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Country Guide: Hungary

Central Transdanubia
This 'microcosm' of the whole country is located 30 minutes west of Budapest and north of Lake Balaton (via the M1 and M7 motorways). There are 'royal cities', archaeological sites, romantic hills, shallow lakes and gardens to explore. Internationally renowned Herend chinaware is manufactured and sold here.

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Small restaurants and inns around the region offer exciting culinary experiences for visitors. The famous specialities of the area are Carp a la Racz, Outlaw's Soup, Roast pig and Wild Boar a la Bakony. Noble, full-bodied wines from Mór, Somló or Etyek enhance the eating experience.

Hungarian Tourism Rt.
Central Transdanubia Regional Marketing Bureau
2484 Agárd, Tópart u. 17.
Phone: +36/ 22-370-051, Fax: +36/ 22-370-063
E-mail: rmiagard@hungarytourism.hu

Székesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár (Alba Regia in Latin), the first seat of the Hungarian kings and the largest city in the area, was founded in 972. This historic city still has ancient stones, monuments, buildings, squares and churches built in the Middle Ages.

Visit the beautiful Franciscan Church, the Town Hall Square, the Bishop's Palace, and the Cistercian Church with its monastery. Modern art can be found at the Budenz House, the Csók István Gallery, the New Hungarian Gallery and many other galleries. These spectacular indoor and outdoor historic and cultural sites are also the venues for several city celebrations and carnivals.

Tác
Tác, the 'Hungarian Pompeii' is near Székesfehérvár. The religious centre at Gorsium-Herculia dates back to the 2-4th century AD. It is the largest archaeological park in Hungary, and is one of the most important Roman excavations in Europe.

Veszprém
Veszprém, one of the oldest towns in Hungary, lies on the banks of river Séd. People call it 'The city of queens', because it was the bishop of Veszprém, who crowned the Hungarian queens. Exceptional treasures of Hungarian church history are to be found in this beautiful town. Walk through the Gate of Heroes to the fire tower, then to the Archbishop's Archives and Library in the beautiful Baroque archbishop's palace, the Gothic Gizella Chapel, the St. George Chapel and the Queen Gizella Museum. From the Castle which overlooks the city there is a stunning view of the slender St. Stephen viaduct that bridges the valley. The 'Kálmán Kittenberger' Plant and Game Park is one of the most attractive zoos in Hungary.

Tata
Tata was a favorite resort of kings in the Middle Ages. The castle on the Old Lake is a reminder of that. You can fish or boat on the lake or visit the "Cifra Malom", the oldest mill on the shore.

Lake Velence
Lake Velence is an ideal resort from early spring until late autumn. This lake is rich in mineral substances and its silky water is refreshing and regenerating. The bird reserve, one third of the lake, covers the reed beds. The winds from the Velence Hills enable excellent sailing, and the reeds provide opportunities for fishing. The lake also offers winter pleasures. People skate and sail-sledge on its frozen water. In summer an excursion boat goes from the ports of Agárd and Velence to Szúnyog Island. Velence, one of the oldest resorts, established a yacht club 70 years ago. Protected wine cellars and press houses are found on the sunny side of Bence Hill, and there is a great view from the hilltop to the lake.

Bakony Mountain
The Bakony Mountain is a protected environment with lovely beech-wood and pine forests like Fenyőfő, picturesque valleys with streams and over 1100 caves.

Gorges and ravines cutting through the mountain are popular routes for hiking. Running into a deer in the Eastern Bakony is not a particularly rare occurrence. Beside deer, fallow-deer, moufflons, wild boar and wild cats, there are 104 protected bird species in the woods of Bakony. The Gothic Csesznek Fortress was already standing in 1263; now its ruins offer a marvelous panorama for visitors.

Vértes Mountain
Romantic valleys and rare plants can be seen in the Vértes Regional Protection Area where life began over 10 million years ago. Vértesszőlős is the place, where Shamu (or Sam), the oldest person in Europe left his remains 350 thousand years ago. Animal bones and remains of the three-toed prehistoric horse were found in the Esterházy Cave at Guba Hill above Csákvár. The geological-botanical study route between Csákvár and Gánt offers a 2-mile walk through Haraszt Hill and Kőlik Valley. Beautiful old peasant houses welcome the visitor at Vérteskozma. Herend
Herend porcelain, loved by the British and the Austrian dynasties, has won 24 first prizes and gold medals at international fairs. The china factory was founded in 1826 and its products are made entirely by hand. More than 8000 crafted objects from the Factory can be seen in the Porcelain Art Museum. The Porcelanium, a mini-workshop, demonstrates the process of making the china. In the Apicius Restaurant and coffee shop, original Herend porcelain is used on the tables; and there is a gift shop where the visitor can browse and buy favourite pieces.

Martonvásár
Martonvásár was twice visited by the great composer Beethoven. The Beethoven Museum in the Brunszvik Palace preserves his memory. Beethoven concerts are given in the palace park by the small pond and wonderful arboretum in July and August.

Pápa
Another worthwhile stop is the charming small town of Pápa whose prestigious school has educated many famous writers and poets since 1531. The town has many wonderful churches like the Roman Catholic Parish Church, the Roman Catholic Benedictine Church and the neo-baroque Reformed [Calvinist] Church. Beautiful Baroque houses maintain the atmosphere of the past. The Esterházy Mansion, surrounded by a protected park, houses the music school, the library, and the palace museum, which displays the city's historic memorabilia. The Blue Dye Museum contains Central Europe's oldest working blue dye workshop. In the Museum of Church History and Ecclesiastic Art you can see church furnishing and liturgical objects from the 17-18th centuries. You can also visit the "Gránátalma" Pharmacy Museum which is a working pharmacy.

Sümeg
Sümeg town was a center of Catholicism in the 18th century and some particularly distinguished church buildings were built here. The fortress on the Castle Hill is one of the largest and best preserved castles in Hungary.