Bolzano: between mountains and giants
Bozsok Bozsok is a border settlement in Vas County, on the slopes of the Alpokalja, at the southern foot of the Kőszeg Mountains, southwest of Kőszeg, northwest of Szombathely. The administrative area includes the 884m high Írottkő peak, which is the highest point in Transdanubia.
As on the municipal website the landscape was inhabited from the Stone Age onwards, as evidenced by the stone tools, axes, pottery and jewellery found here. During the Roman Empire, water was piped from the springs of the Bozsok and Rohonc valleys to the town of Savaria (now Szombathely) for nearly 400 years. The aqueduct carried water from Bucsu to Savaria along the current cycle path on the western side of the Bozsok.
The first written mention of the settlement dates back to 1277, when it was called Villa Bosuk, in a document dated locally. At that time it belonged to the castle of St. Vid under the jurisdiction of the Németújvár family, who later annexed it to their manor of Rohonc - hence it was shared by the descendants of the Rohonc Roosters in 1374, who held it until the 15th century. It changed hands several times, and in 1540 Ferdinand I removed Bozsok from the manor together with Szerdahellyel.
The village was completely destroyed during the Turkish siege of Kőszeg in 1532. The village - typical for the western outskirts of Vas county - was depopulated, the owners of the manors made up for the lack of labour by settling Croatian settlers, thus the ethnic composition of the village changed. The majority of the population was of Croatian nationality (Gradistye), with a smaller proportion of Hungarian and German nationality.
In 1552, Gergely Sibrik divided his estate into two parts. His heirs from both branches built in the village. For three and a half centuries, the Sibrik family determined the history of Bozsok.
The ancestor of the elder branch, Osvát, built the Upper or Sibrik Castle, which remained in the family until the beginning of the 20th century. The Sibrik family sold it in 1906 to the art writer Dr. Gyula Végh and his wife Countess Mária Wimpfenn, who restored both the castle and the surrounding English garden. Gyula Végh, who was director general of the Museum of Applied Arts until 1934 and founded the Hungarian Bibliophile Society in 1921, was arrested in 1944 for hiding several people in the castle. After 1945, part of the building was used as offices for the Border Guard. Gyula Végh - in order to preserve his beloved residence, he planned to turn it into a museum with his own collection. In 1959, the castle was restored as a historical monument when it was converted into a holiday home for the Vas County Council.
The lower or Batthyány castle was left to deteriorate by the younger (successor to Mathew) branch of the Sibrik family from 1551. In 1616, it was sold to Ferenc Batthyányi, who was seated in the castle of Rohonc, with the Kiskovácsi vineyard and the Káposztásgarten belonging to it. In a few years, the new owner converted it into a two-storey, four-cornered castle with a moat, a typical 17th century aristocratic castle, where Adam Batthyány and his wife were welcome. Several distinguished guests stayed in the castle, including Ferenc Rákóczi II in 1698, and in 1708 Count Antal Esterházy, the Electoral General, set up his headquarters here. In the 1800s, it became the property of Count Ferenc Althan, the chief court-master, as a dowry from a Batthyányi daughter. He was the guest of Emperor Franz I and his wife in 1813. In 1832, the castle became uninhabitable after the death of Count Althan's wife from cholera, and in 1841 it burnt down in a lightning strike. Since then it has been in ruins, and only its ruins remain.
An interesting feature of the village is that not only the inhabitants but also the houses have names (after their former owners), so everyone in Bozsok has two names: a family name and a house name, according to the village website. The numbering of the houses is also unique, as Rákóczi Ferenc Street starts on the Main Street (north of the settlement), runs along the Eastern Street (east of the settlement), then turns back on the Old Street (south of the settlement) and runs back on the Western Street. Today, the hospitable inhabitants of Bozsok welcome guests in many houses as part of village tourism. In the summer street you can often find a selection of local produce (fruit, vegetables, flowers, etc.) sold at the cash desk.
Points of interest
The Sibrik family castle
Sibrik family castle. The castle was built in 1614 on the foundations of a Roman castrum, or medieval noble manor house, and was owned by the family for centuries, who rebuilt it in 1702 and 1815. In 1906, it was bought by the writer Gyula Végh, who restored it to its former splendour. He was evicted in 1951, after which it was the county council's holiday home. Many famous people have been guests of the castle. The poets Gyula Illyés, Sándor Weöres, Amy Károlyi, István Simon, Gábor Devecseri, the actor Imre Sinkovits and the ceramist Margit Kovács. Sándor Weöres wrote his poem "Bozsok memories" here and Gábor Devecseri wrote his poem "Farewell to Bozsok". The beautiful 7-hectare park of the castle is protected. More about the castle on the website you can read.
