Zirc

Zirc is a small town in Hungary located in the Bakony mountains and serves as a center for the region. The town blends old architecture with green spaces, featuring quiet streets, parks, and historic structures including a Cistercian abbey founded in 1182 that still stands today.

The town was founded around 1182 by King Béla III when Cistercian monks built the abbey here. After destruction during Ottoman times, Zirc experienced revival from the 18th century onward and eventually developed into the town it is today.

The town carries strong connections to the Bakony region and its natural surroundings shape daily life here. Walking through the streets and gathering spaces, you notice how locals value their connection to the forests and mountains that frame the community.

The town is easily accessible by bus and car, with accommodations and dining options for visitors of all budgets. Several marked hiking trails start from bus stops on the outskirts, leading to nearby villages and historical sites.

The Zirci Arboretum behind the abbey contains around 600 types of trees and shrubs, including a row of linden trees planted over 200 years ago. Guided tours can include visits to underground crypts of old churches and carefully reconstructed medieval ruins found within the grounds.