Villánykövesd combines a three-tiered wine cellar village with kerepelés, an Easter tradition observed since time immemorial. Its architectural history and traditions offer two different perspectives on the town: the wine cellar village developed over a long period, while the tradition is observed on specific days during the Easter season.
The Three-Tiered Wine Cellar Row
The wine cellar row consists of press houses, none of which is exactly like another. Differences include the painted façades and the colours and patterns of the cellar doors. Their shared three-tiered form connects the buildings, while their individual details give each press house a distinct appearance. To appreciate the townscape, look both at the layout of the cellar row and at the varied designs of its individual houses.
Construction of the wine cellar village began in the second half of the 18th century, but it did not reach its final form until the mid-20th century. Its construction and final development thus belong to different centuries. This long development is part of the wine cellar village’s own history and helps explain why its present form cannot be attributed to a single point in time.
The Church and the Easter Tradition
The Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary offers another point of reference for art history. It is late Baroque, while its Neoclassical high altar dates from the 19th century. The two style descriptions refer to different elements: the late Baroque church and the Neoclassical altar. When looking at the sacred building, it is worth considering these classifications separately.
During kerepelés, young people in Villánykövesd replace the sound of church bells with wooden clappers. The tradition is observed from Maundy Thursday until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. This specifies who takes part, the purpose of the practice and when it takes place. Unlike the wine cellar village’s long history of construction, kerepelés is a tradition confined to a clearly defined period in the Easter calendar.
Views of the Nature Reserve
The wine cellar village offers views of nearby Fekete-hegy, a nature reserve. This adds a landscape perspective to the built structures of the press houses. The cellar row and its individually designed façades shape the townscape, while the view also draws the eye to the neighbouring reserve.
More to Discover in the Wider Destination of Baranya
The wider destination of Baranya offers another archaeological highlight in Pécs. The Early Christian Necropolis of Sopianae includes decorated tombs from the 4th century. They were built as underground burial chambers with above-ground memorial chapels and adorned with richly detailed Christian wall paintings. The underground burial chambers and the memorial chapels above them give the site its distinctive architectural layout.
Another highlight in the wider destination of Baranya is Villány. There, visitors can go from cellar to cellar throughout the year to sample wines and tasty dishes. This offers a different focus from Villánykövesd, where the main attractions are the tiered press houses, their individual details and kerepelés.
These themes can help you plan your trip: Villánykövesd is known for its wine cellar architecture, church and Easter tradition observed during a specific period. The cellar-to-cellar tastings take place along the wine cellar row in Villány, in the wider destination of Baranya; the Necropolis of Sopianae offers an archaeological perspective there.
Discover more destinations: Magyarbóly, Matty, Rádfalva, Villány, Siklós, Harkány, Kisjakabfalva, Palkonya
Back to the wider travel overview: Siklósi.
