The ten-hectares of flowering lavender plantation near Lake Balaton is truly a unique visual treat in the summer months of June to August. During blossom time open tours to these flowering fields on the Tihany Peninsula are organised, lead by professional guides.
Lavender Fields - Tihany Peninsula, Hungary
There is an annual Lavender Festival (Levendula Fesztivál) held in Tihany. The lavender harvest is an important event of the Lavender Festival. Participants receive ‘fragrant gifts’ made from the flowers they themselves have picked.
The outing also provides an opportunity for nature lovers to familiarize themselves with the natural assets of the flora and fauna on the peninsula as well as to take a walk along the shore of the Inner Lake (Belső-tó).
The Tihany Peninsula, the first natural reserve to be created in Hungary, has a great wealth of ecological, geographical and geological treasures. Access to the Tihany Peninsula natural reserve is only permitted on foot and is restricted to designated paths.
A special feature of the local climate is that it allows figs to ripen as often as three times a year, but the peninsula is most recognized for its lavender fields. Lavender was first planted en-masse in the 1920's and then spread over the Summit Hill (Csúcs-hegy).
In Hungary, medicinal plants have been collected or grown in household gardens for centuries. The first written records of medicinal plant cultivation date back to the Middle Ages and can be found in the Latin works of Italian and French monks who arrived in Hungary.
Moreover, some plant species (e.g. Lamiaceae) had probably entered the Carpathian Basin right at that time, enriching the medicinal plant treasure of the monasteries and noble mansions. High-volume medicinal plant cultivation started at the end of the last century and Hungary soon became the main supplier in Europe.
During World War I, the resulting shortage in medicine directed the attention even more on medicinal and aromatic plants. As a result, in 1915 in Hungary a Medicinal Plant Experimental Station was established (the first of its kind in the world). Hungary soon became a medicinal plant epicenter. This was manifested in the increased drug- and aromatic oil production to supply the nation as well as for export.
The Medicinal Plant Experimental Station led to further research and development within this scientific field of study. It was at this time, for example, that János Kabay developed his world patent of producing morphine from dry poppy capsules.
Domestic aromatic-oil production from peppermint, chamomile, ‘English’ and ‘French’ lavender greatly increased in the 1920’s. Due to its Mediterranean climate, the Tihany Peninsula became the hub of activity in the production of medicinal and aromatic plants – obtaining world-wide fame.
Tea- and drug shortage in the 2nd World War revitalized the research of medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as the development of cultivation and methods of processing. Trade of medicinal and aromatic plants became a great success in spite of the undeniable economic and political circumstances – and until today, remains an economical strength of the nation.
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