The Danube Bend can be explored in many different ways. We can
study the rich historical past of its royal towns, wonder around
in the narrow streets and small squares of Szentendre, travel by
boat on the River Danube, or explore the hidden treasures of the
area: small villages known for their rich tradition of art and
culture. Below we recommend three of these villages.
Leányfalu: Greetings to the River Danube
The village lies at the foot of the Pilis Hills, between Vöröskő,
Nyerges Hill and the Danube. Only 27 kilometres from Budapest,
Leányfalu is a popular holiday resort and part of the Danube-Ipoly
National Park. The village owes its popularity primarily to the
vicinity of the capital, some famous residents and many returning
holidaymakers.
The first waive of immigration to Leányfalu started in the
early 1900s. Initially only wine cellars and holiday homes changed
owners, but later many people converted these and started using
them all through the year. In addition to wealthy middle-class
families from Budapest, the new residents included the outstanding
Hungarian writer Zsigmond Móricz and several famous and
respected actors and opera singers. The appearance of well-known
people in the village resulted in a significant change in the life
of the small community. Leányfalu became busy with literary
and art events and some of the most renowned social figures visited
the village. The casino of Leányfalu was established in
1901, which greatly contributed to the development of the village
by focusing on several public activities as well as providing entertainment
to its wanna-be aristocratic membership. In an effort to maintain
and further improve the image of the holiday resort, the Social
Club of Leányfalu was set up. The bohemian Leányfalu
Society had more than 120 members, organising the annual Anna Balls,
concerts and theatre performances under the slogan “Greetings
to the River Danube”. Maintaining traditions was just as
important in Leányfalu as having fun. Representatives of
each and every handcraft were present in the Tradesmen’s
Club.
The current image of Leányfalu is determined by holidaymakers.
The village has 2,500 residents living in 500 family homes, in
addition to which there are as many as 1,700 holiday homes. Leányfalu
has remained one of the most popular hiding places in the Danube
Bend for artists who want to escape from the hustle and bustle
of big-city life. A museum of local history pays homage to the
artists, writers and poets who originally discovered Leányfalu
and made it so popular. In addition to the rich cultural life,
the undisturbed natural environment and the vicinity of the Danube
offer numerous possibilities for leisure activities.
Verőce: Gorka and the Verőce Artist Community
Another village that went through sudden development in the early
1900s is Verőce, formerly only known for agricultural activities.
After Budapest had become a metropolis, the residents from the
capital discovered and developed a liking for this picturesque
village in the Danube Bend. Some of the holiday homes built in
Verőce were designed by the best architects of the period
for wealthy tradespeople and middle class families from Budapest.
The Ybl Villa, the Villoner Hostel, the lido and the steam-boat
station were all built in the early part of the 20th century. Members
of the Hungarian intelligentsia and artist community also made
their entrance in Verőce, which soon became a trendy place
with writers, poets and actors settling in the village.
The ceramic artist Géza Gorka was one of the most renowned
representatives of Hungarian art at the beginning of the 20th century.
His former house in Verőce is currently a museum. It was thanks
to Gorka that this art form became internationally famous. The
artist started his career by studying pottery from Hungarian peasants
and then moved to Germany to find out about the latest trends of
20th century ceramics. The motifs used by Géza Gorka preserve
the traditions of Hungarian peasants and at the same time utilise
elements originating from Mesopotamia, Persia and the Renaissance.
His works are characterised by restraint, harmony and beauty. Gorka’s
art has been taken a step further by his daughter Lívia
Gorka, who is still active and is one of the major figures of Hungarian
avantgarde ceramics.
Verőce is home to an enthusiastic artist community made up
of resident and regularly visiting Hungarian and international
painters, sculpterers, writers and poets. Their works are regularly
on display in the Amaltheia Gallery, the Culture House and the
Gorka Museum.
Zebegény: in the Footsteps of István Szőnyi
Make sure you stop in this village on the left bank of the River
Danube if you want to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view over the
Danube Bend. The beauty of the river fully unfolds if viewed from
the steep streets, gardens and footpaths climbing up on the hillside.
Many artists have been captured by this view, including István
Szőnyi (1894-1960), who arrived in Zebegény in 1920.
A painter and graphic artist who was awarded the Kossuth Prize,
he was an outstanding representative of modern Hungarian art. His
art was fundamentally realistic, an individual mixture of using
impressionistic lights and realism. Szőnyi’s realism
was characterised by the sensitive eye of a painter and his deeply-felt
humanism.
The painter’s former home is currently a museum and its garden
includes the bench that became famous from one of the most well-known
Szőnyi paintings. István Szőnyi devoted a significant
part of his career to painting the panoramic view over the Danube,
by which he created a movement. Flocks of art students appear in
Zebegény each summer to participate in courses and learn
about different genres at the numerous local colonies of painters.
Thanks to these people, exhibitions are an almost constant phenomenon
in Zebegény. And the artists do not even mind if the spectators
surround their paintings while they are still in the making.
Other sights worth checking out in Zebegény include the
houses of Slovak immigrants who arrived here in the 18th century
and the Catholic church finished in 1909. Both the interior and
the exterior of the church are regarded as masterpieces of Hungarian
secession and what is especially interesting is that architect
Károly Kós used Transylvanian motifs as the basis
for his design.
Verőce: Gorka and the Verőce Artist Community