Helo guys,
In October last year I had a two days weekend to Lake Balaton in Hungary! I promised myself I'll come back in this area as soon as possible.
The landscape and surroundings are amazing. We mostly visited the northern part of the lake and it has this interesting combo of both lake shore giving you those specific vibes and green scenary all around. The nature is abundant in these parts! LOVE it, love it!
Besides the lake itself and some other tourist attractions, I really wanted to visit this Winery!
This place is an oasis of nature, a place where you can easily relax on an afternoon or evening along with a glass of wine and a dessert..
The Folly Arboretum, the living “pine museum” is located on the northern shore of Lake Balaton.The Folly family has been collecting special cypresses , cedars and pines for over a hundred years in the area.
On the land repurchased by the family, in the expanded arboretum and the adjoining forest, are about 300 species of pine and 200 deciduous trees and shrubs bloom, which can be identified by visitors with the help of dendrobotanical information (plant) signs. (wikipedia)
The arboretum has a wonderful history and its beautifully kept family owned place. You can easily have a good hours stroll in the park and walk up to the lookout, then enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake Balaton at their restaurant with some really nice wine selection.
The scenary is quite beautiful, with all those vines and the lake view. Simply breathtaking!
Our botanic garden is not simply an arboretum of many. It is not only a unique collection of cedars and cypresses, but a family history of several generations, a result of dedicated work and perseverance. Be a part of the history of our family! Feel the tranquility of centuries-old cedars, an enchanting view over the lake Balaton and taste our wines, which are expertise and spare no effort were made to you. - Folly Réka said on their website page.
HISTORY OF THE PLACE
Our great grandfather, Gyula Folly (1867-1915), was a doctor from Pecs who at the beginning of the twentieth century decided to fell the native oaks and replace them with exotic tree species. The area where he started the planting covers 0.4 hectares and is considered to be the heart of the current collection.
He was eager to collect species which fitted the microclimate of Balaton and could tolerate dry conditions. Primarily, he collected trees originating in the Mediterranean region but he also gathered specimens from other parts of the world with similar climatic conditions. He contacted foreign, mainly west European nurseries (Barbier et Co, Hesse, Orleans, Rovelli, Pallanza, Weaner, Veicht and Son, London-Chelsea), who nurtured the selected items for several years before they were transported in wicker baskets to the arboretum.
When the planting of approximately one hundred trees started the workmen removed about 60 cubic metres of stones that they retrieved from the planting-pits by hand. The water needed for planting these saplings was transported from the Balaton in wooden containers on the backs of donkeys. There was no landscape design. Since he planted trees that were not known in Hungary, he had no idea about the size to which they would grow, thus in the Old Arboretum you can find areas that are very dense together with open areas resulting from trees drying out following a series of severe heatwaves.
The founder’s death and the First World War put a stop to continued planting. Indeed, between the two world wars, the cultivation of the arboretum came to a halt. During this time the family out of respect to the father, was eager to maintain the little arboretum. Luckily, during the Second World War, no damage was caused to the garden.
In 1950, a part of the family estate was requisitioned by the State and the Badacsony Agricultural Authority. However, in 1953, Gyula Folly (1911 – 1979), our grandfather, the son of the founder and an economist, started to plant these exotic species once again. First, he concentrated on the forecourt of the family residence. Then gradually, he planted on the terraces up the hill towards the north. The environmental conditions here were favourable to these plants, except for the lack of rain. Shortly afterwards, in 1964, atlas cedars were planted in (Xl. b. plot) next to the Old Arboretum and in 1970 genuine European cypresses were planted in the (VI., IX plots, nursery).
The Badacsony Agricultural Authority offered numerous plots in order to expand the collection; plots from which grape vines had been removed. Our father, Gyula Folly (1943 – 2011), the grandson of the founder and an agricultural engineer, took over these plots and planted them with exotic species. In 1977 he established a nursery opposite the entrance to the family residence in order to defray the ever increasing costs of running the arboretum. He also planted in the Old Arboretum to keep it refreshed.
In 1981 he embarked upon a western European collection tour and returned with around a hundred new species, most of which he planted on the top terrace (X. plot). His hard work is evident when we look at the then uncultivated land under the Old Arboretum (XII. Plot). In 1980, with State support, a fence was erected around the arboretum to prevent damage by wild animals and theft. At this time the family asked for compensation for their requisitioned land, but the State made it clear that by now the arboretum was so well maintained at great expense, that the family could only buy it back for cash. This is how the whole area became the property of the Folly family once again.
