Development of Kis-Balaton for Tourism Purpose

West-Transdanubian Environmental and Water Directorate, supported by the European Union, successfully applied for the development of showing of Kis-Balaton, exploitation of its tourist appeal, its many-sided utilization, making a service background of high standard and various programmes.

The application consists of three bigger sections, in which some smaller planned aims were associated:

Development of Kis-Balaton House and its surroundings

Renewing the exhibition, developing its interactive aspect
Building a "Water" playground (demonstrating the route, power and usability of water in a playful way)
Building a Cycling House, opportunity to rent a bike
Organizing a "Safari trip" by bus for showing the highly protected and - closed - inner areas of Kis-Balaton

Building a cycle path and a new lookout tower

Development of the Excursion Centre of Kányavár Island and its surroundings

Creating infrastructural background (building a new water block, moreover drinking water is available with public utility supply)
Obstacle exemption (a "small" ferryboat is provided for the disabled and families with small children or baby carriage so that they can get to the Island)

Kis-Balaton House (Zalavár, Vársziget)

Entering the entrance hall of the Kis-Balaton House, operation and functions of the KBWPS -following the route of water in reality - are displayed by an aerial photo. The first exhibition room of the ground floor invites you to a journey in time. First you cross a wooden bridge from which you can see graves opened up by an excavation. This is followed by the inner structure of an agricultural building from the age of Carolings. After this, in a "tower" built by stone-wall, you can get acquainted with the history and life of Zalavár of the Middle Ages. Passing through a paved archway, formation of Kis-Balaton can be followed up on maps throughout the past four centuries. The underwater life of the Kis-Balaton, in the separated review room, is brought closer to visitors by films being about water living creatures and a diorama. In this surrounding it is not hard to "become" a part of the underwater life.

You can also get to know the particular tools and objects of reedy life. Paintings of István Szkok, being full of feeling,bring back the natural world where also "Tüskevár" took place written by, a well-known author of the natural and books for the young, István Fekete. Uncle Matula's stylized hut and showing film pieces, based on the book, raise a monument to the memory of this, too. "Under the shroud of darkness" you can enjoy the lights, sounds and smells of the swamp.

In the other room of this level you can learn more about the Water Protection System. Alluviation of different types of water is demonstrated in glass cylinders on the built stage. Through the "peep holes", however, world of water living beings which can be seen only under microscopes appears to view. Visitors can discover the marvellous world of Kis-Balaton as a living picture on their own, sitting in an "anchoring" boat by means of web cameras and by their control, in a boggy-reedy environment that is so characteristic of the area.

A charming cartoon made by Ferenc Sajdik gives information on the process of the food chain for both little children and bigger ones. A computer game and an information system are also ready for visitors.

Also in the projection room you can get to know the wonderful wetland habitats of Kis-Balaton, and other that of our country in addition to special events of the Hungarian water management through motion pictures.

On the first floor the summer and winter wildlife of the marsh is shown with the help of a diorama.

A colourful drawing class is furnished for children where they can draw and have a talk about their recent experiences, exhibit their work.

"Water" playground on Kis-Balaton

This built playground, which definitely meets the requirements of the European Union, is formed on an area of 1500 m2 between the Kis-Balaton House and Szent István Chapel; where children can test their senses and abilities.

Beside the inevitable games - see-saw, different swings, jungle gym, there are also "water games", and on another side of the playground, in a grassy - woody parkland we placed forest-huts. The traditional games -beyond entertainment - also develop the movement coordination and sense of balance of children. In the "forest-area" they can run about, play games, play hide-and-seek or jump. We built such a playground near Kis-Balaton, being a water habitat, where also children can get into direct connection with water. The central place of the playground is the "water block" where they can see and experience the way of water, its power and universality in a playful way. Here, they can sprinkle and splash to their liking. They can move the water wheel, even the "water chick" "plays" with them! They can stop and than restart the water of the river using small sluice-gates. They can experience how the water gets into an upper area with the help of a worm.

We are looking forward to coming younger and older visitors with resting-places and beautiful surroundings, hoping that this way more and more children get to know this wonderful scenery and world.

