Kimle: River Landscape and Local History

Kimle combines a distinctive location on the Mosoni-Duna with a history that brings together three named settlements. The river bend and the churches in Horvátkimle and Magyarkimle give the area different points of reference in its landscape and history. Kimle can therefore be understood as a travel destination through both its surroundings and the development of its constituent settlements.

River Landscape and Origins

Kimle lies in an eight-kilometre-long bend of the Mosoni-Duna. Hanság and Szigetköz also meet near Kimle. These details describe different scales: the river bend defines the town’s location on the river, while the two landscape names indicate the wider geographical setting. Kimle came into being in 1966, when the new bridge opened and Horvátkimle, Magyarkimle and Novákpuszta merged. The date connects the formation of present-day Kimle with the bridge opening; the three names are thus part of the history of the present-day town.

Churches and Places of Remembrance

The Church of St Michael in Horvátkimle acquired its present form in 1780. Gothic details in the choir point to an earlier origin: the date therefore refers to its present form, while individual architectural features indicate an earlier history. From the church, the chestnut avenue A hősök útja leads to the cemetery gate. Its name and route give this local place of remembrance a distinct character.

In Magyarkimle, the Church of the Visitation stands on the site of a church that was already there in the 13th century. The historical connection here is to the location of the former church. This makes it possible to compare two different periods: in Horvátkimle, the present form of the church is dated, while in Magyarkimle, its history points to an earlier church on the same site.

There is also a tangible connection to local history beyond the churches: Kimle’s faluház houses a statue of Béla IV.

More to explore in the wider Győr-Moson-Sopron destination

The wider Győr-Moson-Sopron destination offers additional, distinct cultural and landscape highlights. The Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma was founded in 996. The World Heritage property of the Archabbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment includes the monastic complex, basilica and educational buildings, as well as the Chapel of Our Lady, the Millennium Chapel, and botanical and herb gardens. These features combine religious, educational and horticultural elements within this World Heritage property.

Another highlight in the wider Győr-Moson-Sopron destination is the Fertő/Neusiedler See cultural landscape. It includes Eurasia’s westernmost steppe lake, as well as wetlands, saline soils, reed beds and lakeshores. Lake Neusiedl forms the core of Fertő-Hanság National Park; the Hungarian part of the lake has been protected since 1977. The Fertő-táj cultural landscape was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status on 13 December 2001. Alongside its monastic heritage, the wider destination therefore also features a distinct, protected lake and wetland landscape.

Scheduled buses run daily from the bus station in Győr to the main entrance of Pannonhalma Archabbey. Check the timetable before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Levél, Dunakiliti-Tejfalusziget, Hegyeshalom, Várbalog, Dunasziget, Hédervár, Halászi, Lébény.

Back to the destination overview: Mosonmagyaróvár.