The History of Balatonkenese

Balatonkenese is the eastern gate of the Balaton, which has been open for visitors for a thousand years. 

Royal hunters, fishermen, courtiers, and other royalties resided here in the Middle Ages.

Traces of historical trials are preserved by the “dwellings” carved into the side of the Highland, which the Folk tradition calls Tartar holes. The Tartars could get through the frozen Danube in the winter of 1241-42 and burglarized every village on the way. According to the legend, that is when people carved these holes and caves into the walls so that they could find shelter in them. 

The holes are still accessible today. The holes were useful later on as well; grains, and fishing equipment were stored in them. For tourists in Balatonkenese, it is almost a “must” to see them and they are part of the Tátorján educational path.

The first golden years of Balatonkenese were during the reform age, the building of train trails, steamboating, and the presence of political and poetical elite all increased the popularity of the city.

During the second world war, Balatonkenese lived through several bombings, then progressed nicely, and it got gradually populated. At first vacationers filled it, looking for rest and relaxation, and then more and more chose to live here permanently in Balatonkenese, which got city status. 

Sights in Balatonkenese

Village Museum

Village Museum
The village museum under the address of Kossuth Lajos street 6 earned the title “village museum of the year” in 2011. 

Opening hours during the summer: Monday: closed, Tuesday-Thursday: 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm, Friday – Saturday: 10 am-12 pm and 2 pm – 6 pm, Sunday: closed

Contact: Tóth István: 00 36-30-237-79-05

Tátorján educational path

One of Blatonkene’s emblematic symbols is the reserved plant, the Tátoján.

From the city centre, a marked (T) path leads to its habitat, the Soós-mountain, which is an approximately one-hour walk at a comfortable pace. 

The board marking the beginning of the educational path is located in Táncsis Mihály street in front of the House of Culture. The recommended route of the educational path with many adventures is the southerner edge of the Soós mountain, followed by the caves in the walls of the highland, the Tartar holes, 

the Soós-mountain monument, where you can rest and enjoy the beauty of the view, then along the Petőfi street, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky street, and Batthyány street you will arrive back at the starting point of the path. 

the stops of the path are marked by boards, which educate our guests about the botanic, historic, and geographical values of the town. The educational path meets partially with the “yellow lane” marks starting from the train station, which also leads to the mountain top covered by Tátorján, with a beautiful view of the Balaton. 

Soós-mountain look-out tower and obelisk 

Following the Tátorján educational path/trail, at the top of the Soós-mountain, a fascinating view of Siofók, the Tihany peninsula, and sometimes even more emerges. On the mountain around a transmission tower, a look-out tower was built, so those who walk up can enjoy and even more beautiful view. 

Kisfaludy look-out tower in Balatonakarattya 

This lookout tower in Balatonakarattya was built at the roots of gigantic trees, from where people can gaze at the northern and southern shores of lake Balaton seeing the  Tihany peninsula, and the mountains of Badacsony and Fonyód.