itenes

2_tappa: BUDAPEST-GYÖR

Budapest-Györ

Edited by Michele Lauro

The flow of the Danube leaves its mark on the countryside north of Budapest, tracing a deep line that the stage route will partially follow along its right bank.  

This area was the ancient hunting reserve of the Hungarian kings and is dotted with lovely towns and villages that sprung up in what was one of the southernmost provinces of the Roman Empire. Here, for centuries, the Limes line formed the border between the Roman world and the rest of Europe. Today, the 60 km stretch from Budapest to Esztergom is part of the Donauradweg, the Danube cycle path that crosses half of Europe, covering 3,000 km from Germany to the Black Sea delta. 

At Szentendre, the route cuts towards Visegrád, entering the Danube Nature Park (Duna-Ipoly Nemzeti), to tackle the short Svábvár climb in the Pilis mountain chain. Between Visegrád and Esztergom is the real bight of the Danube, where the river meanders almost at a right angle. Then the road leaves the river, zigzagging through the ondulating Maygar plains to the Pannonhalma hills, an ancient cultural and spiritual centre that developed around the famous Benedictine abbey. About 20 km of flat land separate Pannonhalma from Györ, a florid city at the confluence of three rivers, halfway between Budapest and Vienna.

Györ

In a beautiful setting, at the confluence of three rivers (Holt-Marcal, Rába e Rábca), Györ is the capital city of the Transdanubia, a rich region in northwest Hungary that traditionally gravitates towards Middle-Europe. The historical centre encompasses tranquil little squares and Baroque architecture, such as the 18th century Carmelite church, while the cathedral sports an unusual harmony of styles: Lombardic Roman lines, a Gothic chapel, a 17th century bell tower with bulb and neoclassical facade. The extensive pedestrian area is characterised by old, well restored buildings and a neat urban design that is embellished by numerous fountains and wrought iron signs above the shop doors.

 

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