Excursion No. One: Western Hungary Itinerary (September 21-22, 2007)

DEPARTURE: 7.00 a.m., Heroes’ Square (south of Műcsarnok, in the parking lot).

Our first overnight group excursion of this semester will take us to the western part of Hungary, to Transdanubia. We will travel by rented bus. Here is what we are planning to do and see:

Friday, September 21

PANNONHALMA: (9.40 a.m.) The 1000-year-old Benedictine Archabbey has been the stronghold of Hungarian Catholicism and organized education. The Archabbey stands like a fortress on a hill in the middle of lovely countryside where Kisalföld (Small Plains) meets the Bakony hills. The Abbey was founded in 996 by Prince Géza, King Saint István's father. Pannonhalma is the center of the Benedictine order in Hungary. Perhaps one of the most precious treasures of the Archabbey is the Foundation Deed of the Tihany Abbey, issued by King Andrew I in 1055. This invaluable document is the earliest known written material of the Hungarian language, which includes some 100 Hungarian words among the Latin text. We will have a guide from the Archabbey to show us around.
(Pannonhalma is also famous for its lavender grown around its gardens.)

VESZPRÉM: County seat with population of over 60 000. Queen Gizella, wife of St. István, was crowned here, hence the title, "Queen's Town". The bishopric of Veszprem was founded in 1001, and the establishment of the cathedral is linked to Queen Gizella. The cathedral is referred to in charters as the first and oldest bishopric cathedral of Hungary.

Lunch on your own.
NAGYVÁZSONY: Kinizsi Castle - This castle originating from the 14th century was extended in the 15th century in a Gothic style and refurbished in the 16th-17th century. Today the castle is a stage for Renaissance games and festivals. Go through the gate of the outer round bastion into the castle, then cross the bridge across the 'wolf pit' pit full of water and pass through the inner gate tower into the courtyard. This courtyard is surrounded by the buildings of the palace. Here stands the 29-metre high keep or 'old-tower' which is today a museum. From the courtyard steps lead to the chapel in which the most important sight is the red marble lid and its remnants of Pál Kinizsi's sarcophagus. The gravestone originally safeguarded the earthly remnants of the forceful commander in the church of the Pauline monastery he had founded. However, after the crumbling walls had collapsed onto the gravestone the sarcophagus was dug out and then broken open by treasure hunters in 1708. Pieces of the broken gravestone were placed in the castle.
Evening: NAGYVÁZSONY (lodging and group dinner)

Saturday, September 22

Breakfast in the hotel.

HEREND (10:00 a.m.): We will have a guided tour of the world famous porcelain factory of Herend, and a visit in the factory’s museum. The porcelain here is still formed and painted by hand. You will also have a chance to try your hands in making a porcelain figure.

Lunch on your own.

TIHANY: Remember the Foundation Deed? This Benedictine Abbey was founded in 1055, and King Andrew I is buried here. Tihany is a favorite tourist destination, and you will understand the reason once we are there. We will visit the Baroque Abbey Church and the Monastery. You will have free time to explore Tihany.