Budafok-Tétény Online

“High land over the water”

Promontor was the matching Latin name given to the place that is now called Budafok by the ancient Romans who stationed on the neighbouring Nagytétény. This region of unrivalled beauty, now Budapest’s 22nd district, still has many treasures for its visitors to discover. Join us on a real time trip and get ready for the encounter of past and present! Where should we begin our exploration of old-new Budafok-Tétény? Where the old Danube says goodbye to Budapest and heads south, where timeworn steps join the evocative alleys of the hills rising above the river, where we can taste authentic Swabian specialities to the accompaniment of sramli music and wash them down with high quality Hungarian wines in the vaulted wine catacombs of Europe’s biggest network of cellars; a stone’s throw away from the world of multiplex cinemas and gleaming shopping centres, where we can enjoy a ramble through history under and above ground. In the halls of aristocratic castles, under crosses of pilgrim routes, at the stones of Roman fortresses, in caves or among the statue golems of the recent past. However, don’t forget to bring a walking-stick, riding boots, a helmet, swimsuit, golf-clubs, bicycle, a cocktail dress andopera glass, sunhat, fishing rod and sailor’s cap! You will need them all in this South Buda district.

Did you know that Promontor, the Roman name of Budafok, means “cliff, lofty peak”?
Guardians of the traditions of Budafok-Tétény: www.klauzal.hu, www.peterpalkor.hu, www.baratikorok.hu, www.rozsavolgyegyesulet.hu, www.budatetenyikor.hu

“From Campona to Campona”

Two thousand years and countless relics of the history of Budafok-Tétény

On our walk around the district, the monuments that have survived speak volumes about the past and vividly guide us through the whole history of Budafok-Tétény. Considering the proximity of Aquincum it is not surprising that the remains of a Roman fortress have been unearthed in the area that is now called Nagytétény, not far from the recently built impressive 53,000 square metre entertainment and shopping centre bearing similar name. In space there are only a few kilometres between the new and the ancient Campona, but in time they are separated by thousands of years. The fortress (castellum) and military settlement built under the rule of Emperors Domitianus and Hadrianus was a part of the Roman limes. The excavated finds can be seen in the Hungarian National Museum and in the stonework of the nearby Száraz – Rudnyánszky Castle known as the CastleMuseum of Nagytétény. In autumn during the “Ancient Jolly Days” event for two days the park of the castle is turned into a lively Roman scene, becoming the garden of the “amorous centaur” offering a true to-life presentation of a ncient objects, music, martial arts, artistic and scientific life. After the conquest of Hungary Nagytétény (then Tétény) became the winter residence of one of Árpád’s leaders, Töhötöm. In 1264 Béla IV established a monastery on the then Csút Island (today Háros Island), where King Ladislaus IV the Cumanian convoked the Diet in 1279 for the settlement of the Cumanian question. In 1482 King Matthias donated the monastery and its lands to the Pauline Order, but it was destroyed together with the village under the Turkish occupation.

You will find much valuable information on the European limes and the Roman relics of Hungary at www.ripapannonica.hu, www.mult-kor.hu

From 1720, after 150 years of Turkish rule, Tétény was resettled by the famous castle builder, György Száraz, and later by his daughter, Júlia, and son-in-law, József Rudnyánszky. Száraz–Rudnyánszky Castle of Nagytétény is one of the pearls of Hungarian late Baroque architecture, and currently the only furniture museum of the country. Nearby stands Our Lady Parish Church with the Baroque Holy Trinity memorial column in its garden erected in memory of the plague in the 1740s. The history of today’s Budafok-Tétény began at the time of the reconstruction. Explore the entire history of Budafok-Tétény by walking on its oldest street packed with the architectural relics we inherited. In 1717 Prince Eugene of Savoy settled Swabian peasants, tradesmen and winegrowers (Donauschwaben) around his new castle. They built homes in Brunnthal Valley, now Péter-Pál utca, and soon brought prosperity to Tétény and Promontor. Peter-Paul Chapel erected to commemorate the plague epidemic of 1739–40 marks the beginning of the Way of the Cross; the last station on this route carved in limestone is located above Calvary cave. On our walk we must not leave out the Baroque Saint Leopold Parish Church on Savoyai Jenő tér (square) and Saint Michael Chapel of Budatétény, built in 1780.

