Soltvadkert
Encyclopedia
Soltvadkürt is a town located in Bács-Kiskun County, Hungary
. The town is surrounded by several areas of the Kiskunság National Park
. The mayor
is Ferencz Lehoczki.
Croats
in Hungary call this town Vakier (compare older Hungarian name, Vadkürt).
. It was founded in 1376. While Hungary was occupied by the Turkish army, Soltvadkürt lost much of its population. In the beginning of the 1740s, Baron
Orczy moved German
settlers to Soltvadkürt. The town has quickly developed its main center of tourism in the county.
Lake Vadkert
(also called Büdös-tó), is nearby Soltvadkürt. It attracts many tourists every year from all over Europe.
Soltvadkürt is well known throughout Europe
for its wine production which goes back centuries in history. Its multicultural past, present, and future mainly depends on the grape and wine industry.
The village of Selymes located south of the town towards Kiskunhalas
is administratively part of Soltvadkürt.
regions in Hungary. There are grapes on over 8,000 ha
in the area. Soltvadkürt is home to a variety of grapes. The town annually produces about 250-300 thousand hl of wine
.
immigrants in the 18th century who built the church. Freedom of religion was, however, forbidden, and the Roman Catholic archbishop
and his servants of Kalocsa
have many times destroyed the church. A new Lutheran church was built in 1837, which is still in a very good shape. During the centuries, schools and other church-oriented buildings were constructed around it. The church currently has three bells
in use. Inside the church there is a historical Rieger
organ
, which was installed in 1908. On the side of the church wall is a German sign which states: "Dies ist der Denckstein der evangelica Kirche in Vadkert" (This is the cornerstone of the Lutheran church of Vadkert). After 40 years of persecution
, the Lutheran community is still active in Soltvadkert.
The Roman Catholic Church
has been represented in Soltvadkert since 1737. It is currently the biggest Christian denomination
in town by population. The first church was built in the 18th century for Baron
Lőrinc Orczy. Since 1908, a larger church has also been in use.
In 1722, seven Calvinist families moved to Vadkert from Germany
. Others followed them in the 1740s. After years of religious persecution, they were finally allowed to build a church, which was finished at noon on September 26, 1794.
The Baptist
mission
started in 1891 in Soltvadkert. As of the year 2000, there are over two hundred followers of the church.
The history of the Pentecostal church in Soltvadkert goes back to 1935. The Pentecostal movement, which started in 1900 in the United States, reached Soltvadkert after WWI.
Soltvadkert was home to a thriving Jewish community before World War II
. Almost all Soltvadkert Jews were murdered during The Holocaust
; the surviving few emigrated to Budapest
or left the country. Today, the Jewish cemetery remains the only sign that Jews ever lived in Soltvadkert.
. After the 2006 election, its members include:
is visited by many people all year long. In the summer, it hosts a number of concerts and festivals. The town center is also home to a nationally renowned confectionery
and coffee shop.
team from Soltvadkert. They are widely known in the region and their games attract many fans. Soltvadkert is the hometown of Ágnes Szávay
, who is the all-time highest ranked Hungarian tennis player.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. The town is surrounded by several areas of the Kiskunság National Park
Kiskunság National Park
The Kiskunság National Park is a national park located mainly in Bács-Kiskun county, Hungary. It was created in 1975 and declared a biosphere reserve by the UNESCO...
. The mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
is Ferencz Lehoczki.
Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
in Hungary call this town Vakier (compare older Hungarian name, Vadkürt).
History
The town has been called Soltvadkürt since 1900. Before that, it was called Vadkürt, which is a reference to the region's active wildlife in HungarianHungarian language
Hungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
. It was founded in 1376. While Hungary was occupied by the Turkish army, Soltvadkürt lost much of its population. In the beginning of the 1740s, Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
Orczy moved German
Ethnic German
Ethnic Germans historically also ), also collectively referred to as the German diaspora, refers to people who are of German ethnicity. Many are not born in Europe or in the modern-day state of Germany or hold German citizenship...
settlers to Soltvadkürt. The town has quickly developed its main center of tourism in the county.
Lake Vadkert
Lake Vadkert
Lake Vadkert is a lake nearby the town of Soltvadkert, Hungary. It became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hungary since it had similar features to Lake Balaton, but cheaper prices and no overcrowding.-History:Lake Vadkürt was first mentioned on military maps in the 1780s...
(also called Büdös-tó), is nearby Soltvadkürt. It attracts many tourists every year from all over Europe.
Soltvadkürt is well known throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for its wine production which goes back centuries in history. Its multicultural past, present, and future mainly depends on the grape and wine industry.
Geography and environment
Soltvadkürt is located at 46°34'41" North, 19°23'45" East .The village of Selymes located south of the town towards Kiskunhalas
Kiskunhalas
- Railroad :The city is an important railway junction. It crosses the Budapest-Subotica-Belgrade railway line. The Kiskunfélegyháza railway ends in Kiskunhalas.- Name :...
is administratively part of Soltvadkürt.
Demographics
As the census of 2001 the people of Soltvadkürt identified themselves as:- Hungarian - 98.0%
- Roma - 0.7%
- Mixed/Other - 1.3%
Economy
Soltvadkürt is the center of one of the biggest wineWine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
regions in Hungary. There are grapes on over 8,000 ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
in the area. Soltvadkürt is home to a variety of grapes. The town annually produces about 250-300 thousand hl of wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
.