Batthyány Castle
The Batthyány Castle is in ruins, but in places its walls are still standing a storey high. Its ruins are still decaying today due to the lack of conservation. The servants' houses that belonged to the castle are still standing. The tower ruins near the church are also thought to be a monastery ruin, but the medieval tower ruin is the remaining north-west corner of an old castellum. In 1603 the tower is mentioned as an ancient castle of Mathew Sibrik, but in 1616 it is mentioned only as a ruin. It can be visited through the courtyard of 24 Rákóczi Street. It is under monumental protection.
St Anne's Church
The Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Anne dates back to the Middle Ages and was built in its present form in 1630. It was renewed in 1743 and enlarged in 1773. It is protected as a historical monument.
St Joseph's Chapel
The chapel is a single-nave church built in 1775. It is decorated with a rococo high altar and a painted altarpiece. In the chapel garden there is a crucifix. It was restored in 1970.
Statue of St Florian and St John of Nepumuk
The two statues were created by the Bozsokért Association and the Municipality on the basis of the remaining torsos. The statue of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, was erected in 1996 by the Association for Bozsokért on the bank of the Golden Stream in front of the fire station. Flowers were planted around the statue's pedestal and a bench was placed by nearby residents. The other statue was placed in the front garden of the St. Joseph Chapel.
Monument to the Heroes
The grace of the people of Bozsok has erected a monumental memorial in the square in front of the church to the thirty-two heroes who died in the world war and immortalised their names on a marble plaque for posterity.
Bozsoki Wine House
The Bozsok Wine House is located at 133 Rákóczi Street, in a former house built in 1819. It houses objects of the wine culture of Bozsok. During the harvest, a fair is held in the courtyard.
Írottkő peak (883 m)
On the highest point of the Kőszegi Mountains, on the outskirts of the village, there is a lookout tower built in 1913 on the Írottkő. The peak is named after the rock on the Austrian side, about 40 m from the lookout, on which the letters CBE (Comes Batthyány Esterházy) are engraved, referring to the former owner of the area. There is a nature trail along the hiking path leading to the lookout.
Its special natural attractions are the rock formations known as the Broad Stone, the Table Stone and the Hat Stone (587 m), which stand alone on the forested ridge.
Way of the Giants Nature Trail
The trail leads to the rock formations around Bozsok. This route is known as the Giant's Path, which introduces you to the most important rock formations and small caves of the Kőszeg Mountains between the Széles- and Kalapos-rocks. Distance: 7 km, 5 stops.
Hospitality
Bozsoki Rest
An old house with 3 apartments, sleeping 14 guests. The house has a large courtyard with a barbeque and a playground.
Website: www.bozsokipiheno.hu
Patakparti Apartment
An apartment for 2+ 2 persons, consisting of a double bedroom, bathroom with shower, toilet, living-dining room with a 2-person sofa bed. Equipped kitchen, TV with satellite dish for the complete comfort of our guests. In the courtyard there is also a possibility of cooking on the open fire (on a borona disc), cooking ( in a kettle ).
Website:
http://www.patakpartiapartman.hu
Bozsoki Guesthouse - restaurant and pension
At the junction of the hiking and cycling trails, in the fresh air, our Irish Pub-style restaurant offers a wide selection of international specialities and Italian pizzas.
https://bozsokiimperialpub.hu/
Malomporta
As the name suggests, this beautiful building on the banks of a stream was once a mill. Once part of the Sibrik manor, today it is a modernly equipped, tastefully and practically furnished apartment house with 28 beds to suit all needs.
Hatter's Stone Inn Bozsok
Rural atmosphere, slow pace of life, tranquillity, relaxing environment.
Border Comedy
The restaurant is located 300 metres from the Austrian border in the Boszcz vineyard. This truly patinated Hungarian tavern is located right next to the forest, with a panoramic terrace seating 120 people, offering a unique experience for guests.
Kerekes Shop and Confectionery
The cakes, tarts and fresh pastries are all made on the spot with the utmost care
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