The spirit of the 1848/49 revolution and quest for freedom has lingered on and motivated the local population for a long time. The national guard has also had a local representation but no serious confrontations ever ensued in the area.

Nevertheless, every household and every family carefully kept their Kossuth-bills, his portraits as well as various pictures about scenes of the freedom fights and held the memory of the 13 Martyrs of Arad lovingly in their hearts.

It has later been reveled through the reformed church’s registers that a “Committee for organizing the March Celebration” has been very active during those times, so active in fact that it inspired the creation of another group, the “Kossuth Committee of Kenese”. The group was already established by the year “The Hermit of Turin” died in 1894 and focused its main activity and efforts on keeping the spirit of the revolution alive. Every year in March, they organized a solemn festivity in remembrance of the revolution and the brave heroes who gave their lives for the cause.

During the year of the millennia in 1896, there was a regular competition among the members of the cause to raise a statue of Kossuth in as many places as possible. Our city was among the first ones to start collecting the necessary funds for the future statue and the tireless efforts of the Committee eventually led to the inauguration ceremony of one of the oldest Kossuth statues in the country. Although initially the inauguration was planned for the 50-year anniversary of the revolution, they had to postpone it for another year.

The work of the Committee also comprised a solemn program for the March 15 celebrations. All of their aims and aspirations could not have been achieved if their organization had not been anything but perfect: a total of three chairmen were elected and their sessions were always attended by every member. The pastor of the reformed church had traditionally always held the position of secretary.

The work and activity of the Committee only stopped after a 50-year span of immeasurable value to the community and country, at the end of the Second World War.

Heroes Garden

The grief-stricken survivors of the First World War did not just merely raise a memorial in honor of their fallen heroes, but placed it in the middle of a small and serene garden surrounded by wrought iron fences as if to keep the bustle of the streets away and thus ensuring the peace of their final resting place. The pedestal of the stone statue, the artwork of Béla Farkas, contains the names of the local war-heroes who gave their lives for the country in the battles from 1914-1918, carved with shining, golden letters.

Two man-sized soldiers, one of which is carrying his wounded brother in arms, stand at the top of the 2,5 m high pedestal. The painful expression of the wounded soldier is a true testament to the talents of the artist. While his cap has already been lost, he is still holding on to his sword.

The surrounding area – the Catholic church building rising in the back as well as the ornamental trees around it – further increase the solemnity: this is no place for stress and hurry but one of remembrance and respect.

The memorial was raised exclusively from private donations and innaugurated on August 14 1927.

The consequent Second World War did not only leave the community shattered but seriously damaged the statue as well. The right side of the pedestal has been destroyed during bombing and some names have completely been erased while others are barely visible.

The 65 names engraved in the pedestal can, for the most part, be traced back to the oldest families in Kenese. From the total population of about 1800, 8 percent has been lost during the war.

A memorial plate in honor of the fallen members of the reformed denomination is placed on the walls of the Reformed church building.

The Nepomuki statue

A statue of the patron saint of bridges and waters, Nepomuki St. John, stands on the grounds between the Reformed parish house and the library, right at the riverbank and next to the bridge.

The original statue made of sandstone is the oldest one in Kenese and in order to protect the valuable relic, has been moved to the library building. The outside statue is but a copy of the original one but not less deserving of respect.

The 1848 memorial

The cemetery of the Reformed church houses the carved wood column raised in memory of the revolution and freedom fighters of 1848-49, an artwork of sculptor József Nyulasi.

The 1956 memorial

There are two memorials raised in honor of the 1956 revolution: one of them is placed in the Bakó Park at Kenese and the other one at the Rákóczi Park in Akarattya.

Kisfaludy Monument

This pretty creation on the Balaton side of Széchenyi park reminds the glorious moment when István Széchenyi “the greatest Hungarian” first docked with the steam boat Kisfaludy in 1846. This was the beginning of Balaton ship transport.

Industrialist statue

Under the shade of the trees in front of the Regional Museum-House on Kossuth Street is the House of Artisans, which is still the meeting place for local craftsmen, as well as the home for practice sessions by the local folk singing group, the Szivárvány (Rainbow). The statue standing in front of the building is a bust by Gizella Péterfi of the Master Carpenter István Bognár.

Fountain

This petal shaped fountain (created by ceramist Éva Ambrus) can be found on the old market square behind the Town Hall and Kenese Catholic church. The quiet and sublime nature of the place is just as good for relaxing on a bench as honorary ceremonies or show events.

The Gate of the Third Millennium

Creation of the local painter and the sculptor Gizella Péterfy. The gate of the third millennium is expressed by the symbolism of two touched hands. It was installed in honor of the millennium anniversary.

Babies’ Garden

Since 2009 a rose tree is planted after every new born baby in Kenese and Akarattya towns.replika órák This ceremonial and memorable event is on Children’s Day in every May. Next to the trees we can read the new babies’ names on little plaques.

The exact places:

Balatonkenese, Dózsa György tér (square), in front of Tátorján Play Castle Balatonakarattya, Rákoczi Park, a bit westward from the elm.

György Kolonics canoeist

Right next to Rákoczi Park in Akarattya, a small memorial place can be found. Millennium Park was built in honor of the new millennium in 2000. Here stands a memorial stone as a tribute to the tragically died Olympic champion canoeist György Kolonics.

Statues of Ferenc Rákóczi and Albert Wass

Both statues are in Akarattya’s Rákóczi Park, created by artist/teacher János Huzsvári. It was the first Albert Wass statue in the region.

Margit-line

In Balatonakarattya, close to the roundabout a red sandstone pillar (created by Pál Molnár) keeps the memory for those heroes who lost their lives in the bloody battles of the World War II. People praise their memory in May, on the day when the war in Europe ended.

Stone cross

On the border of Kenese and Akarattya this memorial place is the symbol of the cities’ modern history. The wayside cross has enjoyed esteem since ancient times. Man doffed, woman crossed herself when they passed by. Maybe this respect is the reason why these crosses that were built hundreds of years ago have been never destroyed. They rarely moved them away or pulled them somewhere safe by horses. (Mrs. Sándor Farkas)

A way side cross was built by the charity of people of Akarattya and Kenese. It was consecrated by Archbishop Gyula Márfi at noon 8 May 2011. In the call concerning the cross building the organizers expressed their wishes: This cross functions as reinforcement in the nation’s belief and also of our fellow Hungarians out of our borders in unity and the support of each other.

János Pilinszky mansion

The former mansion of our Kossuth Award winning poet stands in Fürdő street Balatonakarattya. Plaque says that the poet spent several summers in this house and the nearby Balaton inspired him to write numerous poems about the area.