Csorna Abbey was founded in 1180 by a member of the noble Osl family, primarily for religious reasons. The abbey, the permanent exhibitions of the Csornai Múzeum and the bowling alley offer different ways to enjoy a stay in Csorna, from history and regional culture to a leisure activity.
Csorna Abbey and the Town’s History
The founding of the abbey provides a clear historical reference point. For tourist groups, the abbey offers guided tours led by priests, by prior arrangement. Contact the abbey to coordinate the current tour arrangements; making an appointment is part of planning your visit.
The permanent exhibitions at the Csornai Múzeum also introduce visitors to the history and culture of the area. One exhibition focuses on the history of the Csorna area. The other showcases centuries of urban and folk culture in the Rábaköz, including markets and crafts. Local history and a broader regional perspective are thus presented side by side.
The exhibition “A Történelem Peremén – A Rábaköz Szívében” opened in 2019. “Csornai vásárok és mesterségek” opened in 1990 and was renewed in 2000. The different dates give each title its own time reference, while both are part of the museum’s permanent exhibitions.
Another Leisure Option
The Csorna bowling alley adds a leisure option to the cultural attractions. If you are weighing up the different aspects of a stay, you can choose between sightseeing and exhibitions or an activity that involves reserving a lane. Booking is done through a reservation system. Check the current reservation details with the operator before making plans based on them.
More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Győr-Moson-Sopron
The wider destination of Győr-Moson-Sopron also features important historic sites. The Benedictine Monastery in Pannonhalma was founded in 996. The World Heritage property of the Archabbey and its natural surroundings includes the monastic complex, the basilica, educational buildings, the Chapel of Our Lady, the Millennium Chapel, as well as botanical and herb gardens. In Fertőd, Esterházy Palace is an outstanding example of Hungarian Baroque and Rococo palace architecture.
Another highlight is the Fertő/Neusiedler See cultural landscape. It encompasses Eurasia’s westernmost steppe lake, as well as wetlands, saline soils, reed beds and shoreline areas. 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 granted UNESCO World Heritage status on 13 December 2001.
An electric boat trip on the lake passes through reed channels and bays on its western side. Among other things, you can spot reed warblers, great egrets, purple herons and various ducks. Check the current conditions when planning and booking your tour.
The landscape around Pannonhalma has its own distinctive character: the Pannonhalmi Tájvédelmi Körzet landscape protection area covers 8,272 hectares and has two main areas, the Pannonhalma Hills and the calcareous sandy steppes of Kisalföld. The hills consist of three roughly parallel ridges: Szemere, Csanak and Pannonhalma. The wider destination also includes the Várhely lookout point, with views to the northeast of Sopron, Sopron-Bánfalva, Bécsi-domb, Lake Neusiedl and the Mosoni Plain.
Scheduled buses run daily from Győr bus station to the main entrance of Pannonhalma Archabbey. If you plan to use this connection, check the current timetable in advance.
Explore more destinations: Bogyoszló, Farád, Jobaháza, Kóny, Egyed, Szany, Tárnokréti.
Back to the overview of the wider destination: Csornai.
