Radó Dezső: Parks and Forests - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
Normafa Alongside the track of the Children's Railway a trail marked by red triangles leads to Normafa, a spectacular viewpoint on Szabadság Hill at an elevation of 477 m. It links Szabadság Hill to János Hill via Hármaskút Hill. On the west side vast forests extend from Budakeszi, Makkosmária, and Csillebérc on the gentle slope to the ridge, from where the steep and clear eastern slopes yield a majestic view. The forests of this area were purchased by the city from the treasury at the end of the last century, since when they have become a popular recreation area. According to a memorial plaque, in 1840 here under an age-old beech, which eventually fell in 1927, Rozália Klein-Schodel, who was renowned throughout Europe and a member of the old National Theater opera troupe allegedly sang the great aria of Norma from Bellini’s opera. Hence name of the area derives from this story. In 1962 a young beech was planted to commemorate the Normafa (Norma tree). There is a column with verses by Gábor Devecseri beside it. It is worth mentioning the original Norma tree, which, according to legend, was planted in the era of King Matthias, and lived for four and a half centuries. It is not at all unbelievable. Trees live long if remain undisturbed. Normafa offers ample possibilities for sport and recreation in wintertime. Ski and sledge tracks take us to the Harang Valley, the picturesque extension of the Normafa slope. Walkers may descend by the Kossuth statue and Disznófő Restaurant on the trail marked with yellow to the terminus of bus 28, which goes to the major traffic hub, Moszkva tér. The northern slope of Sváb Hill is an ideal habitat for beech. One hectare of these trees produces eight tonnes of oxygen by breaking down 10-11 tonnes of carbondioxyde during the yearly vegetation period (170 days on average in Hungary). The trees cool the summer air by transpiration. They replace the lighter air heated in the city, thus dispersing the polluted and dusty air of Budapest. South from Normafa, a trail passes by Csillebérc and a hiking lodge, then leads to the brick pits excavated on Frank Hill. From Normafa the trails marked with yellow and green lead to the picturesque village of Makkosmária. The valley here, cut into the Buda marl on the Harang ualley - the picturesque slope of Normafa 38
