National and historical symbols of Hungary

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Révfülöp

(The County of Veszprém)

The municipality of Révfülöp is a famous resort site by the northern shore of Lake Balaton, in the county of Veszprém.

The coat-of-arms is a shield erect, the base curved to a point. On a ground azure in the field or a demi-ferryman moustached sable, habited azure with buttons or and in a hat sable, standing at the stern of a boat and rowing with an oar gules to the dexter. Issuing from the middle of the boat a giant vine stalk gules, adorned in the middle by two leaves vert; growing on the stalk two gigantic bunches of grape on the dexter and one on the sinister.

The coat-of-arms evokes the name of the settlement. According to documents of later dates its ferry harbour was used as early as the 11-12th centuries, although its first documented mention dates back to 1330. The ferry was in operation until 1548, when it was destroyed by the Turks. After the Turkish rule the members of the Bárány family from Rendes restarted the ferry service. Following an accident in 1796, the boats bound together were replaced by barge-like ferries, then, in 1912, the modern harbour was built.

Viticulture has been a typical occupation from the very beginning. According to the evidence of archeological findings, the area used to be inhabited by vine-growing Romans, whereas its first mention from the Middle Ages relates that out of the eight families living here, seven were the viticulturists of the Abbey of Tihany (1211). At the end of the 19th century the vines were totally destroyed by phylloxera, but today several inhabitants cultivate their own vineyards of various sizes in the area. In Christian belief, the luxuriant and fertile vine stalk is one of Christ's symbols, while the red wine is a sacrificial drink referring to him. Révfülöp's church, the ruins of which have survived, was built in the 13th century, presumably in order to replace an earlier one destroyed by the Mongols. The patron saint of this newly-built church is St Joseph the labourer, whose patronial festival is still held on May1.

In heraldry the golden field represents abundance, wealth and fame, and this is emphatically true in the case of Révfülöp. Neither was Nature miserly when it created the gorgeous landscape and the picturesque view. Prehistoric man, as well as the Roman colonisers could make a living here; nor was the place avoided by the waves of the great migration, whereas the Abbey of Tihany held possessions in the area. Although the settlement got depopulated in the period of the Turkish reign, after the Turks had been driven out, some twenty-five prospective owners competed for its lands. Révfülöp recovered from the devastation by phylloxera, and in the meantime it became a famous resort. The settlement's excellent conditions for recreation and holiday-making were discovered by the middle class at the end of the 19th century, and soon long rows of villas and holiday cottages were buil; in addition, a special society was founded with the purpose of taking care of public areas. The creation and upkeeping of traditions has always been close to the hearts of locals and the owners of holiday homes. This is proved by a renowned collection of artefacts related to local history, an art gallery, a local newspaper and a magazine, other occasional publications and programmes (Feast of Villa Filip, Révfülöp Winter Nights, cross-Balaton swimming, etc.), by the homage paid to war heroes and by the respect towards the celebrities who pay a visit or have a shorter or longer holiday here.

The colour blue of the coat-of-arms obviously recalls Lake Balaton, but at the same time it symbolises tranquillity, peace and the joy of life. It suggests that even if history was occasionally stormy like the lake itself, when these storms had died down, life did go on as before. In addition, the blue refers to the settlement's character as a resort, as a paradise of anglers and lovers of water sports, the abundance of water life, the possibilities for swimming, lying on the beach, sailing, and everything else that can make life beautiful, colourful and enjoyable.

Pictures:

01. The Millenial Look-out Tower at Fülöp-hegy

02. Village Hall

03. The ruined church at 'Sziget'.

04. Building in the marina

05. View.

06. Pier in the marina.