What Komarom-Esztergom is known for

Most of the Komárom-Esztergom County's territory is part of the Danube-Ipoly National Park, one of Hungary's most diverse national parks. The national park area includes the Pilis, Visegrád, and Börzsöny mountains, as well as part of the Ipoly Valley between Hont, Balassagyarmat, and some areas of Szentendre Island. The high natural diversity of the park is mainly caused by the collision of three landscape units: the mountains, plains, and river valleys. The national park was established in 1991 in order to protect the rivers and groundwater resources, as well as the forests and overall landscape. The rivers play a notable role in the park's fauna. The Danube, as one example, is a habitat of endemic snail species. The national park area offers numerous cultural and historical sights as well. The traces of Stone Age people were found in Börzsöny, mainly in the river valleys and in multiple caves on the Pilisi side. This area was presumably desireable for the richness of the Danube and the Ipoly and the abundance of forests. [6]

The Basilica in Esztergom is one of the most prominent historical and cultural sights of the territory. It played a significant role since the establishment of the Hungarian state, as well as in the trials and tribulations of the past centuries. The Basilica is situated among hills over the Danube Bend. Castle Hill became first the seat of Hungary’s rulers and later the main center of the Catholic Church of Hungary. The Basilica was built on a previous medieval church site in a Classicist style. The works were planned by Pál Kühnel, János Packh, and József Hild, started in 1822 and were finished by 1869.[7]

Other popular tourist destinations include the Tata Angolkert or the "English Garden of Tata." The English Garden was established in 1783. Its design was inspired by the breaking springs and environment of Lake Cseke. In the 1960s, the Angel Spring Cave and the Mirror Spring Cave were discovered there. The garden also features castle-like towers and abbey ruins.[8] Another prominent natural and historical sight is the Szelim cave, located at the western margin of the Gerecse Mountains. Several local legends are tied to this cave. Recently, Szelim became an archeological destination since remains of hearths, stoves, carvings, animal bones, and human remains were discovered there. Some of the excavations date back to the era of Turkish invasions.[9]

Geography

Komárom-Esztergom County is located in the Transdanubian Region, where Transdanubian Central Mountains approach the Danube River. The territory is relatively hilly, with some of the prominent mountains protruding to the Komárom-Esztergom area from Slovakia. Such examples involve the Bakoň Forest, Vertéš mountains, Gerecse, and Piliš. The Little Danube Basin extends in the northwestern portion of the region, mainly creating flat relief.[2]The most significant water flow in the area is the Danube, which is also a vital part of the European waterway system, including the Main and Rhine rivers as well. Danube ports of the region include Komárom and Esztergomcities, which helped to develop the industry. Some of the county's dominant exports are gravel, sand, sandstone, marl, limestone, petroleum, natural gas, and lignite. Thus, the products are primarily building materials and minerals. [1] 

In terms of nature preservation, an important role is played by the ecological system of the Danube in the north and Vértes in the south. The territory is a coherent mosaic of environmental networks of natural areas, protected natural areas, and forest areas along watercourses. The entire region of the county is under the administration of the highly diverse Danube-Ipoly National Par. The lowland areas of the county are associated with high-quality soil and favorable climatic conditions. Eastern parts are distinguished mostly by mountains, resulting in less favorable conditions for cultivation. Forests cover 27.1% of the Komárom-Esztergom County. [1]

The climate of the county is primarily humid and of continental character. The average annual temperature is 10.5°C, and the total precipitation of 600mm.[1] On average, the warmest month of the year is August at 28.6°C. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 4.0°C. The wettest month on average is June, with 64.0mm of precipitation. The driest month of the year is February, with 29.0mm of rainfall. July is the sunniest month, with 279 hours of sunshine on average.[5]

History

The territory of Komárom-Esztergom County has been inhabited since ancient times. One example is archeological finds of Vértesszőlős village, where a Middle Pleistocene human fossil, known as "Samu", was found. The area was later inhabited by different tribes, including Celts, Romans, Avars, Moravians, and Hungarians.[3] 

The Komárom Esztergom County was established by merging Komárom County and Esztergom County, which were initially independent counties founded by Stephen I of Hungary. Some areas of these counties belonged to what is currently Slovakian territory. In 1543 the castle of Esztergom was captured by the Ottomans during Turkish invasions. The castles of Érsekújvár, Komárom, and Tata maintained their authenticity and played a vital role in stopping the Ottomans from further conquests. Komárom County remained functional during Ottoman rule, as its castle had never been conquered. After the liberation from the Turks, the nobility returned to Esztergom County. However, the assembly was dissolved during the Rákóczi's War of Independence and reestablished again in 1710 in Esztergom and 1712 in Komárom. Esztergom became one of the two counties whose leadership consisted of nobles and not religious and political leaders.[4]

The first merging of Komárom and Esztergom counties occurred in 1786 and was issued by Joseph II. Tata became the new capital city; however, after he died in 1790, the counties parted again. In 1850 the parts located to the south of the Danube became part of the Esztergom County, with Esztergom as its capital city. Territory situated to the north of the Danube river was reorganized as Komárom County, with Komárom city as its capital. This establishment lasted until 1860. During the reorganization of counties in 1876, two towns in Komárom county—Lábatlan and Piszke—were added to Esztergom county. In 1919 the Czechoslovak Legion occupied parts of the Párkány and Komárom, situated on the northern border of the Danube. The region's administration was moved to the southern parts of the Esztergom and Komárom-New Komárom. The northern portion of these cities became part of Czechoslovakia after World War I due to the Treaty of Trianon. In 1923, the Hungarian parts of Komárom and Esztergom counties were merged under the name of "Administratively pre-merged county of Komárom and Esztergom." In 1938, after the First Vienna Award, the two counties were restored to their original size. The area of Csallóköz was also added to the Komárom County's territory, although it originally belonged to the Pozsony County. In 1937, due to World War II, the county's borders were restored, and Komárom and Esztergom counties were now merged for the last time under the name Komárom-Esztergom county, as it is known today.[4]