ATTRACTIONS OF TAPOLCA

DISCOVER THE CITY

ORIGIN

Tapolca and its attractions

Tapolca is located 14 km's from Lake Balaton in the basin named after the town itself.

The Slavic originated word (Toplica) means warm water.

The town and surroundings have many sights and attractions:

The Mill Pond has a very romantic and mediterranic feel. The hot water springs that have their sources in this place have been blanked up and used for the mill. On the stage located on the surface of the pond are programs called Tapolca Summer in July and August year by year.

The School Museum has the greatest pedagogy historical collections of the Transdanubian region and takes place in the former cantor house. The class reminds us of the lessons in the turn of the century.

NATURAL RESOURCES

THE CAVE LAKE

The Cave Lake is the main attraction of Tapolca, which is a unique spectacle in Central-Europe. It was discovered in 1902 during a well-digging. The three level cave-system is covered by 19 degree water. It has a 300 meter long section which can be travelled around by boat. The extremely clean air and the high humidity are great help at the treatment of the patients suffer from respiratory illnesses.

The Garden of Ruins: The former central location of Tapolca takes place on Templomdomb (Chuch Hill). The slightly elevated wall of the medieval castle stands in front of the Roman Catholic Church along with the wolf-ditch, where the gate of the castle used to stand.

The Thermal Bath: The 38 degree calcium-magnesium-hydrocarbonate water that contains sulphate helps the patients suffer from rheumatical illnesses.

SIGHTSEEING IN THE AREA

DISCOVER THE TAPOLCA BASIN

VOLCANIC ENVIRONMENT

Area attractions

Tapolca-Diszel: The first settlement of Tapolca-Diszel had been during the Roman Ages ont he current property of the village. The First Hungarian Exhibition located in the reconstructed building of an old watermill.

Csobánc mountain: the ruins of Csobánc castle can be seen at the top. It offers beautiful views of the Tapolca Basin.

Szent György mountain: Mount St. George, 415 m high, is extremely rich in both natural and monumental attractions. His basalt organs are world famous.

Badacsony: Mountain Badacsony is a Southern member of the volcanic mountain chain of the Tapolca basin. Badacsony is a settlement, which is lying by the footing of this mountain and belongs in terms of administration to a larger village - Badacsonytomaj. The tourist paths, wine cellars, restaurants, places of interest and an entertainment centre are in the visitors' disposal. Those who are fond of clubs, amusement or any kind of active rest may relax here as well.

NATURAL RESOURCES

LAKE BALATON

Lake Balaton is 14 km from Tapolca, and can be easily reached by car, train or bus. It is also called the "Hungarian Sea", which with its 595 km2 water surface is the largest lake in Hungary and Central Europe. It is especially popular with its rapidly warming water. Its color is greyish blue or green depending on ripples and reflections. It freezes in very frosty cold winters, the water is then also suitable for ice skating for winter sports.

Szigliget: The expanded settlement is divided by forests and smaller mountains, the highest one is 242m tall and it is a castle hill, in fact the symbol of the village. The 730 year old ruins of the castle are towering on the cliffs of the castle hill, the ruins are under continuous restoration, the view of the settlement is beautiful, the remnant hills of the Tapolca basin, the Keszthely mountain chain, the mirror of the lake Balaton, the Somogy shore, the Antal Hill, the Külső hill ("outer"), the Belső ("inner") hill, the Óvár hill are covered by peasant style houses, cottages and wine cellars - all are looking forward to visitors. Places of interest: the Eszterházy castle, the Artists House for Writers, the Arboretum, the Eszterházy cellar, Csonkatorony ("tower"), castle ruins from the middle ages on the Óvár hill, the Tóti-Lengyel mansion by the footing of the Várhegy and the Szigliget Gallery.

Balatongyörök: Tourists can enjoy the only panorama here, from the deservedly famous Szépkilátó.

A LITTLE RENAISSANCE

Keszthely and its surroundings

Keszthely: The settlement is situated on the North West corner of Balaton with the population of 23.000 and deemed to be a capital city of the region firstly because of its hospitality which is intact both in summer and in winter.

Keszthely is not only a lavish cultural and educational centre with a pinch of traditions but one of the most crowded towns along the shore. The fame of the town has been founded by the Festetics family and Georgikon, which is the first agricultural school in Hungary.

The cosy town picture, museums, monuments, exceptional cultural events and closeness of Hévíz explains why this settlement is the mostly visited one in the Balaton area. The Kis-Balaton and Keszthelyi mountain chain may prove that the geographical characteristics of the town are excellent. The summer season programmes start already at the end of April with a Helikon celebration. This is a an important cultural review organised for Trans Danubian school children.

THERMAL WATER

Sights of Hévíz and its surroundings

The spa centre is situated at an 8 km distance from the Western edge (Keszthely) of the lake Balaton.

The hévízi lake is the biggest mineral water lake of volcanic origin in Europe, its territory is 4,5 hectare, the depth - at the deepest point - is 38 meters. The water of the lake is nourished by a few thousand year old karst spring, the sulphur content of the water cures rheumatoid disorders, the boggy mud from the lake's bottom holds medicinal value as well.

The average temperature of the lake during the major part of the summer is between 33-35 C but when the weather is calm and windless the temperature may reach even 38 degrees Celsius. During winter the lake is suitable for bathing or swimming, its temperature is between 22-26 degrees C. The puffing up steam clouds and the Indian red water lilies are making the lake even more fascinating. The spa consists of 6 pools, 2 of them are warm, 2 pools are filled with medicinal water and 2 other ones are for sports activities, plus the lake.

The landscape is brightened up by a dew raised by the Mediterranean steam and serves not only for health care purposes but has a refreshing effect too.