Hosszúhetény Summary
Hosszúhetény
Summary
Summary
Due to the beneficial effect exerted by the Zengő and Hármas hills, the climate on the Southern side of the Eastern-Mecsek has became so favourable that it encourages people to settle permanently here. When the Romans occupied this area, as the first step in their establishment, they constructed excellent military and commercial roads. One of them led from Aquincum (Óbuda) to Sopianae (Pécs). Another important road joined this one from the direction of Lugio (Dunaszekcső). The centre of a significant large estate was built next to this important junction. The owner built a huge villa, and probably lived here, as well. After the withdrawal of the Romans, different ethnic groups of the age of the Great Migration used the demolishing building as their winter shelter. The last were the Avars and the Hungarians.
When King Saint Stephen founded the Benedictine Abbey in Pécsvárad (1015), he also donated several villages to it, with Hosszúhetény among them. At that time, iron was mined around the settlement. This is also confirmed by several signatures by iron-miners and blacksmiths among the different trades in the deed of foundation. The development of Hosszúhetény was also largely facilitated by the fact that in addition to the traditional Pécsvárad-Pécs route, there was another not less significant road crossing the village and joining the other road from the direction of Bonyhád and Szászvár. Due to the favourable effect of all this, Hetény started a significant development. Tradition has it – although there is no evidence – that there might have been fairs organised here as early as in the Middle Ages.
The village hidden by big mountains and forests was but little damaged during the wars with the Turks, its population did not escape. They preserved their Roman Catholic faith to the very end although they did not even have a priest initially. When the Jesuits came to stay in Pécs, two fathers settled in Hosszúhetény, and bought a small estate for the order there. During their missionary activity, they served the believers in the whole area.
After the Turks were driven out, the bishop of Pécs took hold of one part of the estate of the Abbey, and kept it for good.
The favourable location of the village, the good quality soil, the excellent vineyards and the closeness of roads played a significant role in the development of Hosszúhetény. Industry also started on an upward trend, the Germans, who settled in a part of the village called Kisújbánya, established glass-works. A first-class quarry was also opened next to Hetény.
The village took an active role in the 1848-49 revolution and war for the Hungarian independence. It became a centre of the guerrillas attacking around Pécs, therefore, the occupant Austrian troops conducted punitive campaigns against the village on several occasions. Many people were dragged away, and the judge was kept in prison even after the surrender.
The landowner bishop and the local parson considered the local school as a cause close to their hearts. They erected a new school building, in which teaching was organised in one class initially. Later, the number of classes increased to two and then to three. After the First World War, teaching was going on in already five class-rooms. The school was nationalised in June 16, 1948. Since 1980, teaching has been going on in a new, modern building.
Hosszúhetény is famous for its colourful folk clothes. The customs and traditions of the local population are equally famous. Their collection of folk songs is of national importance. The local people gained a lot of fame with their movement titled “Gyöngyösbokréta” (pearly bouquet) in the 1930-ies. This was a national movement with an aim to preserve those genres of the folk tradition that could be staged. Their folk ensemble gained a national reputation after the war, just like Club “Pávakör” organised at the beginning of the 1970-ies. János Nemes, the prominent local teacher, and collector of folk traditions, was the initiator of these successful activities, and their resuscitator after the war.
Today, Hosszúhetény is doing a lot to boost rural tourism. Geographic conditions and the landscape are the greatest attraction, which also have a good impact on the economy. The Zengő and Hármas hills, Püspökszentlászló, the manor house with its Louis XVI style, the botanical garden, the beauty-spot, the excellent wine, and above all, the friendly hosts with all their rich traditions may form a future for the village.
