Csobánc
Encyclopedia
Csobánc ' is a hill
in the Tapolca Basin, Hungary
.
period.
and the Bakony-Balaton Geopark.
can be a great danger to the habitat and its characteristic species such as the northern rock-cress (Cardaminopsis petraea) and the unique livelong saxifrage
(Saxifaga), both growing on the northern rock walls.
(Pulsatilla Grandis), Golden alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis), Prunus mahaleb
, and the pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens) bring more color into the landscape.
(Tilia platyphyllos), Norway maple
(Acer platanoides), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior). On the grass level a small population of Turk's cap lily
(Lilium martagon) is present.
(Corvus corax), the common kestrel
(Falco tinnunculus) and the peregrine falcon
(Falco peregrinus). They will only settle if their habitat is completely undisturbed in spring
. Using the hill
as a launch site can cause great damage to the hill
's biodiversity
.
Construction works began in 1255 for the first time. The Italian Rátóti Gyulaffy family owned the castle
for more than 40 years. Csobánc fell under numerous unsuccessul Turkish sieges in the 16th century. In 1669 the Esterházy family took control over the castle. During the Rákóczi's War for Independence
, the heroic Hungarian kuruc
defenders were triumphantly able to manage resistance against immense Austrian-Danish united attacks in February 1707. The castle
was first destroyed in the 18th century.
The Foundation for the Castle of Csobánc from the neighbouring village
Gyulakeszi
makes efforts to reconstruct the ruins of the castle. Cultural and historical programs such as riding shows, mediaeval knights in period dresses, Turkish belly dance
etc. are offered to raise fund. The most significant festival, Gyulaffy Days (Gyulaffy napok '), is held annually.
.
to the castle ruins that join together before the real climb. The track has green (L) waymarks.
The hill can be approached from two other villages as well, Gyulakeszi
and Káptalantóti
, however, they are much further.
and ultralight trikes, however, these activities are currently contentious since the hill
is a natural preserve. Hiking
and geocaching
are also popular activities around the area.
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
in the Tapolca Basin, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
.
Geography and environment
Csobánc is one of the highlights of the region. Similar to the other hills in the area, it is of volcanic origin. These hills are called “Witness Hills”. The expression originates from the fact that these hills “witnessed” the decrease of the land surface level during volcanic activity millions of years ago. They preserve the original surface since the PliocenePliocene
The Pliocene Epoch is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 2.588 million years before present. It is the second and youngest epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch...
period.
Protected natural assets
Csobánc is one of the unique and peculiar monadnocks of Tapolca Basin. It is a result of basalt volcanism 3.5 million years ago. Numerous rare habitats in need of protection have been preserved due to the relatively secluded and undisturbed area. The natural assests of Csobánc granted the hill increased protection from the Balaton Uplands National ParkBalaton Uplands National Park
In 1997 a protected ecological system embracing the adjoining area of the Balaton Uplands was established with the connection of the already protected areas which had been separate for a long time...
and the Bakony-Balaton Geopark.
Rock grasses
Relatively sheltered habitat due to its inaccessible location along the edges of the plateau. Sensitive to being disturbed and trodded on. ParaglidingParagliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
can be a great danger to the habitat and its characteristic species such as the northern rock-cress (Cardaminopsis petraea) and the unique livelong saxifrage
Saxifrage
Saxifraga is the largest genus in the family Saxifragaceae, containing about 440 species of Holarctic perennial plants, known as saxifrages. The Latin word saxifraga means literally "stone-breaker", from Latin + ...
(Saxifaga), both growing on the northern rock walls.
Steppe meadows and rocky outcrops
For their survival, these habitats are to be left undisturbed. On the south and the east sides of the hills stands of steep surfaces broken up by rocky outcrops are the most sensitive Pasque flowerPasque flower
The genus Pulsatilla contains about 33 species of herbaceous perennials native to meadows and prairies of North America, Europe, and Asia. Common names include pasque flower , wind flower, prairie crocus, Easter Flower, and meadow anemone...
(Pulsatilla Grandis), Golden alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis), Prunus mahaleb
Prunus mahaleb
Prunus mahaleb is a species of cherry native to central and southern Europe, western and central Asia, and northwest Africa, from Morocco north to France, southern Belgium, and Germany, and east to northern Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.It is a deciduous tree or large...
