Balatongyorok

A beautiful lakeshore resort with a fabulous view over Lake Balaton, Balatongyörök won the 'most beautiful town in bloom' award. In the settlement there are numerous examples of vernacular architecture to be explored along with the archaeological site of a Roman bath.

In the 3rd century there was a Roman settlement including a bath on this location. It was on top of the ancient settlement that the medieval town was built.

In 1699 the settlement was referred to as Meszes-Györök, indicating that in addition to fishing residents primarily earned their living from lime burning.

The ground of the area is extremely rocky in places. In fact there is only a thin layer of topsoil covering a 60-70 centimetre thick rock bed. Some of the ancient names for the community indicate this characteristic: Stone Breast (Kőmell), Donkey Stone (Szamárkő) and Stone Room (Szobakű). The last alludes to a natural curiosity, a cave formed in a dolomite cliff, its walls distinguished by the shades of green and yellow mineral deposits.

The settlement officially received the name of Balatongyörök in 1902 and during the 1920's it was designated a holiday resort. It was in 1990 that the community won the European Prix d' Honneur title, for being 'the most beautiful town in bloom'.

Several remaining vernacular structures in Balatongyörök that were built in the 19th century may be seen, among them gable walled residences. There are several listed wine cellars with artistic stucco decoration on Bece Hill, part of the town.

On the edge of the town is the lookout tower of Beautiful View (Szépkilátó) that lies 140 metres above sea level. At the bottom of the hill there are remains of a villa from the Roman period that was excavated along with its bath and the so-called Roman spring that fed it. The archaeological finds are currently exhibited in the area of a youth camp that is based here. 

How to get there:
By car take Route 71 runs on the northern shore of the Lake Balaton. By railway, take the Tapolca-Balatonszentgyörgy line.