200 Metres Above the "Hungarian Sea"

The history

View from Csere-hill belvedere. The look-out tower on the 295m high Csere hill was built in 1935, having been designed by Jenő (Eugene) Gulyás Padányi. It was made of red sandstone and it was the first stone made look-out tower in the Balaton-uplands. Its original name was Miklós Horthy belvedere. Miklós Horthy was the regent of Hungary between 1920-1944. After the rise to power of the Communist Party its name was changed to "Freedom belvedere" in the early '50s.

Due to vandalsim and lack of maintenance, it became dangerous over decades that followed, and it was closed in 1998. The locals founded the "Belvedere Fraternity" to mobilise support for the reconstuction. Finally they got the money in 2001; 35 million Forints (~$230.000 @ current exchange rate, and ~$122.000 on 2001 exchange rate); 50% from state aid and the local authority provided the other 50%. A 5 metre wooden tower was added to the building, and now the belvedere is 11.5m high. The local authority changed the name of the look-out tower to Csere Hill belvedere. A buffet, an art gallery and the caretaker's house were built near the tower.

View

Looking out from the tower, you get a whole view of the eastern basin of Lake Balaton, the surrounding mountains, townships (Alsóörs, Felsőőrs, Balatonalmádi), the Tihany peninsula. In fine weather you can see the Somogy Hills also.

Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton, located in Hungary, is the largest lake in Central Europe, and a popular regional tourist destination. Due to Hungary being landlocked, it is often affectionately called the "Hungarian Sea". The southern shore of the lake consists of sandy beach, while on the northern shore there are mountains of volcanic origin with old ruins on their tops and vineyards on their slopes. The picturesque landscape and the water ideal for swimming and other water sports attract 2 million tourists annually.

Hotspots

If you move your mouse over the "hotspots" in the full screen version you'll get some detailed information about them. (name and link to the corresponding Wiki page)

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References:

• Wikipedia (HUN)

• World Lake Database

The Equirectangular source images:

• This picture on my Panoramio page

• My other "WWP0608 Elevation" nominee and its QTVR version.

Thank you for viewing, greetings from Hungary!

Europe / Hungary

Lat: 47° 0' 26.02" N
Long: 17° 58' 48.67" E

Elevation: 308

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: High. Pinpoints the exact spot.

HW: Canon EOS 350D, Peleng 8mm F3.5, home-made panoramic head;
SW: PTGui & Smartblend, Pano2QVTR, and Photomatix for HDR processing