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Tagore Promenade, Balatonfüred

The promenade on the shore of Balaton was named after the Nobel laureate, Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore who, after being cured at the State Hospital for Cardiology, planted the first tree of the promenade. According to a Hindu legend, if a man of old age plants a tree, he will live to see the tree. Rabindranath Tagore died 11 years later at the age of 80. Since the tree grew really tall similarly to the other trees of the promenade planted by well known people following in the footsteps of the poets.

Besides his memorial tree at the beginning of the promenade, there is a bronze statue of Tagore from 1956 and also a plaque with a poem of his written on the occasion of the planting. The promenade was named after Tagore in 1957, replacing its original name, Ferenc Deák Promenade.

The promenade has other statues and busts besides the trees planted by politicians, poets and Nobel laureates.

Tagore Promenade
Tagore Promenade Photo: funiQ
  • Tagore Promenade
    Tagore Promenade Photo: funiQ
  • park in Füred
    Park in Füred Photo: funiQ
  • trees of Füred
    Trees of Füred Photo: funiQ
  • port
    Port Photo: funiQ
  • sightseeing mini train
    Sightseeing mini train Photo: funiQ

 The statue at the port of Balatonfüred called 'The Fisherman and the Ferryman' was made by János Pásztor in 1937. According to local belief, if we touch the boots of the figures, we will surely return to the city again. Who knows if the legend is true but the boots have become real shiny for sure.

Every August, the tents of the Wine Weeks are set up, where guests are entertained by acrobats, living statues, musicians. There are also many events here during the Kék Szalag (Blue Ribbon) Round the Lake Balaton Race, and almost all of the larger events take place in the heart of Balatonfüred, the Tagore Promenade.

wedding photography at the Tagore Promenade
Wedding photography at the Tagore Promenade Photo: funiQ

On the eastern end of the nearly 1 km long promenade is the Esterházy strand. The wide, bicycle friendly promenade starts from there to the west. 

cycleway on the Tagore Promenade

To the right, there is a new sight of Balatonfüred, the Bodorka Balaton Aquarium opened in 2014. A little further north is the magnificent building of the State Hospital for Cardiology with the Drinking Hall of the Kossuth Spring in front. Opposite the hospital is the Horváth House built at the end of the 18th century - but back to the promenade.

Horváth House  - location of the first Anna-ball in 1825
Horváth House - location of the first Anna-ball in 1825 Photo: funiQ

Along the promenade there are many statues and memorials worth to see, here are some of them:

statue of Quasimodo
Statue of Quasimodo Photo: funiQ
  • statue of Sándor Pethő, founder of the newspaper Hungarian Nation. Pethő died in Balatonfüred in 1940 and his memorial was erected in 2015.
    Statue of Sándor Pethő, founder of the newspaper Hungarian Nation. Pethő died in Balatonfüred in 1940 and his memorial was erected in 2015. Photo: funiQ
  • statue of Sándor Pethő, founder of the newspaper Hungarian Nation. Pethő died in Balatonfüred in 1940 and his memorial was erected in 2015.
    Statue of Sándor Pethő, founder of the newspaper Hungarian Nation. Pethő died in Balatonfüred in 1940 and his memorial was erected in 2015. Photo: funiQ
  • statue of István Bujtor. The actor, deceased in 2009, had many ties with Balatonfüred
    Statue of István Bujtor. The actor, deceased in 2009, had many ties with Balatonfüred Photo: funiQ
  • statue of István Bujtor. The actor, deceased in 2009, had many ties with Balatonfüred
    Statue of István Bujtor. The actor, deceased in 2009, had many ties with Balatonfüred Photo: funiQ
  • smiley well
    Smiley well Photo: funiQ
  • Deák Ferenc Memorial
    Deák Ferenc Memorial Photo: funiQ
  • statue of István Széchenyi
    Statue of István Széchenyi Photo: funiQ
  • statue commemorating the victims and helpers of the boat "Pajtás" that capsized on 30 May 1954
    Statue commemorating the victims and helpers of the boat "Pajtás" that capsized on 30 May 1954 Photo: funiQ

There is a pleasent harmony between old and new in Balatonfüred, which is show for example at the western end of the promenade: one of the most elegant buildings of the city, the first building of the sailing club houses a modern, interactive exhibition on the history of sailing.