I continued my journey along the River Waag and arrived at Neve Mnejle. The next day, we traveled further to another city, which I will call Vimm. Vimm is located on a plain and can be seen from a great distance. The city had almost recovered from being destroyed during the previous wars about six years earlier Tour Guide Turkey.
The following day, we reached the Danube River again and stayed overnight in Pressburg, which I have described elsewhere. From there, we traveled across the Danube using two ferry boats. Our route took us past Homburg Tower, Hatnberg Hill, the towns of Hahnberg, Regelsbrun, Vischet, and Swechet, before finally arriving in Vienna.
The Effects of War
Many areas of Upper Hungary looked very different from the past or from neighboring Austria. In some places, the land had been burned or plundered by the Tartars and Turks during the recent wars. Locals had to pay tribute to these invaders, so many people lived quietly and avoided attracting attention. Houses in these regions were often bare and poorly furnished. It was common for a family to have only one bed for the husband and wife.
Even in better-provided regions under the Emperor, the population faced hardships. Many were of the Reformed Religion, and strict measures made life difficult. People lived with constant fear, and their morale was low. This could have serious consequences if the Turks attacked again, as the locals might not fight as bravely as they had in the past The Salt Mine Near Pperies.
Religious Changes and Tensions
Religious changes were widespread. There were many Calvinists and Lutherans in the region, especially in the mining towns. However, now most officials belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. In Schemnitz, a large church that belonged to the Lutherans had recently been taken from them. Around Boinitz, Count Talfi forced many Lutheran tenants to convert to Catholicism or to give up their houses and lands.
Other religious groups were also present. The Anabaptists were known for their skill in working with mother-of-pearl. The Unitarians lived in the more distant parts of Upper Hungary and were known to speak Latin fluently.
Local Discontent
Many Hungarian Catholics were unhappy about the increasing presence of Germans in their region. They felt that the court at Vienna did not respect their services, abilities, or traditional privileges. This growing dissatisfaction was clear, and it could cause serious problems in the future if not addressed.
Observations on the Region
Traveling through Upper Hungary, it was clear that the people’s lives were deeply affected by war, religion, and political changes. Many lived in fear or poverty, and there was tension between different religious and ethnic groups. Despite this, towns like Vimm and Pressburg were recovering, and the region still had a striking natural beauty with rivers, hills, and plains stretching as far as the eye could see.
The journey provided not only an understanding of the geography but also a glimpse into the struggles, faith, and resilience of the people of Upper Hungary.
