(Day 5) Fertőd - Sopron | Via Sancti Martin

(Day 5) Fertőd - Sopron

Looking back on the days so far, we have been to countless places and had many wonderful experiences. Today is no different, we will be adventuring in locations that offer specialities. We can continue our pilgrimage in the protected natural environment of the Fertő landscape (UNESCO world heritage), which we had a glimpse already the previous day. The economy of the landscape gives us a real boost. It may be biased to say that we will have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful parts but let everyone decide for themselves!

Poik megjelenítése

More details about the route

Wandering through the friendly and homely streets of Fertőd, the former castle of the famous Hungarian Eszterházy noble family dominates the downtown. On the outskirts of the city, in the Süttör district, we find an architectural style different from what we have seen so far, an elegant parish, which was built in 1889. Its external features are characterized by the use of raw bricks, which is a characteristic of North German Gothic churches. Above the entrance, a mosaic depicting Saint Andrew greets us. The speciality of the parish church also lies in its acoustics, its beautiful-sounding organ was made in the former royal and court organ factory (Ottó Riger), so, like in the Eszterházy castle, excellent concerts are regularly organized here.

Fertőd
Spiritual provision

The priest-poet Mihály Mentes was born here, whose lines have been sung by hundreds of thousands ever since: "God, we kneel before you for our country..." What a great thing it is to write something in history, something that will shape and enrich the hearts of many!

When Martin entered Paris, he "kissed and blessed a leper who looked horrible to everyone." This gesture was repeated in the life of Saint Francis. When Francis embraced the leper, he felt the kind of happiness he had been searching for in vain. Until then, he had known the joy of entertainment. Then he experienced the happiness of love. Martin's gesture continued in the lives of De Veuster's Saint Damian and several other saints.

The good deed of Saint Nicholas has been living on in the same way - for 1700 years. Throwing the bag of money in the cottage through the window, the pious bishop enabled the marriage of three impoverished beggar girls. Humanity has been repeating the benevolent bishop's gesture ever since.

What am I writing in the history of the world, in the hearts and lives of others? Nothing worthwhile? Or just hurtful, confusing words and actions?

(Süttör) – Szent Andrew Church

Heading in the direction of Fertőszéplak, beautiful herringbone houses line our way through the village, preserving the folk architectural traditions typical of the world heritage cultural landscape of Fertőd. Passing through Hegykő, also famous for its pálinka, we soon arrive at Hidegség, where it’s worth to have rest.

Hidegség
Spiritual provision

A 900-year-old church, approx. 800-year-old frescoes. Following the orders of Saint Stephen, every 10 villages built a church. The towers pointing to the sky make life dignified in the other houses of the village. The towers that indicate that our existence has got a reason and a fulfilment. They indicate that our existence does not go from nothing to nothing.

Village church - rural wisdom. The man of the village sees the sun rise every morning, he experiences that without rain there is no harvest, he knows all the inhabitants of the village like the back of his hand, he knows his ancestors and his roots well. He has a kind of wisdom that the city dweller very often lacks.

Do I appreciate the wisdom of the country man? Do I know the teaching of the church towers?

Szent Andrew Church

The next recommended stop is the Gloriette lookout point in Fertőboz, from where the panorama of the entire Fertő landscape opens up in front of us.

After spiritual recharge, we have the opportunity to fill up our water bottles at the Zsolnay drinking fountain in Balf, before we set off on the panoramic road to Fertőrákos. Here, in addition to the beautiful view, there are big climbs, slopes and sharp turns. It is true that we encounter many challenges, but after cycling up, the sight makes us forget everything. If you visit the countryside in autumn, during the harvest season, you can even enjoy delicious, fresh grape juice among the vineyards. During our trip, we can see perhaps the only olive plantation of Austria around Mörbisch am See (Fertőmeggyes)!

The alternating landscape of forested roads and sloping hills guides us to Sopron, showing us such an incredible view and rich values that we will not soon forget. After climbing the hill, and collecting the shorter momentum provided by the slopes, we arrive at the cobbled streets of Sopron.

Throughout this section, there are bicycle restaurants waiting for travellers, where we can rest our bikes comfortably and receive friendly service. In the evening, if you still have energy left after the busy day, it is worth taking a short walk in the downtown of Sopron, the evening lights dress the buildings in beautiful colours. Grapes have been grown in the countryside since Roman times, so it is worth tasting the traditional varieties of wine offered by the Sopron wine region.