Komarno - Fort Monostor - Gyor - Pannonhalma Abbey

Route: Budapest - Komarno - Fort Monostor - Gyor - Pannonhalma Abbey - Budapest
Duration: 9 h
Our first stop will be at the centre of the Danubeland, the town of Komarno lies on the confluence of the Vah and Dunaj. It is one of the oldest towns in Slovakia. The medieval town lived its greatest prosperity in the 15th century when the rulers and court of Kingdom of Hungary frequently stayed in Komarno. Komarno is widely known as a town with rich cultural and social life. The castle of Komarno became the main supporting point of the defensive system constructed against the Turks, after they occupied Buda and Esztergom in the years 1541-1543. The fort of Komarno is the largest bastion fortification in Central Europe. It originated in the years 1546-1557 by reconstruction of the 13th century castle. Komarno obtained the privileges of free royal borough from Empress Maria Theresa in 1745. During our visit you will see  sightseeings in Komarno like the former Zichy Palace, which is one of the dominant features of the  J. Klapku square. The palace was restored in 1989 and one part serves as the Museum of Danubeland,  the Neo-Renaissance town hall, the Courtyard of Europe is the name of a unique project of the architects grouped in the studio Europa in Komarno.  It is in fact the intention, now implemented, to build historic architecture typical for the individual regions of Europe in a styled form on a new square of Komárno. The common elements of the Courtyard of Europe and the historic core are the historic gates, each of which bears the name of one Hungarian ruler. Next across the  Danube river we will reach the Fort Monostor in Hungaria, built between 1850 and 1871, counts as the biggest Central-European fortress of modern history. This classicistic war historic monument, enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, offers a magnificent sight with its monumental walls built of carefully shaped and assembled stones, its ramparts covered with soil to a depth of 3-4 metres and its several kilometre long underground tunnel system (casemate network). Following its erection, the fortress served several generations of the Hungarian home defence forces. Apart from defending the central castle (North-Komárom), its staff also performed the task of controlling ship traffic on the Danube River. Our next stop in this tour we will make at the city located at the meeting point of three rivers, the Danube, Raba and Rabca, Gyor is often known as the “Town of Rivers.” One of Hungary’s largest industrial centers, Győr features some of the country’s most important buildings and monuments. Admire its well-preserved historic architecture and view the superb collections housed in its impressive museums. The Gyor Benedictine Church is a highlight of any visit to the city. Modelled after Rome’s Church of the Gesù, the Benedictine Church was the first church built by the Jesuits after they settled in Gyor in 1627. Notice its 18th-century towers and admire its monastery and school, which date back to the 17th century. View its altarpiece, ceiling and nave, all of which were painted by Austrian artist Paul Troger. Head to Kaptalan Hill, one of the oldest parts of the city, to find the Gyor Basilica. Note the range of architectural styles incorporated into its design, including foundations that date back to the 11th century, Romanesque apses, a neoclassical exterior and a Gothic chapel. Step inside and marvel at its impressive religious artifacts, including the Weeping Icon of Mary, an altarpiece said to have once cried tears of blood.Also you can see the Gyor’s main museum in the Apatur House, one of the city’s loveliest Baroque buildings or the House of the Iron Butt to see the Imre Patko Collection, a selection of treasures and artwork collected by journalist and art historian Imre Patko.Next we will visit to the Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey which is a medieval building in Pannonhalma, one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary and is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first Benedictine monks settled here in 996. They went on to convert the Hungarians, to found the country’s first school and, in 1055, to write the first document in Hungarian. From the time of its founding, this monastic community has promoted culture throughout central Europe. Its 1,000-year history can be seen in the succession of architectural styles of the monastic buildings (the oldest dating from 1224), which still today house a school and the monastic community. Its sights include the Basilica with the Crypt (built in the 13th century), the Cloisters, the monumental Library with 360,000 volumes, the Baroque Refectory and the Archabbey Collection (the second biggest in the country). After we return to Budapest.
Price: Per person