HISTORY OF TIHANY
The largest shallow lake in Central Europe is divided by the Tihany peninsula into two basins. The characteristic view of the Mediterranien landscape was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago as shown today by two giant calderas. The remains of these craters form two little lakes, wiithout outlet: Belső-tó, which is popular with anglers, and Külső-tó, a paradise of aquatic birds.
As a result of volcanic follow-up activity, thermal springs created more than one hundred geyser hills in the peninsula. The most beautiful one is called Aranyház (Golden House) after the golden lichen covering its rocks.
Beside geolocical features, the peninsula is famous for its exceptional wildlife: the area became the first nature reserve of Hungary in 1952.
The ancient Tihany village was founden in the Middle Ages when King Andrew I founden here in 1055 a burial-place for the royal family and built a monastery, where Benedictine monks were settled. The Abbey of Tihany was authorised in the 13th century to issue official deeds.
During the Turkish times, in the 16-17th century, the monastery, wich had been transformed into a fortress, was demolished. It was rebuilt in baroque style in the 18th century and became a symbol of Tihany.
HISTORIC PLACES
Ancient fortification
The oval entrenchment system of the hill called Óvár, the largest and relatively well-preserved earthwork of the Balaton region, was built around the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. It was princely residence and provided shelter for the people in times of war.
Knollgraves
A several meter high knoll was built of limestone and carth over the graves of the princes of the carthwork in the southern hillside next to the present graveyard. A part of the knollgraves were dug up in the early seventies: potsherds, bronze jewellery and charred grains of wheat were found in cremation graves.
Hermits’ place
In the eastern slope of Óvár, Greek Orthodox hermits hollowed out their cells, a chapel and a dining room from the rock sin the 11th-14th century. This is the only hermits’ place which is relatively well-preserved in Central Europr. Its local name is Barátlakások (Friar habitations). Not far from here, you can fint the Ciprián spring, previously called Russian fountain, which is the only spring of Tihany.
Calcary
The most beautiful 20th century calvary of the country was built within a few years time, beginning in 1926. The stones with inscription and bronze relief symbolise the suffering on Christ and the Way of the Cross. The stone cross of Christ, in the background, there are three knoll built of limestone blocks and the bronze memorial of Hungarian King Charles IV. The structures of the Calvary were demolished in 1960.Rebuild started in the year 1998, then on October 15, 2000 the by then finished three Station pillars and the temporarily erected three wooden crosses were inaugurated.
Echo
Records from the early 19th century say that words shouted from the Echo hill return from the northern wall of the church building. The earliest Balaton guide-book, issued in 1848, says that guest in Füred take wxcursions to Tihany tol isten to the echo because the churs wall clearly returns voices up to 15 syllables. The Echo of Tihany, a topic covered by famous poets, has benn gradually fading since the sixties buti t can be still enjoyed especially in windless, quiet evenings.
The church bulding and its neighbourhood
King Andrew I. founded a monastery and a royal burial-place in Tihany in 1055. Monastery life ceased in the middle of the fifteen hundreds when the building was transformed into a fortress against the Turks, who never occupied it. The fortress, of which no detailed plans have remained, was demolished in the Kuruts times in the 17th century. The walking way between the Echo hill and the church is named after Castellan István Pisky. The Pannonhalma Arch-Abbacy got hold of the monastery and the property of the Tihany Abbey in 1716. The present buildings were completed in 1754.
From Pisky Promenade, there is nice view of the most beautidul harbour of Balaton and the mole built between 1909 and 1911.
Pale hill
The name Nyársas-hegy, which is located next to the place where a fortress stood in the Middle Ages, goes back to the times when the soldiers of the fortress impaled the turks who abducted Hungarian women and screwed the peasantry.
Gallows hill
In 1714, King Sigismund granted jus gladii, power of life and death, to the Abbey to arrest, convict and execute malefactors. This was the spot where the gallows pole was erected.
Akasztó-domb was also a place of special fishing method, practised only in Tihany. One of the fishermen called ’hill walker’ climbed up to the top of the hill, followed the movement of the pelecus (’the seen fish’) shoal and gave instructions to the fishermen waiting in the boat to lay the net.
Church ruins at Ujlak
The ruins of the church – the sanctuary wall still stands – are located at the southern part of the peninsula. They keep the memory of an ancient ferry village.
Church ruins at Apáti
Two of the three settlements of Tihany peninsula, Ujlak and Apáti were demolished in the Turkish times and only the church ruins remained. The church ruins at Apáti are located at the northern part of the peninsula. The rebuilt church dates back to the 12nd-13th century.
ART MEMORIALS
Calvinist church, belfry
The Calvinist church, built in 1793, is a simple building with a square groundplan. The belfry, standing on four white columns and covered with shingle, is located west of the church building.
Former wine cellar and press-house of the Abbey
Tihany became significant wine-district at the time of the foundation of the monastery. The cellar and the press-house were built at the northern shore of Belső-tó in 1822 for processing and storing the vine grown in the property of the Abbey. The cellar has excellent wine also today.
Former granary of the Abbey
The granary built in the 19th century is the largest building of the village. Presently it serves as community centre.
Former house of the physician of the Abbey
The present post office building used to be the dwelling house of the physician of the Abbey. It was built in the 19th century.
Former farmstead of the Abbey
In the property of the Tihany Abbey, allodial farming has been taking place since the 18th century. The buildings of the former farmstead were built at the shore of Belső-tó next to the village in eighteen thirties. The sheepshed and the barn with eleven columns are still original.
Balaton Limnology Research Institute
The institute was founded for Balaton research and special biological research. The five pavilion swere was built in 1926-27.
Summer castle of Archduke Joseph Habsburg
The beautiful building, located at a 4 acre park, was built as a summer castle for Archduke Joseph Habsburg in 1924-25.
