FERTŐRÁKOS

Fertorákos, one of the most interesting historic and scientific sites in Hungary, became part of the World Heritage in 2001. The popular recreation resort, which is famous for the quarry dating back to the Roman times, with the attractive force of Lake Ferto induces more and more people to visit the region near the Hungarian – Aus-trian border during the whole year. A lot of ancient and historic findings are the evidence of the varied and meaningful history of the village. The historical significance is greater than the present status of the village. The name of the village as “Racus” was first recorded shortly after the Hungarian conquerors settled in. King Imre the 1st donated the village nearby Lake Fertő-tó the Episcopacy of Győr and it remained their property during the Middle Ages unlike the other villages of the area, which became the property of Sopron town.

Fertőrákos already had a great importance in the 14th century. It became the real centre of the area and got the title of country-town during the Turkish menace. The Episcopacy of Gyor moved its headquarters temporarily to the village as well. One of the most remarkable evidences of its importance is the Episcopal Castle, which was built by three bishops of Gyor. The episcopacy laid great stress on developing the settlement: the best example for their endeavours is the Ascension Parish church, which was destroyed several times in the tempests of history, but was rebuilt again and again.

The round balcony of the high and strong tower of the monument church located in the centre of the villa-ge was used for observation and prevention against enemy incursions.

An interesting group of stone statues can be seen near the church; all of these statues evoke the historic past.

Besides obligations, the episcopacy bestowed several privileges on peasants: the public pillory from the 16th century, the only existent object of its kind in Hungary, can be seen in the centre of the village.

Later the village became one of the centres of the counter-reformation in Sopron County. After losing its importance, Fertorákos led the simple life of the nearby villages in the following years. After the deportation of the German inhabitants, the medieval structure and the unified architecture of the village were both luckily saved in the shadow of the iron curtain. A perpendicular wall crossed the Main Street, its fortified parts can still be seen. The newly rebuilt traditional house proves the rich past of the houses within the town walls, its pe-
diment and gab-
led roof were so characteristic of local buildings. Nowadays these houses are under protection. A potter’s workshop is available in the traditional house. The view of the village is complete with the evocative valley of the Rákos brook and the old water mill with the fresco and the sundial on its wall.

The visitors interested in monuments and old architecture can find many relics walking in the village. The unique wonderful private collection of Hungarian minerals can be seen in the Crystal Museum.

The inhabitants of the village earned their living by farming for centuries, but grape growing has always been dominant in the area.

Nowadays there are sunshades in the courtyards of the former peasant farms and the redecorated rooms and stables are ready to serve tourists.
The wine houses traditionally offer wines from the host’s own vintage made from the grapes of the excellent
wine lands.

PART OF THE WORLD HERITAGE

Fertőrákos, one of the most interesting historic and
scientific sites in Hungary, became part of the World Heritage in 2001. The popular recreation resort, which is famous for the quarry dating back to the Roman times,
with the attractive force of Lake Ferto induces more and more people to visit the region near the Hungarian – Aus-trian border during the whole year. A lot of ancient and historic findings are the evidence of the varied and meaningful history of the village. The historical significance is 

greater than the present status of the village. The name of the village as “Racus” was first recorded shortly after the Hungarian conquerors settled in. King Imre the 1st donated the village nearby Lake Ferto to the Episcopacy of Gyor and it remained their property during the Middle Ages unlike the other villages of the area, which became the property of Sopron town.

 

Fertőrákos already had a great importance in the 14th century. It became the real centre of the area and got the title of country-town during the Turkish menace. The Episcopacy of Gyor moved its headquarters temporarily to the village as well. One of the most remarkable evidences of its importance is the Episcopal Castle, which was built by three bishops of Gyor. The episcopacy laid great stress on developing the settlement: the best example for their endeavours is the Ascension Parish church, which was destroyed several times in the tempests of history, but was rebuilt again and again.

The round balcony of the high and strong tower of the monument church located in the centre of the villa-ge was used for observation and prevention against enemy incursions.

An interesting group of stone statues can be seen near the church; all of these statues evoke the historic past.

Besides obligations, the episcopacy bestowed several privileges on peasants: the public pillory from the 16th century, the only existent object of its kind in Hungary, can be seen in the centre of the village.

Later the village became one of the centres of the counter-reformation in Sopron County. After losing its importance, Fertorákos led the simple life of the nearby villages in the following years. After the deportation of the German inhabitants, the medieval structure and the unified architecture of the village were both luckily saved in the shadow of the iron curtain. A perpendicular wall crossed the Main Street, its fortified parts can still be seen. The newly rebuilt traditional house proves the rich past of the houses within the town walls, its pediment and gabled roof were so characteristic of local buildings. Nowadays these houses are under protection. A potter’s workshop is available in the traditional house. The view of the village is complete with the evocative valley of the Rákos brook and the old water mill with the fresco and the sundial on its wall.

 

The visitors interested in monuments and old architecture can find many relics walking in the village. The unique wonderful private collection of Hungarian minerals can be seen in the Crystal Museum.

 

The inhabitants of the village earned their living by farming for centuries, but grape growing has always been dominant in the area.

Nowadays there are sunshades in the courtyards of the former peasant farms and the redecorated rooms and stables are ready to serve tourists.
The wine houses traditionally offer wines from the host’s own vintage made from the grapes of the excellent
wine lands.

QUARRY

The name of Fertorákos is closely connected to the quarry on the hill situated in the north of the village. The estimated origin of the white trimmable Lajta limestone goes back about 10-12 million years, when the Pannon sub-sea covered the area. The operation of the mine started in the Roman times. Many fascinating big halls were created deeply under

the surface until mining was stopped in 1948. The limestone with beautiful motives was the favourite building material in the area.

It was used first of all in Sopron and Vienna for the construction of defensive walls, churches, public and private buildings. Extremely interesting geological and paleontological observations can be made on the walls and the 12-15 m high pillars of the big halls. The occurrences of the past millions of years can be read like in a diary on the alluvium of the ancient sea. The worldwide famous Cave Theatre offers high quality performances in the summer in the pillary cave system with excellent acoustics created with special mining technology. The performances and the theatre events mean a unique delightful experience due to the incredible natural environment and the wonderful scenery.

The area of the quarry (about 5 hectares) and the dry grassland around is the living and growing space of several protected animals and plants. The experience in the open-air museum can be increased by the unforgettable prospect to Lake Ferto and its environs from the lookout of the Rock-Buckthorn Study Path.

The metal statue by Gabriela von Habsburg stands on the plateau of the quarry like an exclamation mark. The Pan-European Monument symbolizing a piece of the “iron curtain” recalls the memory of the opening of the frontier in 1989.

MITHRAS – CHAPEL

There was a prosperous life in the village and its environs in 
the Roman times, which is proved by the numerous architectural relics and cemeteries. The most important relic of this era is the small Mithras Cave discovered between Fertorákos and Mörbisch. The Roman frontier guards brought the oriental mystery religion and created the rock chapel in honour of the Persian Grod of Sun about 2 thousand years ago. They erected an altar to honour Mithras, the god born from a rock. Following the reconstruction of the chapel, you have the possibility to recall the mystified past nowadays.

www.mithras.hu

Contact

Minden jog fenntartva © Fertőrákos 2021-2023
Készítette: Schubert Dávid

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