakes of Egerszal\u00f3k<\/strong> and Miskolctapolca<\/strong> (both in the east of the country), there is perhaps the best known, Lake H\u00e9v\u00edz,<\/strong> located on the northern slopes of Keszthely Mountain in the centre of the city. Thanks to constant movement, the water temperature in the world’s largest biologically active natural thermal lake is pleasant all year round, allowing bathing in all seasons. The water temperature is 23-25 \u00b0C in winter, and can rise to 36-38 \u00b0C in summer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The flow of the water from left to right, as well as from the bottom upwards, has a massaging effect on bathers.<\/strong> In winter, the condensed steam forms a layer on the surface of the lake, creating a natural inhalation. This layer prevents the water from cooling down and inhaling it rejuvenates the exhausted vocal cords. The turquoise water of the lake has a complex healing effect, and its beauty is also pleasing to the weary mind and soul. Visitors swim alongside the aquatic fauna, water lilies floating on the surface, fish, pond turtles, ducks and swans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The lake was formed in the same period as Lake Balaton. Its present source emerged 20000-22000 years ago.<\/strong> Various types of water lilies grow here: the white European water lily is native to the region, while the purple water lily was introduced from India 100 years ago. Thanks to the abundant water supply, the 4.4-hectare lake – with a depth of 38 metres – replenishes its water completely every three days.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lake Balaton<\/strong><\/p>\n Located less than 100 kilometres from the Hungarian capital, Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe and one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe. With its pleasant surrounding towns and villages and diverse attractions, this lake holds many surprises even for those who know the region well. The picturesque Balaton Highlands,<\/strong> castle ruins nestled among the rolling hills, winding roads, charming natural stone buildings and country houses surrounded by vineyards captivate visitors, as well as hikers, sports enthusiasts and those in search of breathtaking views.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The average water temperature is 25 \u00b0C, which makes bathing in its waters very pleasant. Other tourist attractions include boating, fishing and other water sports, as well as visits to the surrounding countryside and hills; there are vineyards in the northern area and nightlife is more developed on the southern shore.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>