Kismaros

Kismaros (Kleinmarosch, Kleinneustadt) is a village in Pest County, Central Hungary Region, Hungary. From 1976 to 1990 the village of was merged with the village of Verőce, to create a new merged settlement called Verőcemaros. This settlement was disestablished in 1990, when the two villages were again separated and Kismaros again became a separate settlement.

Location
Kismaros is located 45 kilometres north of Budapest on the eastern bank of the Danube river, just above the bend where the river changes course and flows south. The village is seated at the foot of the Börzsöny Hills on the outskirts of the Carpathians.

First settlers
The village's history dates back to the 18th century when Germans from the Black Forest came to settle down in the area. The name of the village first appears on the “Vályi” map from 1781. The word Maros derives from the Latin "Mures" word and means waterfront, village or fortress. By the end of 18th century the population of Kismaros reached about 200-250 persons. With the effort of all villagers the catholic church was finished in 1827. Agriculture specifically the cultivation of grapes and other fruits provided living for most residents. At the beginning of the 20th century the most spoken language is still German.

"Malenkiy Robot"
After the Second World War the Soviets took control in Hungary. Although prior to the War most residents of Kismaros claimed Hungarian ethnicity already, their German origin meant that eighty of Kismaros’ youths (aged between 16-19) were forcibly taken by the Red Army to the Soviet Union, where they used them as labourers in mines and factories. About half of them never returned. Survivors remember it, just as the Soviets put it, "Malenkiy robot" or little labour.

Demographics
According to the 2001 national census, Germans account for 6% of the population; over 90% are Hungarians. Kismaros has a Roman Catholic majority about 3/4 of all residents. The population reached just over two thousand in 2009 and has been growing constantly in the last decade.

Börzsöny Hills' Children's Railway
Kismaros is the south terminus for one of Hungary’s oldest light railways. The railway station is in the centre of the village and has regular service throughout the year. The Börzsöny Hills' Children's Railway is a narrow gauge railway and is very popular between tourists. Every year thousands of people come to Kismaros to take a ride up to the Börzsöny Hills.

Marus Napok
Each year end of September the locals hold the Festival “Marus Napok” to celebrate their rich German heritage. The festival's main attraction is when the people march through the village with horse-drown carriages, singing and dancing dressed in traditional clothes. Originally this was to celebrate a good vintage. There is also opportunity to taste the local cuisine and to listen to Swabian music.

Kismaros Village Museum
The museum is place for a permanent historic exhibition to give visitors some insights into the villagers everyday life. This includes typical old agricultural tools, old photos, religious relics. The exhibition covers the village life of those ethnic German settlers who arrived in the 18th century to people in present-day Kismaros.

Transport Links
From the capital Budapest, Kismaros can be reached by car or public transport

By public transport
There are trains running from Budapest West railway station daytime in every 30 minutes to 1 hour. The journey time is approx. 45 minutes.

International Relations
Kismaros is twinned with:
 * 🇩🇪 - Wallhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
 * 🇷🇴 - Zetea, Hargita, Romania

Famous Residents

 * Erzsébet Viski Hungarian sprint canoer, olympic silver medalist in the K-4 500 m event (2000, 2004).