Folly Arboretum, Badacsonytomaj

This arboretum established in the early 1900's is home to exotic species like cedars, cypresses, Syrian junipers (Juniperus drupacea), grey pines (Pinus sabiniana), Coulter pines (Pinus coulteri), and coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens).

The arboretum which has an interesting history was created by Dr. Gyula Folly, a medical doctor from Pécs. He attempted to collect species which thrive in the climate of the Balaton and at the same time are drought tolerant.

He ordered the trees from foreign, mainly Western European, nurseries where they had been grown for several years. No horticultural design preceded planting, as nobody was familiar with the final dimensions of the unknown trees.

The death of the founder and World War I halted the development and the family's activities were restricted to taking care of the existing trees. In 1950 the family estates were nationalised with the miraculous exception of the arboretum which remained in their care. This resulted in the peculiar situation of the second-generation 'owner', economist Dr Gyula Folly PhD, planting trees on state land at his own expense and obviously taking care of them too.

Later, agricultural engineer Gyula Folly took charge and to this day he continues the maintenance of the 5-hectare arboretum. The area is today strictly protected and belongs to the Badacsony Landscape Protection Area (Tájvédelmi Körzet).

Guided tours are available on prior request.