The unique abbeys of Hungary part II.

The Premonstratensian Abbey of Gödöllő is less well known, but that is why it is exciting. The community of Premonstratensian is committed to social, societal, and educational issues — which is why many schools and social movements belong to the catchment area of the abbey. This year 900-year-old abbey attracts interested people with an all-night documentary in honour of the jubilee: The film The Premonstratensian Heritage depicts the everyday lives of the members of the order and the social works of the abbey with a poignant reality. Filming is not the first time in the community’s life, in 2018 an independent work was shot about the Premonstratensian Sisters. The 900th anniversary could not pass without programs - on this occasion a conference on sacred architecture, pilgrimage, art history was organized in September, and the order’s important role in education was also discussed.

The other larger abbey in Hungary is located in Tihany, where the main building of the abbey is considered to be the baroque gem of the region. Lake Balaton bears extremely great significance for the monastery: according to the monks, the lake is a natural wonder with a soul that permeates everyday life and forms a bridge for the earthly world. It is no coincidence that the permanent exhibition of the Benedictine Tihany Abbey, opened last summer, was entitled “Soul over the Waters”, which presents the monastic existence and the thousands of years of the abbey from a new perspective: it invites interested people for a virtual time travel. They can have a look at the funeral ceremony of King Andrew I, and examine the charter of Tihany in exceptional detail. The exhibition reveals the curiosities of the monastery with the most modern equipment: films, interactive panels, sound materials accompany the visitors, besides them fun games await the little ones on the basement level. The nine monks currently living here perform pastoral duties in the area, and they also teach and cultivate according to the monastic way of life. This also allows the exceptional care of the special herb plantation, as lavender of Tihany is closely related to the work of the abbey: the local Lavender Festival can be linked to the abbey, and every year they also organize pick your own lavender sale, not to mention the lavender products made here.

Fans of walking and hiking are favoured by permanent program of the abbey, the walk of the Abbey Manor. The walk introduces the monks' herb garden, where you will also have time to taste monastic products such as lavender syrup from Tihany and the abbey salty crunch. Night owls are favoured by the Voices of Silence night walk, during which, roaming in the silence of darkness, we can rely solely on our own senses guided by the fathers. On the Lights of Dawn walk in early morning, you can admire the sunrise from the fathers' spice garden overlooking Lake Balaton, at the end of the tour, the local culinary figure, the Abbey Rege Confectionery, will also open where you can enjoy the panorama of Balaton without being disturbed accompanied by gastronomic specialities. Besides sweets, syrups and drinks made by monks are available at the confectionery. The abbey also hosts a variety of classical and lightweight concerts.