Alongside the predominant Triassic limestone, Jurassic limestone is also found in the Gerecse, particularly rich in fossils. The Gerecsei Tájvédelmi Körzet is a nationally significant, individually designated landscape protection area in Komárom-Esztergom and covers 8,676 hectares. This gives you access to a region where landscape and geological history come together: the rock itself is part of what there is to discover.
Gerecse and regional routes
If you would like to explore the area by bicycle, a route along the Által-ér connects Tata, Vértesszőlős and Tatabánya. It is easy and safe to travel between the towns along this route. This makes the landscape and cycling a distinct way to experience the region, alongside visits to its cultural and historical sites.
In the Duna-Gerecse tourism area, 19 virtual walks are available to download in Hungarian, German, English and Slovak; they work offline. If you would like to use them for guidance, check their availability in advance, as it may change.
Baroque complex, archaeology and fortress history
The Majki Kamalduli Remeteség is a Baroque monument complex with seventeen hermit houses, a church tower and a monastery. An exhibition explores the general history of the Camaldolese order and its history in Hungary. The complex combines distinctive architecture with a historical subject you can explore further in the exhibition.
The Brigetio Öröksége Látogatóközpont offers a different perspective: it houses a permanent interactive archaeological exhibition featuring finds from excavations at Brigetio. At Monostori Erőd, military history and later periods take centre stage. This military monument is part of the Komárom fortress system; exhibitions and staged scenes illustrate the eras of the monarchy, the world wars and the Soviet occupation. The fortress system in the territory of the two Komároms is on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
Stud farm history and historic carriages
At Bábolna Nemzeti Ménesbirtok, the tour begins with an exhibition on the history of the stud farm and continues in the Ménesudvar. The “Fogat bemutató, ménfelvezetés” programme presents four-, five- and two-horse teams; visitors can try these historic means of transport themselves.
Another option is a carriage ride to the nearby arboretum. Two carriages drawn by Shagya Arabian mares are available; advance booking is required. The exhibition, carriage-team presentation and ride each offer a different focus: you can discover the stud farm’s history, historic carriages and the arboretum as the destination of the ride.
Visiting hours and planning
The Majki Kamalduli Remeteség is open Tuesday through Sunday. From 1 April to 31 October, opening hours are 10:00 to 18:00; from 1 November to 31 March, they are 09:00 to 17:00. Check the hours before your visit, as they may change.
Komárom-Esztergom therefore offers a range of themes to plan your trip around: geological highlights and a cycling route along the Által-ér, exhibitions on monastic and archaeological history, and insights into the stud farm and fortress. You can choose your focus based on whether you are most interested in the landscape, historic sites or experiencing the carriage teams.
Discover more destinations: Kisbér, Oroszlány, Dorog, Ács, Komárom, Esztergom, Tata, Tatabánya, Kisbér.
For the main travel overview: Hungary.
