Paper short abstract:

The paper attempts to trace the transformation of vineyard landscapes nearby the so called Hungarian Sea, Lake Balaton. In recent decades their role changed dramatically, because they were transformed to recreational areas or they became „shelters” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paper long abstract:

The paper attempts to trace the transformation of vineyard landscapes nearby the so called Hungarian Sea, Lake Balaton. In the first half of the 20th century tourism only concerned the waterfront areas and had little effect on the vineyard hills that were regarded as economically more valuable. From the 1960’s the hillsides that had been planted with vines were intensely transformed to recreational areas. The views over the lake attracted many urban families to buy vineyard plots and wine cellars or build summer cottages. The second home owners no longer look on the landscape as a place for agricultural production but as a place where they could hide from mass tourism. The proportion of urban newcomers gradually rose to such a high level that they now represent the majority and only a very small percentage of local people possess wine cellars. Agricultural production was of little significance to them as they had no experience of vine-growing or could not find locals to cultivate the vine-stocks. Due to the impact of the pandemic new property owners are already using the vineyards as permanent residences. The purpose of the presentation is to analyze this special coexistence of people who often have totally different views and ideas about the use of the landscape.