Contemplate the seemingly endless grassland before you. This is the T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk a protected natural area. It is an integral part of Budapest’s green belt.
T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk lies in the southern foreground of the Buda Mountains. This location makes it an ecologically valuable area. The T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk boasts a rich plant life. There are about 400 plant species here. Forty-five of these are protected. Eighty protected animal species also call it home.
The T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk stretches across 300 hectares. It is also known as the \u00c9rd-T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi Plateau. This area is part of the Natura 2000 network. It has significant environmental importance for the European Community.
Centuries ago the landscape looked different. It was likely a mosaic of oak trees shrubs and rocky grasslands. The area was cleared for grazing. Moderate grazing helped steppe species survive. It stopped shrubs from overgrowing.
In the 20th century the T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk served military purposes for decades. Later it became an illegal waste dump in the 1990s. Fortunately the XXII district was cleaned. It was declared protected in 1999. Sadly illegal dumping persists in other parts.
The T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk is bordered by various regions. The Buda\u00f6rs Basin lies to the north. The Danube valley is to the east and south. The F\u00fczes stream valley separates it from the Zs\u00e1mb\u00e9k Basin to the west. The Fundoklia Valley divides it from the \u00c9rd-S\u00f3sk\u00fati Plateau to the southwest.
The T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk rises sharply from the Buda\u00f6rs Basin. Its surface is marked by trenches and shallow depressions. It slopes gently towards the Danube.
The largest valley is the \u00c9gett Valley between T\u00f6r\u00f6kb\u00e1lint and Di\u00f3sd. It cuts across the plateau. This valley is 150 to 200 meters long and 30 to 40 meters deep.
The T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk is a unique place. Many plants and animals here are rare in Europe. It is a valuable natural area. It is also a meeting point of different landscapes. Protected species from the Great Plain and the Central Mountains can be found here.
The primary goal of protection is to preserve the area’s steppe habitats. It aims to protect its diverse wildlife. Protected species include the Pannonian dry fescue. Other protected species are the musk onion and the bristly thistle. The silver thistle and the lovely feather grass are protected here too. The woodland anemone and the common bladdernut are also of importance. The red-backed shrike and the common linnet also enjoy protection here.
Efforts are underway to restore native vegetation. The removal of non-native trees and shrubs is crucial. These include the ailanthus narrow-leaved oleaster black pine and white acacia. These invasive species threaten the native plants.
The T\u00e9t\u00e9nyi-fenns\u00edk offers a glimpse into Hungary’s diverse natural heritage. Its protection ensures that future generations can appreciate its unique beauty.