Page 206 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

204  HUNGAR Y REGION B Y REGION SOUTHERN TR ANSD ANUBIA  205

stands on a small peninsula
that – as the castle’s name
suggests – was once an island.
The last waters receded about
the time the castle was
destroyed, in 1702, after an
explosion in the gunpowder
store. Some of the towers, part
of the living quarters and the
stables remain. The ruins are
a steep, 30-minute walk uphill
from the village, but the
picturesque thatched cottages
The Central Pavilion, dominating the relaxing warm waters of the thermal lake in Hévíz that line the route up and the
u Hévíz i Balatonederics és Állatkert). Founded in 1984 stunning views from the top
make the climb worthwhile.
6 km (4 miles) north of Keszthely. 14 km (9 miles) east of Keszthely. by a Hungarian big-game The village itself is dominated
Road Map B4. * 5,000. @ from Road Map B4. * 1,200. £ from hunter, Dr Endre Nagy, the by Esterházy Mansion, a Neo- Badacsony Mountain, as seen from Szigliget Castle
Keszthely. n Tourinform, Rákóczi Tapolca, Keszthely. @ from Tapolca, museum is home to Nagy’s Classical 19th-century building,
utca 2, (83) 54 01 31. Keszthely. hunting trophies and ethno- now a hotel for the exclusive Grey Friar wine (Szürkeberát) squares and colourful
graphical memo rabilia that use of the Hungarian Writers’ can be sampled. The second 19th-century houses. Many
With its vast Central Pavilion in Balatonederics is one of the he collected in Tanzania. In Union. The hotel’s exten sive wine-press house on the trail have been converted into
the middle of what is the oldest settlements on Lake the Safari Park, African animals gardens are open to the public. was once Kisfaludy’s home, bars and restaurants, with
world’s largest thermal water Balaton, its name first including buffalo, zebra and Szigliget also has a pleasantly and today is also a wine cellar terraces overlooking the lake.
lake, Hévíz is a spectacular mentioned as long ago as camels – which can be ridden – quiet grass beach and an offering tastings. There are An early 19th-century
sight. Covered with Indian 1262. The Roman Catholic roam freely, next to original attractive harbour, always great views from its terrace. watermill in the middle of
water lilies, which flower church that stands in the Masai huts. cheerful with its show of Passing Rose Rock, where the the mill pond is now the Hotel
in early September, Lake village centre was built about colourful sailing boats. couple met, the trail continues Gabriella. What most visitors
Hévíz has been used for the same time, originally as O Africa Museum and Safari Park to the top, from where longer, really come to Tapolca for,
bathing and treatments a Roman esque structure. Kültelek 11. Tel (87) 46 61 05. p Badacsony more strenuous hikes depart how ever, is the Cave Lake
since 1795. Up to It received its present Open Apr–Oct: 9am–4pm daily for two other hills, Gulács-hegy (Tavas-barlang), a short walk from
30 m (98 ft) deep, Neo-Gothic look (to 5:30pm Jun–Aug). & 8 7 Mountain and Szent György-hegy. the town centre. The lake lies
the lake has a surface during renovation ∑ afrikamuzeum.hu 30 km (19 miles) east of Keszthely. 18 m (59 ft) below the surface.
area of 47,500 sq m work in 1870–71. Road Map B4. * 2,400. £ from It was dis covered by accident
(56,800 sq yards) The Holy Trinity Tapolca. @ from Tapolca. 4 from a Tapolca when a well was being sunk
and a temperature monument in o Szigliget Keszthely, Fonyód. n Tourinform, 26 km (16 miles) northeast of Kesz thely. in 1902, and is reached via
of 36º C (96.8° F) front of the church 20 km (12 miles) east of Keszthely. Park utca 14, Badacsony, (87) 43 10 46. Road Map B4. * 18,000. £ from a steep staircase. Part of the
in summer. It is Fountain in front of the entrance dates from 1871. Road Map B4. * 1,000. £ from Budapest, Keszthely. @ from Budapest. 300-m (328-yard) cave system
replenished by to Hévíz thermal baths An exclusive resort Keszthely. @ from Keszthely. Beginning at the railway station n Tourinform, Fő tér 17, (87) 51 07 77. can be seen from dry land,
a spring that without hotels, 4 from Keszthely. in lovely Badacsony village is though much more can be
produces 420 litres (92 gallons) Balaton ederics nevertheless a well-marked and fairly gentle Encircled by 14 cone-shaped explored in a rented boat.
of water per second. Even in welcomes hundreds of Underneath the ruins of the trail, sign posted in yellow, hills of basalt rock, Tapolca has
winter the water temperature thousands of day trippers a year, 13th-century Szigliget Castle which winds its way up to one of the most specta cular T Tapolca Cave Lake
never drops below 28º C all visiting its Africa Museum (often referred to as Óvár, Old the Kisfaludy Look out Tower settings of any town on Lake Kisfaludy utca 3. Tel (87) 41 25 79.
(82.4° F). The water is slightly and Safari Park (Afrika Múzeum Castle), the village of Szigliget at the top of Badacsony Balaton. Equally pictur esque is Open Jul & Aug: 9am–8pm daily;
radioactive and recomm- Moun tain (437 m/1,434 ft). the thermal pond in the centre Sep–Jun: 10am–4:30pm daily. &
ended for the treatment of An extinct volcano, this offers of the town, encircled by little ∑ tavasbarlang.hu
rheumatism and arthritis. It the best hiking in the Balaton
also tastes surprisingly good, area, with spectacular views
and is used to treat stomach from the top across the lake.
disorders. The radioactive On the way up, almost
mud from the lake floor is hidden among the vineyards
also therapeutic. that cover the volcanic soil, are
Although most patrons prefer two superb former wine-press
to bathe outside, even in winter, houses. The first, 3 km (2 miles)
there is a small indoor pool. from Badacsony, is the Róza
Hévíz also has the best range Szegedy House, named after
of hotels in the area. the wife of the 18th-century
poet Sándor Kisfaludy. The
 Lake Hévíz couple met on the mountain
Dr Schulhof Vilmos sétány 1. Tel (83) and the house contains a small
50 17 00. Open May–Oct: 8am–7pm display dedi cated to Kisfaludy’s
daily; Nov–Apr: 9am–6pm daily. poetry, as well as a wine cellar
& 7 ∑ spaheviz.hu A camel at the Africa Museum and Safari Park in Balatonederics where the locally produced Tapolca’s unique attraction, the mysterious Cave Lake
For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285

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