Education
Soltvadkürt is home to the Lajos Kossuth Elementary and Middle School (in Hungarian: Kossuth Lajos Általános és Művészeti Alapiskola), but does not have any high schools.Religion
Soltvadkürt belongs to those rare Hungarian towns that have a Lutheran church in the center. This is due to the high number of GermanGermans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
immigrants in the 18th century who built the church. Freedom of religion was, however, forbidden, and the Roman Catholic archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
and his servants of Kalocsa
Kalocsa
Kalocsa is a town in Bács-Kiskun county, Hungary. It lies 88 miles south of Budapest. It is situated in a marshy but highly productive district, near the left bank of the Danube River. Historically it had greater political and economic importance than at present.Kalocsa is the Episcopal see...
have many times destroyed the church. A new Lutheran church was built in 1837, which is still in a very good shape. During the centuries, schools and other church-oriented buildings were constructed around it. The church currently has three bells
Church bell
A church bell is a bell which is rung in a church either to signify the hour or the time for worshippers to go to church, perhaps to attend a wedding, funeral, or other service...
in use. Inside the church there is a historical Rieger
Rieger Orgelbau
Rieger Orgelbau is an Austrian firm of organ builders, known generally as Rieger. The firm was founded by Franz Rieger. From 1873 it was known as Rieger & Söhne, and from 1879 as Gebrüder Rieger, after his sons took over. At the end of World War II, the firm was nationalised by the Czech government...
organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
, which was installed in 1908. On the side of the church wall is a German sign which states: "Dies ist der Denckstein der evangelica Kirche in Vadkert" (This is the cornerstone of the Lutheran church of Vadkert). After 40 years of persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
, the Lutheran community is still active in Soltvadkert.
The Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
has been represented in Soltvadkert since 1737. It is currently the biggest Christian denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
in town by population. The first church was built in the 18th century for Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
Lőrinc Orczy. Since 1908, a larger church has also been in use.
In 1722, seven Calvinist families moved to Vadkert from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Others followed them in the 1740s. After years of religious persecution, they were finally allowed to build a church, which was finished at noon on September 26, 1794.
The Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
mission
Mission (Christian)
Christian missionary activities often involve sending individuals and groups , to foreign countries and to places in their own homeland. This has frequently involved not only evangelization , but also humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged...
started in 1891 in Soltvadkert. As of the year 2000, there are over two hundred followers of the church.
The history of the Pentecostal church in Soltvadkert goes back to 1935. The Pentecostal movement, which started in 1900 in the United States, reached Soltvadkert after WWI.
Soltvadkert was home to a thriving Jewish community before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Almost all Soltvadkert Jews were murdered during The Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
; the surviving few emigrated to Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
or left the country. Today, the Jewish cemetery remains the only sign that Jews ever lived in Soltvadkert.
Government
The city of Soltvadkert is managed by the city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
. After the 2006 election, its members include:
- László Bezsenyi, Independent, 1,423 votes, 6.07%
- Sándor FontSándor FontSándor Font is a member of the National Assembly of Hungary . He was elected to his first term in 1998. He is a Fidesz party member. He is married and has two daughters, Sára and Orsolya, and a son, Márk...
, FIDESZFidesz – Hungarian Civic UnionThe Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union is a major conservative party in Hungary. At the 2010 election in Hungary, Fidesz-KDNP won a two-thirds majority of seats by gaining 52% of the votes, with Fidesz winning 227 seats and KDNP winning 36...
party member, 1,970 votes, 8.41%
- László Haskó, FIDESZ, 1,339 votes, 5.72%
- András Kárász, FIDESZ, 1,168 votes, 4.99%
- János Kerényi, Dr., FIDESZ, 1,505 votes, 6.42%
- Ernő Kocsis, FIDESZ, 1,197 votes, 5.11%
- Istvánné Korsós, FIDESZ, 961 votes, 4.10%
- Szabolcs Lantos, FIDESZ, 1,002 votes, 4.28%
- Ferenc Májer, FIDESZ, 957 votes, 4.08%
- László Somogyi, FIDESZ, 1,424 votes, 6.08%
- Ferenc Temerini, FIDESZ, 1,408 votes, 6.01%
- Attila Udvarhelyi, Independent, 920 votes, 3.93%
- Győző Zsikla, Independent, 963 votes, 4.11%
Tourism
Soltvadkert is one of Hungary's most visited towns. The city center has a large number of specialty shops and restaurants offering fine food. Soltvadkert offers a variety of community programs every month. The nearby Lake VadkertLake Vadkert
Lake Vadkert is a lake nearby the town of Soltvadkert, Hungary. It became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hungary since it had similar features to Lake Balaton, but cheaper prices and no overcrowding.-History:Lake Vadkürt was first mentioned on military maps in the 1780s...
is visited by many people all year long. In the summer, it hosts a number of concerts and festivals. The town center is also home to a nationally renowned confectionery
Confectionery
Confectionery is the set of food items that are rich in sugar, any one or type of which is called a confection. Modern usage may include substances rich in artificial sweeteners as well...
and coffee shop.
Sports
Vadkert FC is a professional footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team from Soltvadkert. They are widely known in the region and their games attract many fans. Soltvadkert is the hometown of Ágnes Szávay
Ágnes Szávay
Ágnes Szávay is a professional tennis player from Hungary. She is the country's highest ranked tennis player. She was the WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2007. She achieved her career high ranking of World No. 13 on April 14, 2008.- Background :...
, who is the all-time highest ranked Hungarian tennis player.
External links
- Official site in Hungarian
- 2006 election results in Hungarian