Cycle path at Kis-Balaton

Kis-Balaton is a particularly protected and closed nature conservation area. To demonstrate the I. phase of the Water Protection System, a cycle path was built which is about 5 km long. It starts with a short distance of 250 m from the Kis-Balaton House and goes along an asphalted bank to Zalavár-Balatonmagyaród by-road. A new lookout tower was also constructed next to the cycle path, on an extant sluice-gate (the draw gate can also be seen). Visitors can watch the uniquely rich flora and fauna of Lake Hídvég and enjoy the wonderful surrounding scenery. The new cycle path ends in the neighbourhood of the hiding place for birdwatchers, called "Madárvárta". Bird life can be observed from this special timber constructed building, hiding place. Resting-places were built near the lookout tower and the "Madárvárta".

Cycling House

Attaching to the cycle path, next to the Kis-Balaton House a newly built Cycling House was opened, from which visitors can rent 40 bicycles but there's an opportunity to go on organized tours for both adults and children.

Safari at Kis-Balaton

Discover the "secret, closed" world of Kis-Balaton, its beautiful and rich natural values are shown through an organized excursion by bus for tourists.

Trips are organized between June 1 and August 3, two times a week (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) leaving from the Kis-Balaton House. The itinerary of the "Safari trip" of 20 km is determined and the expected duration of the trip is about one and a half hour. Portable, personal recorders guide the visitors in Hungarian, English and German languages at Kis-Balaton.

Developing the Kányavár Island and its surroundings

In the area of the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System only the Excursion Centre of Kányavár Island and the cycling path are free to visit and walk all over. We would like more and more visitors to get to know the unique flora and fauna of the island, admire the specially structured timber bridge that became the symbol of Kis-Balaton and relax in the beautiful environment. Getting to the island of disabled visitors, families with small children or baby carriage, because of the individuality of the bridge structure, is tackled with setting to work a "small" ferryboat that carries every visitor to the island if needed.

To spend your free time cultured, creation of a proper background is essential; that's why a new water block was built next to the parking area of the island. Men's, women's and disabled toilets, wash-rooms are available. In the building drinking water is provided. Work up of the public utility supply was executed also in the frame of the project " Development of Kis-Balaton for Tourism Purpose".

General project data

Beneficiary:
West-Transdanubian Environmental and Water Directorate

Project title:
Development of Kis-Balaton for Tourism Purposes

Identification number:
ROP-1.1.1.-2004-11-0002/32

Start date: 29 December, 2006
Finish date: 30 September, 2008
Total project cost: 228.755.879 HUF
Required grant: 223.036.982 HUF

75% European Union, European Regional Development Fund: 167.277.736 HUF
25% Hungarian Governmental Financing: 55.759.246 HUF
Own resources (Funded by the Ministry of Environment and Water) 5.718.897 HUF

Contributors, partners:

Balaton Uplands National Park
Local Government of Zalavár
Local Government of Balatonmagyaród

Participants involved in the implementation:

HORVÁTH-ÉP Közmu-, Út és Mélyépítô Kft.
FEJES ÉS TÁRSA Építôipari, Kereskedelmi és Szolgáltató Kft.
ERANDO Biztonságtechnikai Tanácsadó és Kereskedelmi Kft.
DIAMOND Kft.
MAHIR Kiállítás és Rendezvény Kft.
M& M - Pack Kft.
Mile Zoltán vállalkozó
MAHART TISZAYACHT Kft.

Project main elements:

Construction of a lookout tower 4.764.000 HUF
Construction of a cycle house 7.900.000 HUF
Purchase of bicycles 2.470.000 HUF
Building a playground 25.800.000 HUF
Building up a webcam display 34.800.000 HUF
Construction of a water block and public utility supply in the Kányavár Island 27.000.000 HUF
Construction of a ferry 9.500.000 HUF
Asphalting of the cycling path 28.000.000 HUF
Renewal of the exhibition of the Kis-Balaton House 29.700.000 HUF

István Nádor
Director of West-Transdanubian Environmental and Water Directorate

Let's protect together the quality of water in Kis-Balaton and thus in Lake Balaton; let's preserve the natural beauties of this extraordinary landscape!

"Development of Kis-Balaton for Tourism Purpose" project is co-financed by the European Union.
Beneficiary: West -Transdanubian Environmental and Water Directorate
www.nyuduvizig.hu - www.kisbalaton.hu
Info line: 06 40 638 638
nfu@meh.hu www.nfu.hu