Hungary's first protected conservation area was established on the Tihany peninsula in 1952. It covers an area of 1562 hectares, of which 195 hectares are specially protected. In addition to the Balaton Highlands region, the 57 thousand hectare National Park also includes the area known as Little Balaton.

This is one of the country's most significant and frequently visited touristic areas, an area with a unique array of our country's natural beauty. Its greatest attraction and the treasure that makes it famous is Lake Balaton. Many of its unique natural sights, such as the volcanic buttes, are the result of erratic volcanic activity that occurred millions of years ago.

The National Park, which covers a 1-15km wide swathe along the northern bank of Lake Balaton from the Tihany Peninsula to Little Balaton includes parts of five major regions. The sunshine, magnified and yet still tamed by the lake surface, the marshland areas, the plains and valleys, as well as the volcanic soils and the water have brought rise to a rich variety of plant and animal life in the area.

Unique animals and plants life in tiny habitats throughout the area and several species of specially protected plants enjoy a safe haven: the extremely rare Notholaena fern, the bird's-eye primrose, Ophrys orchids, the Sword Lily – over 200 plant and several hundred animal species.

The volcanic basalt hills form a unique landscape with their characteristic shape. The Tihany Csúcs (Summit) Hill, the White bank of the Tihany peninsula, the hot spring vents, sinkholes and caves are all well known. The constructed environment and the cultural landscape are also special; Hungarians and tourists have only recently discovered the treasures that the area offers in addition to the bathing areas of Lake Balaton.

Source: Kormany.hu

Photo: Tihany Abbey