Towns or festivals in Transdanubia

Hungary is divided into two by the Danube. It is beyond the Danube, where the name
Transdanubia originates from. At least as far as tourism is concerned, the region now has a
Balaton-shaped hole in the middle, which actually makes it rather difficult to define. Northern
Transdanubia has developed faster than other parts of the country. This is reflected by the
rapid development of spa hotels and golf courses, which have attracted foreign investment
and holidaymakers in equal measure. Important cities like Kőszeg, Sopron, Győr and Tata
kept much of their medieval charm and added a generous helping of Baroque splendor.
Remarkably, the Benedictine Abbey at Pannonhalma is a survivor from the tenth century, and
incorporates plenty of diverse architectural styles to show for it. To the south of Lake Balaton,
the rolling Mecsek Hills are excellent for cycling, hiking or horse-riding, but it is the red wine
region of Villány-Siklós that steals the show, with the area around Szekszárd not far behind.
The beautiful old town of Pécs, one of Hungary’s liveliest, is an ideal starting point for
exploring area.

Central Transdanubia:
The region stretches from the Danube to Lake Balaton with the ancient block-mountain range.
When someone will make a sightseeing tour, then I recommend the following cities.
Székesfehérvár can claim to be the oldest seat of the monarchy. This town, situated between
the foothills of the Bakony Forest and the Velencei Mountains, has a well preserved inner
town in Baroque style. Around 1000 Stephen I commissioned the building of a Romanesque
church in which Hungarian kings were crowned and interred until the 16th century.
Veszprém, the “town of queens” lies on the southeastern foothills of the Bakony Forest. As
regional capital and university town with famous scientific and cultural institutions it also
fulfills educational and administrative functions.
In Vértesszőlős was found a piece of the skull from one of the oldest prehistoric men in
Europe. His name is Samu.
When you would like to go to some kind of events, I propose the following festivals:
 “Floralia” – Festival of the Goddess Flora – Gorsium Archeological in Park in Tác:
This is commemorated at Gorsium, where visitors are able to see gladiators as well as
enjoy seeing the flower exhibition and market.
 International Kite Flying Contests in Pákozd:
Its place is the Sárkány Hill, it is a folk dancing festival and show for children.
 Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra – Beethoven Evenings in Martonvásár:
Concert series are given in the park of the former Brunswick Castle in Martonvásár. In
neogotic style it provides a real romantic feeling. The adjoining park gives home to
different trees with a little lake in the middle with an island, which serves as a venue
for Beethoven concerts 3 times a summer. In the castle there is a Beethoven Museum.
 Bábolna National Equestrian Festival and Show Jumping in Bábolna:
It has a long history of breeding Arab horses. Here the skill and strength of horses and
riders alike are tested.
  Borde Fortress Festival in Sümeg:
Attractions include mounted archery, mounted hussars, medieval games and clothes
demonstrations, and Renaissance music.
Herend Porcelain: Since 1826, Herend has produced one of the world’s most outstanding and
distinctive porcelains. Queen Victoria ordered a very large table service for 120 guests for
Windsor Castle. Decorated with a Chinese design of flowers and butterflies, it has since
become famous as the Queen Victoria pattern.

Southern Transdanubia:
Harkány is the most visited spa town of southern Transdanubia. Its thermal-water is 63-64 oC.
The water and its mud are excellent for curing rheumatic diseases, treating symptoms of
locomotive diseases and easing skin infections.
Siklós with its impressive fortification stands on a plateau. There is a drawbridge in front of
the doorway of the castle. The castle is regulary the venue for artistic festivals, such as the
International Festival of Wind-instrument Orchestras and the cultural events of the town.
Mohács, in the battle of 1526 the Hungarian troops suffered a devastating defeat at the hands
of the superior Turkish army. In carnival time, the “busó” people put on long-haired animal
skins and frightening masks to bury winter and welcome spring.
The Villány-Siklós wine region: The beautiful, rolling hills of the region produce Hungary’s
most prestigious red wines. The production of red wine, however, was largely started by
immigrants from Serbia in the 1700s, who brought with them the Kékfrankos grape variety
and new methods of production. Today’s winemakers use indigenous grapes, but have also
introduced international red varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The sub-
Mediterranean microclimate and an average of over 2000 hours of sunshine give the local
wines a uniquely earthy flavor. The Villány-Siklós Wine Route was created in 1994 to help
visitors sample a wide variety of wines and experience the region’s food, nature and
Hungarian culture.

Pécs was in 2010 European Capital of Culture. One key lure is the Mediterranean climate –
spring comes early and summers are hot. Another is the local wine. Southern Transdanubia is
a land of agricultural bounty. This is a city where the more you look the more you find. In its
central square, Széchenyi tér, the emblematic copper-domed Mosque-Church stands as a
reminder of the 143 years Pécs spent under Turkish rule. Early Christian burial sites that
forms a Unesco World Heritage Site. The the time of Inscription was 2000.In the 4 th century,
a remarkable series of decorated tombs were constructed in the cemetery of the Roman
provincial town of Sopiane. The tombs are important also in artistic terms since they are
richly decorated. Sopiane cemetery bear outstanding testimony to the strength and faith of the
Christian communities. There you can see Csontváry Museum, which celebrates the singular
vision of a mystical Slovakian painter. Another venue is devoted to a local hero, Victor
Vasarely, the “father” of Op-art, while the excellent Zsolnay Museum tells the story of the
city’s renowned ceramics factory. Pécs is also a university city where something is always
going on, be it a festival, noteworthy exhibition or series of concerts.
Western Transdanubia:
Western Transdanubia consists of three counties: Zala, Vas and Győr-Sopron. You can find a
Benedictine library and the only intact medieval cloisters in Hungary in Pannonhalma. Two
World Heritage sites lie in the region:
 Lake Fertő/ Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape has been the meeting place of different
cultures. This National Park was set up in 1994. The shallow Lake Fertő, located on
the Austrian-Hungarian border, is an aquatic habitat of European significance. In
addition to the protected and rare flora it is also home to many endangered amphibian
and reptilian species. It boasts a very rich stock of waterbirds.
 Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment: The first
Benedictine monks settled here in 996. From the time of its founding, this monastic
community has promoted culture throughout central Europe.
Sopron is a popular destination for excursions and recreation, not only because of its
attractive situation but also because of its unusual townscape with well-preserved
medieval and Baroque buildings.