Lake Fertõ – World Heritage site

Lake Fertõ is situated on the territory of Austria and Hungary, and it is nominated jointly by the two countries for inclusion on the World Heritage list. Part of the Fertő-Hanság National Park, in 1979 it was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, and it is regarded as one of the internationally significant natural water areas of Europe. lt is the most western example of the Eurasian steppe lakes, and at the same time it is Europe's largest salt-water lake. The water is shallow, the depth of the water constantly changes, but on average it is always below one metre. lt has dried up several times, last time being between 1865-1871. It is fed mainly by two streams and rainwater, it has no natural drainage, its water is drained off by the Hanság main channel. The thick reed-beds and the 80 or so marshy areas form a veritable bird paradise. The landscape around lake Fertõ - Neusiedler See - is the result of a unique natural and geographical process, in which the still traceable cultural history of the ethnic groups that have followed one another here has played a significant role.

In the course of archaeological explorations tools from the 6th century BC, indicating human settlement were found. Celts and Romans lived here, for example the remains of a bath from the time of Marcus Aurelius (161-180) were found.

The settlements situated near lake Fertõ - Fertõrákos, Balf, Hidegség, Fertõboz, Hegykõ - have their origin in the Middle Ages.

The Kőszeg Hills

Blessed with rare plants, the Kőszeg Nature Reserve offers a number of tourist destinations including Hétforrás (Seven Springs), the 18th-century Stájerházak (Styrian Houses) and the 883-m peak of Írott-kő, the highest point in Pannonia. The village of Cák is famous for a row of protected thatched cellars housing a temporary exhibition on viniculture. There is a beautiful view of the countryside from the 13th-century chapel of St. Vid which is on a 568-m hill over the resort village of Velem. The village has a sub-alpine climate.

Vértes Hills

Picturesque valleys and rare plants can be seen in the Vértes Nature Reserve, where life existed as early as 10 million years ago, as attested by animal bones and the remains of a three-toed pre-historic horse discovered in the Esterházy Cave on Guba Hill above Csákvár. Secluded in the Fáni Valley are the finest plants in the area. Feather grass grows on Irtás Meadow. The red soil of the bauxite mine in Gánt-Meleges gives the impression of an eerie lunar landscape. Ruins of former castles and fortresses squat on the cliffs. Stretching between Csákvár and Gánt, a 3.5-km nature trail offers good walks through Haraszt Hill and Kőlik Valley. A picturesque view of old cottages welcomes visitors to Vérteskozma.