Western Transdanubia - Culture

A popular destination in the Western Transdanubia region of Hungary is the town of Sopron located near Lake Ferto. In this city you will want to visit the amazing Water Towe, located in the centre of the city. From this location you can admire the entire city and the surrounding countryside.

Just a bit south of Sopron at Nagycenk, the Széchenyi Castle is another popular sightseeing destination. It is the home of Count István Széchenyi, who lived from 1791 to 1860. He was often referred to as the Greatest Hungarian leader. In Nagycenk, there is a steam locomotive which pulls carriages along the tracks of the Széchenyi Museum Railway. The ride consists of on a 3.6 km long track starting from the castle and ending at Fertőboz. It operates on weekends and holidays during the summer season.

If you travel to this region in February, you will enjoy attending the great Rennaissance Carnival in the town Gyula. The focus of the Carnival is to revive all of the joyful aspects of the ancient Renaissance culture and history. One of the highlights is traditional dinners served by servants dressed in period costume. The medieval fair is a very popular event. Crafts of the era are brought back to life. Iron smiths and potters demonstrate their craftsmanship along side of bakers making pita bread is baked in earthen ovens. You will enjoy authentic food and colorful costumes as the culture of the medieval period is cleverly re-enacted. , and period food and clothes pop up all over the place. The festival begins with a grand torchlight party featuring chestnut traders, wine knights, live oxen and more. Each night, dramas are performed next to medieval jousts and traditional games. Finally, the activities culminate in a splendid Renaissance ball.

The Carnival takes place near the Gyula Castle. This Gothic castle was built between 1403 and 1445. It has been extremely well preserved. The castle and its surrounding complex include several Castle Baths. The architecture of the structure is a magnificent sight to behold. Theatrical productions are staged here in the summer months.

The Children's Renaissance Carnival takes place right along side of the regular Carnival. This event takes place inside and outside of the castle. Children dress up in period costumes and enjoy ongoing entertainment from giant puppeteers, dancers, swordsmen, comedians and showmen. There are craft workshops, interactive games, story telling and other events for all age groups.

Visitors to this region, and other parts of Hungary, will be happy to know that border restrictions were lifted here last December. On the 21st of December, Hungary joined the Schengen Agreement which abolished systematic border controls between several participating European countries. Visitors can now cross the border of Hungary without restriction into Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. The recent control system between Hungary and Romania has also been changed to a more simplified process for residents of those countries and for visitors. At the Croatian border, Croatian citizens can enter the Hungary without passports. At this border, citizens only need to show valid identification according to the agreement made between Hungary and Croatia before the recent Schengen Agreement.

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