Information on the Peter-Paul Heritage Days: www.peterpalkor.hu

As of 1886 the village of Promontor enjoyed a spectacular boom: food and light industries began to develop, bringing about the assimilation of the local Germans. In 1883 it adopted the Hungarian name of Budafok. From the mid-19th century factories and plants were set up, for example beer, sparkling wine, yeast, cheese, matches, printing inks, enamel ware factories, as well as Chinoin and Metallokémia. Mansions and upper middle class halls were built. A brandy distillery once operated in the cellars of Czuba– Durozier Mansion built under the influence of French Romanticism in 1887 and today awaiting better days. Törley Mansion, the home of the deceased sparkling wine plant owner, partly still open to visitors, built on the model of French baronial castles at the turn of the century is one of the emblematic buildings shaping the image of Budafok. Next to it is the faithfully restored secessionist Sacelláry Mansion, once built for Törley’s wife. The last member of this family building complex is the domed secessionist Törley Mausoleum decorated with oriental ornaments, built on the hill. The secessionist Town Hall built in 1929 is an important national monument to this day. Budafok was given town status in 1926 under mayor Nándor Záborszky. In 1950, together with Budatétény and Nagytétény, it was attached to Budapest as its 22nd district. A considerable part of the districthas preserved its village-like, suburban nostalgic atmosphere. Of the 300 cellar dwellings that were closed by the end of the 1960s only one has survived as a relic, which can be visited by appointment.

For more information on the castles of Budafok- Tétény: www.kastely.lap.hu, www.sacellarykastely.hu

One of the major investments of recent years was the section of ring road M0 crossing over the district and opened in 1990 together with Háros bridge. The Statue Park with its 41 monumental relics of the recent past is the only collection of its kind in Europe. A visit here is a must for anyone who wishes to learn about the history of Hungary. Since 1999 local people have been able to enjoy the benefits of Campona shopping and entertainment centre: the 11 multiplex cinema halls, the shops offering a wide range of international brands, the many fast food restaurants, the gaming halls and the 3000 square metre Tropicarium, which is unique in Hungary. With the Media Center Campona located beside the shopping centre and also housing RTL Klub Television, Budafok has become the leading entertainment and media centre of the South Buda region. This position is further strengthened by the numerous programmes of Klauzál Gábor Cultural Centre and the services of Hajós Alfréd Training Pool of Budafok- Tétény, as a sports facility. The district’s internationally renown Dohnányi Ernő Symphony Orchestra of Budafok and Budafok Big Band are also frequent guests of the cultural centre. The Fodor family of musicians receive their guests at an authentic venue, the 150-year-old Vojnovich–Huszár Villa, reviving the best traditions of home music-making. The culminating event of Budafok-Tétény’s cultural life is the Budafok-Tétény Spring Arts Festival. The cited cultural venues, the private galleries and community centres all participate in the colourful programmes.

For more cultural information on Budafok-Tétény: www.keramiapark.hu, www.vojnovich.hu, www.klauzalhaz.hu, www.fesztival22.hu, www.nagytetenyi.hu, www.tropicarium.hu, www.promontortv.hu

On our historical walk we have already mentioned Száraz – Rudnyánszky Castle known as the Castle Museum of Nagytétény with its permanent exhibition tracing the history of European hand-made furniture art in a unique way from Gothic art to Biedermeier. In addition to over 300 pieces of furniture, stoves, chandeliers, carpets, wall hangings, ceramic, glass and metal objects displayed in more than 28 halls help to create the home interiors of five centuries. In spring, during the “Ages – Flowers” exhibition the castle and its park bursts into bloom. On this occasion beautiful floral arrangements of famous florists are displayed in the halls. The scented and spicy atmosphere of Advent filled with expectation is getting more and more linked to the castle museum, whose “Christmas in the Castle” exhibition open in the entire December and programmes have become an essential part of the holiday preparation for many.