, and the pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens) bring more color into the landscape.
Detrital slope forests
The protective forests on the north side of the hill are highly sensitive, the associations living here need to remain intact. The stands consists of small-leaved lime (Tilla cordata), broad-leaved limeTilia platyphyllos
Tilia platyphyllos is a deciduous tree native to much of Europe, including locally in southwestern Great Britain, growing on lime-rich soils. The common name Large-leaved Linden is in standard use throughout the English-speaking world except in Britain, where it has largely been replaced by the...
(Tilia platyphyllos), Norway maple
Norway Maple
Acer platanoides is a species of maple native to eastern and central Europe and southwest Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran....
(Acer platanoides), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior). On the grass level a small population of Turk's cap lily
Lilium martagon
Lilium martagon is a species of lily. It has a widespread native region extending from central Europe east through northern Asia to Mongolia and Korea. Several subspecies have been named. Horticulturally it is in Division 9, It is stem-rooting, growing between 1m and 2m tall...
(Lilium martagon) is present.
Birds
Bird species feeding, nesting, or potentially nesting on the hill are the common ravenCommon Raven
The Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
(Corvus corax), the common kestrel
Common Kestrel
The Common Kestrel is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel. In Britain, where no other brown falcon occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".This species...
(Falco tinnunculus) and the peregrine falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
(Falco peregrinus). They will only settle if their habitat is completely undisturbed in spring
Spring (season)
Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and...
. Using the hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
as a launch site can cause great damage to the hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
's biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
.
Castle ruins
The castle has been attacked by the Turks between 1554 and 1567.Construction works began in 1255 for the first time. The Italian Rátóti Gyulaffy family owned the castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
for more than 40 years. Csobánc fell under numerous unsuccessul Turkish sieges in the 16th century. In 1669 the Esterházy family took control over the castle. During the Rákóczi's War for Independence
Rákóczi's War for Independence
Rákóczi's War for Independence was the first significant attempt to topple therule of Habsburg Austria over Hungary. The war was fought by a group of noblemen, wealthy and high-ranking progressives and was led by Francis II Rákóczi Rákóczi's War for Independence (1703–1711) was the first...
, the heroic Hungarian kuruc
Kuruc
The kuruc was a term used to denote the armed anti-Habsburg rebels in Royal Hungary between 1671 and 1711....
defenders were triumphantly able to manage resistance against immense Austrian-Danish united attacks in February 1707. The castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
was first destroyed in the 18th century.
The Foundation for the Castle of Csobánc from the neighbouring village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
Gyulakeszi
Gyulakeszi
- External links :* *...
makes efforts to reconstruct the ruins of the castle. Cultural and historical programs such as riding shows, mediaeval knights in period dresses, Turkish belly dance
Belly dance
Belly dance or Bellydance is a "Western"-coined name for a traditional "Middle Eastern" dance, especially raqs sharqi . It is sometimes also called Middle Eastern dance or Arabic dance in the West, or by the Greco-Turkish term çiftetelli...
etc. are offered to raise fund. The most significant festival, Gyulaffy Days (Gyulaffy napok '), is held annually.
The “Bad Church”
The Rossz-templom (“Bad Church”) is a 13th century church that was left to decline after the population fled from the OttomansOttoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
.
Hiking the mountain
Two tourist paths lead from Tapolca-DiszelTapolca-Diszel
Diszel is a village in Veszprém county, Hungary, merged with the town of Tapolca administratively since 1977. Situated in the Tapolca Basin, Diszel is rich in spectacular geological heritages and historical monuments. Diszel is considered as one of the most beautiful areas of the...
to the castle ruins that join together before the real climb. The track has green (L) waymarks.
The hill can be approached from two other villages as well, Gyulakeszi
Gyulakeszi
- External links :* *...
and Káptalantóti
Káptalantóti
Káptalantóti is a village in Veszprém county, Hungary.- External links :*...
, however, they are much further.
Popular activities
Due to its thermodinamic features it is an ideal spot for paraglidingParagliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
and ultralight trikes, however, these activities are currently contentious since the hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
is a natural preserve. Hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and geocaching
Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world....
are also popular activities around the area.