Zirc, Bakony hills
More information
Zirc is a town in Veszprém county full of interesting things to see and do such as the:
Zirc Abbey, a Cistercian abbey
Bakony Museum of Natural Sciences, situated in the territory of Zirc Abbey
Reguly Antal Memorial Library
Zirc Arboretum
Reguly Antal Ethnographic Museum and Folk Art Workshop
The most important sight in the town is undoubtedly the Abbey and the arboretum.
Most probable that the foundation was made by Béla III, King of Hungary (1182), as the monastic domain was formerly a royal farm. Besides this grant, on which now stands the town of Zirc, many other donations were made to the abbey, which soon became one of the most celebrated in the country. It was rich not only in temporal possessions but also in the spirit of fervour and religious regularity. By 1526 the ravages of the Ottoman invasion of Hungary had depopulated the monastery, not one religious remaining at the end of the year.
After World War II and the Soviet takeover of Hungary, many of the monks gradually escaped the country. A large number of them went to Wisconsin (USA) and to Dallas Texas.
Today the Zirc Abbey is a flourishing Cistercian centre. The present abbot is Dekany Sixtus who was elected in 2011 by the Convent of Zirc.
If you are looking for accommodation in the area click "book now". You don't have to pay in advance but when you arrive. Free cancellation on most rooms.
If you are interested in our private tour to the abbey and arboretum leaving from Budapest write to us to: contact@undiscoveredhungary.com