Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
THE PLACE WHERE THE PLAIN, THE MOUNTAINS AND THE DANUBE MEET 17 DANUBE BEND Vác is situated on the left bank of the Danube. The river, which runs across the Carpathian Basin, and the specific terrain, determine the image and the life of the settlement. With its 2840 km length, the Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the River Volga. It runs across Hungary from west to east first, then at the Visegrád Pass called the Danube Bend It changes direction and heads from north to south. Danube. The river slowed down and broke up into several branches on the flat area, depositing its alluvium (or sediment) thus forming Szentendre Island and the islands that belong to Vác. Vác lies right on the Danube bank, which has preserved most of its natural condition in some sections. As a result of this, if we start our walk in downtown and go along the river, we soon reach lush green areas. DANUBE-IPOLY NATIONAL PARK The area of the Danube Bend belongs to the Danube- Ipoly National Park Management that was founded in 1997. Their registered headquarters are in Esztergom, while their head office is in Budapest. The task of the Board is to map, manage and maintain the natural environment of the region. In addition to preservation, they also play an important role in presentation The River Danube In olden times, about 40 million years ago the river entered the Carpathian Basin through the Dévény Pass and flowed straight southwards as far as the riverbed of the ancient Dráva. One and a half million years ago the area, which had been mostly flat until then, started rising in the north, progressing eastwards. This process resulted in the birth of the Northern Medium Mountain Range. The riverbed of the Danube had been following the same direction, towards the rising sun, until it was stopped by the steep climb of the Visegrád Mountain. The river, more powerful at that time, simply cut the mountain into two parts, separating the area of Hegyes Peak from the Visegrád block, forming the Visegrád Pass and the famous bend of the of the national park and the shaping of people's attitudes. Most of Szentendre Island, the Visegrád Mountain and the Börzsöny Mountain belong to the National Park, as well as Kompkötő Island and Égető Island near Vác. Naszály Hill is registered only as an area of local significance although it would deserve national protection. The meeting of the Visegrád Mountain and the Danube Sand-bank in the Danube