Useful information on the life of the castle: www.nagytetenyi.hu

Budafok, town of grapes and wine

It would be hard to find another European capital with a district endowed with such considerable historical wine culture as Budapest’s 22nd district, whose historic monuments and programmes are at all times permeated by the profound wine culture. Many street names allude to the wine cultivation of the past and the wine-making process: Akó (a measure of capacity), Borkő (winestone), Donga (stave), Pezsgő (sparkling wine), Pincemester (cellarmaster), Rizling (riesling), etc. Although the area itself has never belonged to any of the wine regions, fine wines from all Hungarian regions can be found in the cellars of Budafok, offering visitors a full cross-section of the famous wine-growing regions. The opened interrelated cellar system of 40 kilometres beneath the town, is unique in Europe. The storage capacity of nearly 100 million litres beneath the hills, the bottling plants, the cellars where sparkling wine is matured, the evocative cellar visits and wine sampling, the artistically carved old barrels and winemaking implements are all part of the image of today’s Budafok-Tétény. A unique feature of the Budafok-Tétény cellars is that they are not built of bricks but have been carved out of the bedrock. The world’s largest wooden barrel in use can also be seen here, in Hungarovin-Leanderes (Sörház utca) cellar since 1974. The legendary Borkatakomba (Wine Catacomb) Restaurant was established in the then called Brückner wine cellar consisting of several branches and besides offering delicious dishes it also houses a viniculture museum devoted to the ancient trade. An emblematic building of Budafok-Tétény’s wine culture is György Villa, built as a classicistic mansion in 1825 and altered to its present form in 1867 by wine merchant György Dőry; it is now the guesthouse of Hungarovin. The private and family cellars also play a big part in hospitality adding variety to local wine tourism through their own products and individual atmospheres. Debreczeni Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet, Garamvári Szőlőbirtok, Héleman Borbarlang, Hungarovin Leanderes Pince, István Bortrezor és Pince, Katona Borház, Kőnig Pince, Lics Pincészet, Promontorbor Szőlő és Borgazdasági Zrt., Seybold-Garab Pince, Sümegi és Fiai Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet, Törley Pezsgőpincészet Kft., Záborszky Pince are but a few of the names of major importance. The cellars can be visited by appointment. The first viticulture training in Hungary was launched at Budafok-Tétény in 1901. The 4-hectare wine-lands as model farm of BCE Soós István Vocational Secondary and Trade School of Viticulture and Business ensures of the traceability of the wine-making process from the first step to the sales activity. Owing to the technical developments effected in the past 15 years the produced wines are of increasingly good quality, which is sustained by the range of bottled wines known as the “Capital’s Wine” indicating a unique production area. How can you visit all of the district’s wineries accompanied by music in a single day? Every year since 1990 in early September the Budafok Sparkling Wine and Wine Festival hosts this prestigious eventthat is now recognised as one of Budapest’s best gastronomic festivals. For three days visitors of all ages are certain to find enjoyable activities among the varied programmes offered by cellars and stages. From early morning till late night wine-growers and cellarmasters await gourmets with excellent wines, tasty snacks and vocational initiation programmes. One of the attractions of the festival are the initiation ceremonies of Promontórium Wine Order and Chevaliers Törley Sparkling Wine Order. The Nagytétény Vintage Festival organised by Nagytétény Civil Circle begins with the blessing of the grapes, followed by a spectacular historical parade along the streets of Nagytétény.

For more “wine programmes” in Budafok-Tétény: www.budafokiborfesztival.hu, www.szuret.hu, www.torley.hu, www.palacecatering.hu, www.gyorgyvilla.hu, www.garamvariszolobirtok.hu, www.istvanpince.hu, www.katonaborhaz.hu, www.licspince.hu, www.sumegi.hu, www.zaborszky.co.hu, www.borvilla.hu, seybold-garab.com, www.promontorbor.hu, www.soos-bp.sulinet.hu

Sport and walking in the area around Budafok

Emerging from the showrooms and cool wine cellars, it is a pleasure to take a shorter or longer stroll through nature around Budafok. You would be surprised how many sports opportunities such stroll offers. The 11-hectare area of the Tétény Plateau belonging to Budafok-Tétényhez is under special protection. Its flora and fauna represent outstanding natural values not only in Hungary but also ona European level. The Pasque Flower, Red Viper’s Bugloss, Military Orchid and Colchicum Arenarium can be seen here, as well as numerous species of spiders and butterflies, the Pannonian Lizard, amphibians and birds. Next to this protected area lies the 36-hectare golf complex, Budapest Highland Golf Club & Academy. The ninehole course of almost 3000 metres is an impressive sight. The Foundation for Horses and Riding registered in 2000, together with the 30-year-old Dunapart Riding Club of Tétény opened its new riding-school on the north side of Duna-telep in November 2008. They welcome keen riders from the age of ten with competitions, summer camps, specialised training and cheerful club events. The district’s 9-kilometre river and floodplain stretch remains a determinant area of this sight. Right up to the Second World War the water quality was suitable for bathing and forest walks were built along the banks, where inns served Budafok wines to villagers. In Háros Bay we find the friendly fishing camp of Baross Gábor Fishing Association that has been providing successful angling for its members since 1946. The camp offers a clear view of the opposite peninsula, a nature protection area densely covered with old trees and bushes. More traditional forms of exercise can be practiced in the district’s fitness clubs, Budafok Fitness, Bakos Fitness, Budafitness Tétény among others, offering aerobics classes, weightlifting and saunas. Another pleasant way to spend your time is to visit to the privately owned Álomautó (Dream Car) Museum/Exhibition where some 60 European and American veteran car wonders are displayed on an area of 3700 square metres in Lion Court, in the centre of Budafok-Tétény. Budatétény Rose Show, opposite Campona building, – is actually a research area, open to the public only for the fortnight when the roses burst into full blossom. More than fifty years ago rose breeder Dr. Gergely Márk dreamed and created what was then Europe’s second biggest Rosarium. At the time of its foundation it comprised 2740 varieties. This number has now dropped to 1300 and only 2.5 hectares are left of the original 10. It is the common intention of the local government and civil circles to develop the Rosarium and connect it to the district’s tourism.

For more information on leisure opportunities in Budafok-Tétény: www.harosihorgaszat.hu, www.lolok.hu, www.highlandgolf.hu, www.alomautokiallitas.hu, www.budafitness.hu, www.zoldjovo.hu