National and historical symbols of Hungary

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Csömör

(County Pest)

Shield erect, party per cross azure and or, the base curved to a point. The principal tinctures (the blue and the yellow [gold]) are Csömör's traditional colours.

The upper dexter field bears: azure, the stylised image of the primeval marsh: three reeds vert, each topped with a mace or.

The upper sinister field bears: or, on a triple mound vert a patriarchal cross argent.

The lower dexter field bears: or, on a vine leaf vert a bunch of grapes or.

The lower sinister field bears: azure, a shield party per pale in bend, the dexter field fretty argent, the sinister field or, topped at the sinister edge with a pot helm argent crested with plumes or and argent.

Csömör, a settlement of nearly 7,000 inhabitants and situated in the vicinity of Budapest can boast a history of almost 900 years. Research has proved that as early as the Magyar conquest, various ethnic groups settled down in the area.

According to a written document dated 1135, in which the settlement was first mentioned, a person called Lampert, who was related to the royal dynasty, bestowed the village Chemer on the monasteries of Bozók. Later it was purchased by the Zay family. This explains their acquired forename, an example of which is Franciscus de Chemer. The village got completely depopulated during the Turkish occupation. After the expulsion of the Turks the Neoacquistica Commissio (commission set up by the Hapsburgs in order to redistribute the liberated lands, translator's note; ordered that the area be given to the Wattay family, who in 1720 resettled it with Lutheran Slovaks. Following this, Csömör was acquired by Count Antal Grassalkovich, who in 1826 settled here German peasants from the wine-growing region of the Buda Hills in order to increase the number of the population, which had been decimated in the great cholera epidemic of 1811. Although economic development slowed down due to the two world wars, owing to the skills of the dwellers and its excellent conditions, Csömör underwent a spectacular transformation, an example of which is the fact that as early as 1889 it was connected to the capital with a suburban railway.

The settlement surrounded by the undulating hills of the Cserhát Mountains is a favourite tourist spot, and its nearby scenic areas are easily accessible both on foot or by bicycle.

Families who prefer peaceful and relaxing outings can spend delightful hours in the picturesque six-hectare area of the local fish pond, from where one can also see Csömör's primeval swamps, a unique area even on a European scale, extremely rich in natural beauty.

Since it was destroyed and depopulated on many occasions during its history, Csömör cannot boast a great number of historical buildings. However, the rural-style houses with their porches and columns in the zigzag streets of the old village have preserved some of the atmosphere of the 19th century, as well as the characteristics of Slovak and German traditional architecture.

The so-called Church of the Bread, a Calvinist church built in 1873 is a unique building of its kind in the whole country, because it features a number of seccoes depicting wheat and bread.

The Catholic church was built in 1741 to honour St John of Nepomuc. The interior is richly decorated with frescoes on the walls and on the ceiling.

Artefacts of rural life and folk art are on display in the local museum.

Csömör's sports hall with a capacity of nearly 1,000, in addition to catering for the physical educational needs of local schoolchildren, is also home of the men's handball team called Csömör KSK, which is one of the best in the NB-I/B (national league division two). Moreover, it houses other club sections like the first division indoor soccer team RFC Csömör, the cycling section and the juvenile girls' handball team.

At Csömör two riding schools are available for those who like equestrian sports.

The settlement, rightfully taking pride in its traditions and community life, offers a variety of cultural programmes throughout the year. These include the Village Festival and the Pentecost Festival, a four-day programme featuring among many other events a traditional Slovak wedding feast and the programmes of local amateur groups, the local wine competition traditionally held at the beginning of the year, and the events called Csömöri Ősz (Csömör's Autumn Vintage Festival).

The National Festival of Religious Music in the Catholic church has already been held nine times. Other important religious events feature the Corpus Christi liturgy, unique of its kind in the whole of Hungary, when the streets are covered with kilometre-long colourful carpets made of flowers and are flanked with floral altars.

Local children can prepare for the challenges of the future in up-to-date and well-equipped school buildings. The local music school educates pupils who are interested in and have a talent for music.

The Home for the Elderly was established with the aim of caring for senior citizens who are in need and who spent their lives with hard work.

As a result of the several-year-long well-balanced and responsible local politics, Csömör today can boast good infrastructure with gas pipelines, water mains and a sewage system. The telephone is also available for every villager.

If you want to relax and would like to spend just a few pleasant hours at a memorable place, you and your family are kindly invited to visit Csömör and get acquainted with the settlement's natural beauty and cultural values.

Picture

1. View of the fish pond

2. View of Csömör

3. Corpus Christi procession