Panonias Courses

Pannonia is a historical region of central Europe, covering much of modern-day Hungary, parts of Austria and Serbia, with bordering, parts of Croatia and Slovenia. The exact date of its origin is unknown, but Pannonia first appeared on historical documents during the 2nd century, when it was inhabited by several different ethnic groups, including Celts, Romans, and Germanic tribes. Its largest city was Carnuntum, a former capital of the Roman province of Lower Pannonia. From the 9th century to the early 11th century, Pannonia experienced its height as a principality of the Hungarian Kingdom, known as Pannonhalma. During this period, the Hungarian expansion into central Europe was accompanied by extensive settlement in the regions of Burgenland, Styria, and Transdanubia. This period also saw the construction of several important monasteries, such as Pannonhalma Archabbey, for which the region become well-known. The Hungarian Kingdom eventually fell to the Habsburgs in the early 16th century, and Pannonia was annexed to the Habsburg empire in 1541. In the 18th century, the region saw numerous wars and invasions by the Ottoman Turks and Habsburgs, as well as fierce uprisings of local Hungarians under princes and lords such as Albert of Württemberg and John of Ráckeve. After centuries of political movement, parts of Pannonia were established as autonomous regions of modern-day Hungary in 1920. The region receives its population from various traditions and ethnic backgrounds, with many Austrians, Germans, Hungarians, Serbs, and Croats making up its population. In recent years, Pannonia has become an important tourist destination, due to its well-preserved monuments, its historical cities, as well as its rich gastronomic culture.