Pula combines a close-up view of volcanic rock with historical traces in the village. A maar volcano was active on the western edge of Pula, distributing a large quantity of volcanic material across the surrounding area. Beside the cemetery is a rock outcrop with exposed layers and rock inclusions.

Volcanic rock on the western edge of the village

The rock face exposes sloping layers over a length of 25 metres, with basalt bombs and other foreign-rock inclusions. It belongs to a heavily eroded formation that was preserved on the eastern side of the old volcano’s tuff ring. Plants and rock debris have been removed. This outcrop therefore offers a view of both the layers’ course and individual inclusions. The maar volcano provides the geological context; the rock face shows specific features of the formation.

Kráter Kőpark: comparing rocks

Kráter Kőpark, on the edge of Pula, offers a different perspective. The freely accessible park displays large, block-shaped examples of volcanic and other rocks. It also features limestone blocks from sedimentary rocks characteristic of the surrounding area. While the rock face by the cemetery exposes layers and inclusions within a formation, in the park you can study different blocks of rock side by side. The park route is marked; information about the stops can be accessed using a smartphone and an internet connection. Check current conditions before visiting and plan how you will access the information.

Monastery, chapel and basalt bridge

Buildings and memorial sites also add their own historical touches. Táladi Monastery was founded by Pauline monks. The Szent Flórián Chapel was built in 1773 by Krammer, also known as Kreimer György, and renovated in 1802. The two dates mark its construction and subsequent renovation. At the western end of the village, a protected basalt bridge spans the Vázsonyi-séd. In Pula, basalt is encountered not only as rock at the geological outcrops and in Kőpark, but also as a building material. The Náczi-hegyi emlékoszlop was inaugurated in 1987 on the 175th anniversary of the vineyard’s establishment. Its date adds a specific connection to the history of the vineyards to the architectural landmarks.

Apples as a historical trace

Pula’s culinary history also has a clearly dated connection: between the world wars, the village was known for producing particularly fine, aromatic apples. This historical reputation adds another facet of the local history of that period to the references to the monastery, chapel and vineyard.

Context within the wider destination of North Lake Balaton

For a broader thematic perspective within the wider destination of North Lake Balaton, you can explore other geological highlights without conflating them with Pula. In Tapolca, Tapolcai-tavasbarlang is part of a cave system beneath the town that has so far been explored to a length of 14.6 kilometres. Boat trips are offered in the cave, and there is also the guided exhibition Csodálatos karszt (“Wonderful Karst”). Hegyestű offers a different geological viewpoint: the 337-metre-high mountain lies between Zánka and Monoszló. Its quarry face exposes the interior of a basalt volcano that was active around eight million years ago. Pula’s maar volcano, exposed layers and rock blocks thus sit thematically alongside caves and an exposed volcanic interior at other places within the wider destination of North Lake Balaton.

Discover more destinations: Nemesvámos, Veszprém, Barnag, Veszprémfajsz, Bánd, Tótvázsony, Szentgál, Herend

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Veszprémi.