The Roman aqueduct road (small circle)

Bucsu: in the footsteps of the leader Bulcsú

The first documented mention of the settlement along the Golden Brook dates back to 1236. At that time it was called Bulcsu, referring to our greatest warlord after Árpád the Great, Bulcsu, whose summer residence was located here.
Bulcsú was one of the seven generals who waged war against Spain. He was successful in the war of 945, but in 955 he lost not only a battle but his life at Augsburg. The centre of his former summer residence still keeps his memory alive, preserving his name. It was only changed from Bulcsu to Bucsu in 1495.

Authentic records first mention 10 houses and 40 people, which grew over the years. The foundations of the church date back to the 14th century, which also indicates that there must have been a settlement here even then. The interior of the church is 18th century Baroque.

In World War I, 80 people took part, 17 died heroically, many returned wounded. It became a border settlement after the Treaty of Trianon. Sometimes separated by less than 500 m from our western neighbour, it became increasingly difficult after the Second World War.

The village was then literally surrounded by a technical barrier, which extended along the edge of the house. Everyone who visited Bucsu became suspicious. Even though it was now possible to reach the remote countryside thanks to improved transport, this only further isolated the small border town from the rest of the country.

The change of regime was a huge milestone in the life of Bucsu, not only in the dismantling of the gates, but also in the beginning of its full development and integration into the neighbourhood.

Bucsu gave many famous people to the country. Anna Hertelendy, the grandmother of Ferenc Deák, the "sage of the country", was born here. The Széll family, several members of which held high office in the government of Hungary, came from here. One of them was Kálmán Széll, who served as Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1875 to 1878, and then as Prime Minister from 1899 to 1903. His father, József Széll, was a Member of Parliament for Vas County from 1844 to 1867, with some interruptions.

Points of interest

The Church of St Michael

 The Roman Catholic Church of St. Michael, which dates back to the 13th century and is of Árpád origin, is a landmark of the village. It was used by the Evangelicals in the 17th century and by Catholics from 1673. Its tower stands above the entrance, in front of which the entrance was later added as an extension. The church interior has medieval details. Its present-day furnishings are reminiscent of the 18th century. The church was restored between 2011 and 2013: the altar, the pulpit, the statues and the roof were renovated. .

According to descriptions, there are several mansions and castles in the village.

The Széll Mansion

The building was built by the Vajda family in the 18th century. The mansion became the property of the Széll family through the marriage of Ádám Vajda's only child, Antonia, to the son of the Széll family. The Széll family received a new coat of arms in 1639, thus confirming their nobility. The Bucsu mansion was remodelled and extended by János-Kristóf Széll in the early 19th century. The mansion was inherited by his eldest son Imre Széll, who was the chief notary of Vas county between 1836-45. The mansion was sold by Ödön-Imre Széll to the Burgenland mill owner Techet Bódog at the end of World War I. After his death in 1935, it was inherited by his grandson Gyula Sonnenvend. The family owned the mansion until nationalisation (1952).

After the nationalisation, the mansion was used for apartments, then the Border Guard was given the building, and after the opening of the borders, the mansion remained empty.

Ernő Szabó Castle

The estate of Bucsu was already registered as the property of János Szabó at the time of the census of 1754-55, and he was the secretary of Count Lajos Batthyány, the Prince of Hungary. The mansion was built by his son Ignác Szabó in the late 18th century in the late Baroque style. After his death it was inherited by his daughter Katalin, who became the wife of Imre Egan. The Egan family is of Irish origin, several members of the family having held the title of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. In 1810, the son of O-Edgan, an Irish Member of Parliament, James, moved from the family to Hungary. In 1890, King Franz Joseph I granted them Hungarian nobility, retaining their ancient Irish coat of arms. Egan Ede's son Imre Egan was the owner of the mansion. The Egan couple (Katalin Szabó and Imre Egan) owned the mansion and the Bucsu estate until nationalisation. After the nationalisation, the mansion was converted into a cinema and a culture house, and then into a slipper factory of the local cooperative. In 2003 it was completely renovated into a residential building, and is now privately owned and used as a dwelling.

Széll Castle

In the eastern part of the settlement, on the old Szombathely road, the classicist building is privately owned and is used as a company headquarters.

Accommodation

9792 Bucsu
Rákóczi Ferenc u.154,
Phone number: 06 30 590 6460