Ten years ago, we, the fourth generation, Reka Folly and Judith Folly, became involved in the work. We continue to cultivate the arboretum and winery, thus maintaining the century old family tradition. Folly Réka
This is their history and I found it interesting. I know its a long story to read but I've read it all and I couldnt help not copy-paste of all it.
All informations above you can find on their website page.
THE PRIDES OF THE GARDEN
“The arboretum is just like a jewel box: [it is] small but every one of its pieces is worth a treasure.” This often-cited words by Johann Gerd Krüssmann (1910–1980), a well-known authority on dendrology recited these words when he visited the Arboretum during an international meeting.
Uniquely for Central Europe, all 25 cypress species and their 3 varieties are represented in the Folly Arboretum. Among them, there are beautiful groups of mature Italian cypresses and this beautiful specimen of Arizona cypress as well. Among the American cypresses that are less widely known in cultivation you will find MacNab cypress, Gowen cypress and Cuyamaca cypress ; among the Asian cypresses are Kashmir cypress , Himalayan cypress, Ducloux cypress and a specimen of the Chinese Weeping cypress that is over 50 years old.
If you want to read in detail about all the species you can find in this nature treasure, go on their website and take a look.
Just to mention few of them:
- Pinus coulteri - Big-cone pine
- Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean cypress)
- Juniperus drupacea (Syrian juniper)
- Cedrus deodara (Himalayan cedar)
- Cedrus atlantica glauca (Atlas cedar)
Right before the entrance there is a big parking lot, unpaved. The parking is free, but the entrance was about 1700 HUF (5$).
The Folly’s restaurant and grill terrace awaits you with fresh dishes made with seasonal, local ingredients, delicious homemade syrups, coffee specialties, cakes and the indispensable Folly wines.
The restaurant is located inside the arboretum and cannot be visited separately, so you will need to purchase a ticket if you want to have lunch or dinner in the restaurant or in the grill terrace.
You can find in their menu offer, Folly grape cordial and stum as autumn drinks. Among the main dishes you'll also find game broth with tarragon, which it is worth tasting the selection of iron-fried sausages as well as the slow-cooked pork rib-eye with spicy tomato bean stew and sausage crumbs.
On weekends, they offer our guests a special menu, richly prepared meat bouillon and fried catfish with Waldorf salad and grapes from the hill.
The place is opened every day from 09.00 to 18.00 and from 09.00 to 20.00 on Saturday.
We arrived to the destination about 18.00 on Saturday so we didnt have time to eat, but we served a really good wine.
The grape goes a very long way until it reaches the depth of a bottle from the vine-stock. A lot of work and care accompanies its way, as does the history of the trees in our Arboretum.
On the estates close to the Folly Arboretum, grape production takes place on 7 hectares, which, like the love and care of the arboretum, is a legacy passed down from generation to generation in the Folly family. Kisörsi Hill provides a suitable production area for our main grape varieties: szürkebarát, muscat ottonel, kéknyelű, Rhine Riesling, budai zöld and Italian Riesling.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
The Folly Arboretum is an ideal family retreat. Our huge, natural, tree-shaded garden is a friend for families and young children, and our spacious, wooden, unique playground promises adventurous and fun relaxation for the very little ones as well as for the older children. After a whole day of playing, we offer home-made, refreshing syrups and light barbecue dishes to hungry, thirsty children, and the fabulous panorama from the Arboretum promises a pleasant tranquility after a Folly day spent in nature.
The toys in the playground have a TÜV license, which they regularly check and review in accordance with the regulations.
Recommended ages:
- Nest swing: 3-12
- Spinning swing: 3-12
- Treadwheel: 5-14
- Ropeway: 5-14
- Slide: 5+
More info you can find here.
The wineyard is really amazing. The view over Lake Balaton is unique and it's like being in Greece or Italy, with that specific Mediterranean landscape and vibes.
I really like this place and I wanna get back here when I'll have the chance. The whole region is beautiful, but there's something about this place. Maybe because I love wineries. For those (mostly girls :d) who know the movie Letters to Juliet, this place reminds me of that movie. It was my favourite romantic movie for years. LOL.
Beautiful trees and lovely paths with plenty of stops and gazebos and benches with an excellent view to the lake and surrounding area.
Thank you guys for reading,
I know it's a lot of information in here and mind you, there's still on their official website. I just couldnt take it all but if you are interested in readind more about this beautiful location, I encourage you to do that.
Hugs, missdeli
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