Crowned by a thatched roof, summer vacation homes in the Balaton region of western Hungary often recapture the traditional feel of vernacular architecture.
Photo by Ágnes Fülemile, Balassi Institute/Hungarian Cultural Center
In rural Hungary, thatching was the prevalent method for constructing roofs for homes and farm buildings. Specialized thatchers, whose expertise is crucial, work in pairs. They fasten together bundles of reeds and push a needle laced with wire from inside the building to the outside. Thatched roofs are easy to repair, and resistant to wind and rain. They are ideal for keeping buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
