13 Apr 2024
Yesterday, my wife and I visited Pannonhalma Arch Abbey with a Eurama private tour. Our tour guide was Christina, who with our driver picked us up at our Budapest hotel. Christina provided us with a detailed history of the Abbey from its founding by King Geza around the year 1000 through the present day. She not only knew the history of the Abbey well but also its importance to the Hungarian people through the centuries. The Abbey is an outstanding combination of many architectural styles and since the fall of communism has been renovated to serve the needs of the monastic community. In addition to touring the church, treasury and library, we were able to attend a brief midday prayer service with the monks and other visitors. The Abbey also manages an extensive herb garden, growing lavender and other fragrant herbs.
Overall, the day trip from Budapest was outstanding addition to our visit to Hungary, largely due to the knowledge and skill of our tourguide. We would recommend a private tour to Pannonhalma as an enjoyable and easy way to visit this historic and sacred place.