View from the castle...so green
Raven-stone the UNESCO Heritage Site
A couple weeks ago, I was invited on a field trip with one my first grade classes to Holloko (For more information, also click here). Located about 1 1/2 hours from Budapest, the village is a representation of what life was like. From my understanding, this village, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose name means ‘Raven-stone,” exists today because they decided to build a new village nearby rather than repave the roads.
After an early morning bus ride, we made it to the village and had a light snack. What do you do with 30 kids in a village? Arts and crafts, of course! So we started with the kids (and teachers) making candles, bracelets, or decorating pouches and bandanas. After the craftiness was finished, we meandered down the one street in town before it started to rain. We hid from the downpour under a roof, followed by inside an old church with a wooden steeple, and lastly, an old house with one main bedroom where nobody slept.
The roofs of the houses had beautiful designs cut in the front that were more than just for making the house look nice. To have a chimney meant you’d have to pay a chimney tax, so instead of doing so, villagers cut the holes to let out the smoke (see picture, below). Now that’s what I call a loop-hole!
Almos and David making a bracelet
Er...bandana making?
Eszter making a candle
Boti impressed by his work
Kids Storming the Castle...and they had fun!
Once we had replenished our stomachs with lunch, we made our way to an awesome castle! The castle, which is in better condition than most throughout the country, avoided being bombed early on because the bombers thought it was too small to worry about. Inside the castle are trap doors that were used to take the floor right out from under enemies (literally), and a water system, too. After enjoying the views of the surrounding area, we made our way back to Budapest.
What was most amazing on this trip is that this is the same class I went to Szentendre/Skanzen with earlier in the year, and I was blown away by the progression of their English. If only they would use those skills more in my class…
What a loop-hole! Also, it's pouring!
The Original Potato Masher!
Old Woman on the porch
Traditional Family Room - nobody sleeps here
Inside the Castle
Trap door for enemies to fall through
