Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Uplands
Next comes the Uplands region, which on the map of Hungary is sandwiched between the
two previous sections. This region includes the wine-growing area of Tokaj, where vineyards
brought considerable privileges - and wealth, evident in the proud stone buildings from these
market towns, with their stoves, well-stocked kitchens and, of course, wine cellars.
Bakony and Balaton Uplands
A short walk from the Uplands region brings you to a water-powered mill and grape-press; a
washhouseandafirestationcomprisethe“centre”ofavillagefromthe BakonyandBalaton
Uplands , where stone and hornbeam were used for building. The four neatly aligned dwell-
ing houses reflect the varying financial standings of those living in the region in the early
twentieth century.
Western Transdanubia
Across the stream and to the right, Western Transdanubia - on the Austrian border - was
a poor region of clay soil and heavy rainfall, where houses were linked by covered verandas.
Here, a schoolroom is equipped with benches, slates for writing on, a towel and basin for
washing, and homespun schoolbags. The teacher's living quarters are at the other end of the
building, separated by a kitchen with an apron chimney, where the smoke goes out of a hole
in the roof.
Southern Transdanubia
Large adobe dwellings were typical of the wealthier, predominantly Protestant German and
Hungarian villages in Southern Transdanubia , in the southwest of the country - their
carvedgatewaysbigenoughforhaywains-buttherearealsowooden-framedthatchedbuild-
ings typical of the more isolated areas. The region has a strong tradition of wine-making -
it includes the areas of Szekszárd, which made the first Bull's Blood, and Villány - and you
can see evidence of that here.
The Small Plain
The section representing the ethnic German communities of the Small Plain , in northern
Transdanubia, seems far more regimented: neatly aligned whitewashed houses filled with
knick-knacks and embroidered samplers bearing homilies like “When the Hausfrau is cap-
able, the clocks keep good time”. The village layout here is designed to show the diversity of
the region: on one side of the street are stately brick buildings, while on the other are more
humble dwellings with earth walls and thatched roofs.
The Great Plain
Large adobe dwellings were also typical of the market towns on the GreatPlain . A Baroque
cottage from Sükösd has its visitors' room or “clean room” laid out for Christmas celebra-
tions with a nativity crib and a church-shaped box. Beyond the houses are stables and pas-
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