Palkonya
Cultural Village of Europe 2007
Hungary
Palkonya, a village of one street and 350 inhabitants in Southern-Baranya has maintained the architectural heritage of the German vintners settled to this region in the 18th century.
The most notable architectural landmark of the village is the row of wine cellars consisting of 53 press houses with caves on the hill at the end of the village. These press houses have been built gradually over the golden age of winemaking and grape growing at the beginning of the 19th century. Their whitewashed facades are still a gripping site today.
More and more tourists of the Siklós-Villány Wine Route enjoy visiting these cellars full of blazing red wines and vintners’ hospitality.
The village’s children and those traveling through have great fun in Palkonya’s wooden playground, an outstanding work of art by folk woodcarvers.
Those who are here for fishing or hiking will find refreshment in the quite surroundings and the rich bird varieties of the nearby fishery lakes.
The most frequented event in Palkonya is the “Open Cellars of Pentecost", put together yearly on Pentecost Sunday by the villagers and the Village Council.
On these occasions Palkonya welcomes guests for various cultural events, children’s’ activities, horse drawn carriages, bacon roasting, and naturelly, wine tasting.