Zirc Arboretum - Nature Conservation Area (Zirc)

 arboretum, nature conservation park / area

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Territory of the protected area: 18 hectares.
Location: The protected area is situated in the centre of Zirc.
Visitors: Free of access for visitors.
Management: Directorate of the Balaton Uplands National Park

On the site of the arboretum in the centre of the 800 year old village called Zirc, along the Cuha stream there was already a game reserve back in the 15th century, which however later disappeared and the place was taken over by agricultural fields. Today's arboretum is located partly on the site of these former agricultural fields and partly in the place of the former forests surrounding the old village. These forests were started to clear in the middle of the 18th century when the site of the English landscape garden took shape.
The Cistercians who came from France and settled in Zirc in the 12th century had a large role in creating the garden. One of the main tasks of the Cistercians was to spread the culture of cultivation, therefore their superiors were well educated experts. One of them, an abbot called Dráta started the systematic development of the garden at the beginning of the 19th century aiming at presenting the endemic fauna of the Bakony. One of the sights of the arboretum the 350 m long alley of linden consisting 111 trees was also planted then, in 1809. In the mid 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century the tree stand of the arboretum was significantly enriched, the buildings and the facilities of the park were developed and from the 1970s the arboretum went through a significant renovation.
It is one of the most beautiful arboretum in Hungary and it is situated on the highest elevation of all: it is located in a hilly area of the Zirc basin, at a height of 400 m. The territory, being exposed to the west, is windy, rainy and cool, which corresponds to the climate of the Bakony. Because of these characteristics the park was first of all suitable for creating a collection of trees in it. In accordance with the original plans, a part of the park represents the endemic tree and shrub species of the Bakony in conditions close to their natural circumstances. In addition to that, the majority of the arborescent collection of 600 species are exotas, more than 70 evergreens among them (many species of fir trees, larch trees, yews, thuyas etc.) The almost 40 taxon collections of maples and oaks are famous, as well as the sections presenting species of ashes and birches.
Visitors can adore several famous huge trees with a great past, the 18th century stone bridges crossing the Cuha stream. The explored ruins of the former Cistercian church and monastery can be visited in one of the corners of the park.
Besides the arboretum there are many other sights in Zirc – the Cistercian church converted from gothic into baroque, the science museum, listed buildings.

www.foek.hu/zsibongo/termve/tt/angtt/zirc.htm