Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

200  HUNGAR Y REGION B Y REGION

y Keszthely nearby. During restoration work
in 1974, remains of 14th- and
Keszthely is the oldest of the towns that line the banks of 15th-century frescoes were
Lake Balaton. Many of its elegant streets effortlessly preserve discovered. Lost during the Turkish
the small-town atmosphere of the 19th century, when the occu pation, when the church
town was the sole property of the Festetics family, whose served as a fortress, these
represent the largest collection
Baroque family seat, Festetics Palace (see pp202–3), is one of Gothic frescoes remaining in
of Hungary’s finest stately homes. The town possesses Hungary. The fine rose window
one of the few genuinely sandy beaches on the lake, and above the western portal is also
it is also the cultural hub of Balaton. Since the conversion an original feature of the church.
in 2006 of a nearby former Soviet airfield into Hévíz-Balaton E Doll and Waxwork
Airport and the expansion of the M7 motorway, Keszthely’s Museum
attractions are more easily accessible than ever. Történelmi Panoptikum
Kossuth Lajos utca 10–11. Tel (83) 31
88 55. Open May–Sep: 9am–6pm;
Oct–Apr: 10am–5pm. &
∑ babamuzeum-keszthely.hu
The highlight of this complex of
museums is a collection of 700
porcelain dolls, each wearing the
traditional costume of one partic-
ular Hungarian village, together
with more than 200 scale models
of village buildings, including
houses, stables and churches.
More esoteric collections
include about 50 life-size wax-
works of eminent Hungarians,
from Árpád to Imre Nagy;
a museum of torture; and a
display of Renaissance wax-
Church and former monastery buildings on Keszthely’s main square modelled erotica. Don’t miss
the Snail Parliament, an aston-
P Festetics Palace (33-ft) spire is an 19th-century ishing 7-m- (23-ft-) long model
See pp202–3. addition. The crypt holds the of Hungary’s Parliament that was
tomb of György Festetics, made by Ilona Miskei from more
P Fő tér and Town Hall the patriarch of the Festetics family than four million sea-snail shells.
Polgármesteri Hivatal and uncle of István Széchenyi.
Fő tér. The church was origi nally built E Georgikon Farm Museum
At the heart of Keszthely is in Gothic style using stone taken Georgikon Majortörténeti
the attractive, bustling Fő tér, from an old Roman settlement Kiállítóhely
dominated on its northern side Bercsényi Miklós utca 65–7. Tel (83) 31
by the late Baroque, town hall. 15 63. Open Apr & Oct: 10am–5pm
The town hall was built after Mon–Fri; May–Sep: 10am–5pm Tue–
1769, although the façade was Sun. & 8 Hungarian and German
extensively remodelled in the only. 7 ∑ elmenygazdasag.hu
1860s. The square is one of Europe’s first Academy of
the hubs of the town’s charming Agriculture was set up here by
Verkli Festival in September, György Festetics, in 1797. This
when the air is filled by the working museum traces the
fluting tones of dozens of history of Hungarian agriculture
fairground and barrel organs. from Celtic times to the present
day. There are displays on wine
R Fő tér Church production in the Balaton area,
Fő téri templom as well as antique agricultural
Fő tér 5. Tel (83) 31 24 59. equip ment from Bronze Age
This grand building, towering tools to steam ploughs and an
over the southern side of the early motor tractor. Visitors can
square, is the former church and try their hand at traditional
monastery of the Franciscans, farming methods, and there
built in the 14th century. The tall Stained-glass window featuring the Virgin are animals to meet and farm
Neo-Gothic tower with a 10-m and Child in Fő tér Church buildings to explore for children.
For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285

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