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Our story

Mezőszilas lies in the middle of Mezőföld, in the heart
of a triangular continent which is situated between Székesfehérvár,
Siófok and the confluence of Kapos and Sió.
(László Németh: My native country, Mezőszilas)

The village lies about 45 km towards the south from Székesfehérvár. Its neighbourhoods are: Lajoskomárom, Dég, Pusztaegres, Igar and Ozora. The village is constructed in the valley of Bozót stream which can be found in North – South direction. Mostly the houses are situated in the western side of this stream. The height above sea-level on average is about 143.5 m. We can say that its soil is calciferous. The countryside is poor in water, its climate is neither riche in precipitation. Its temperature is fluctuated between wide bounds.

The village takes part of the district Mezőföld in county Veszprém. In 1950, the village is annexed to the county Fejér. First, it takes part of the district Enying after in 1961, the district Sárbogárd. In Mezőszilas, we can found two churches: the catholic one takes part of the Székesfehérvár Diocese and the reformed one takes part of the Transdanubian Reformed Church.

Actually, the size of our village is 6947 ha and it has got 2366 inhabitants.

About the origin of the village name, we have got exact information. First, the name “Szilas” is in connection with an elm-tree forest because in Hungarian elm-tree means “szil”. Maybe this kind of tree had characterized the village. After, the word “mező” means a summer pasture in our language. Finally, we find tree versions on the origin of “Balhás”. According to the first variant, the name “Balhás” is a kind of reference to water-flea in Bozót. Another document (14th century) speaks about the Balhás-mountain in this area. The oral tradition mentions that the word “Balhás” is in relation with a folk which comes from the region of lake Balhás. The actual village is born after the connection of two different villages, they are: Szilas and Balhás. These villages live separately between the 14th and 18th century. In according to the contemporary document, Balhás is situated on the west side of Bozót stream. This village has got several different names, these are in order: 1346: Poss, Balphas; 1397: Balhach, Bolhach; 1697: Bolhas; 1773: Alsó-, Közép-, Felső - Bolhás; 1774: Három Bolhás. The other name-giving member has got several names too, which are: 1436 – 1536: Zylas; 1564: Mezezylas; 1570: Mezeozylas; 1588: Mező Szijlas; 1590: Mezewsylas; 1617: Mező Zylas; 1688: Sillas; 1701: Szylass. In 1718 these two members are mentioned together in documents, like: Szilas aliter Bolhas; 1828: Bolhas village and Szilas Praedium; 1851: Balhás Szilas; 1863: Szilas-Balhás; 1898: Szilasbalhás; 1942: Mezőszilas.

For a long time inhabitants has lived in the area. A prehistoric earthen-castle is discovered in Alsóbogárd puszta. During centuries (5th- 50th) before Jesus Christ’s birthday a Celtic folk (Eraviscus) lives in this region. Some Celtic tombs can be found next to the Józan Mountain. After the Celtics, we have to mention the Romans who live here between 5th before J–C until 4th century after J–C. during this time, there is a Roman sentry post called Fortiana. Next to this post, the archaeologists find two castles too from Roman age. After the fall of Roman Empire, the Huns possess the region. After them, there are several gothic foreign tours here. Between the residences of the village, we can find tomb from the age of Hungarian Conquest, it means from the 11th century. From the 14th century, we find written documents which relates to the history of our village. In 1346 István Laczkfi (vaivode in Transylvania) receives the village Balphas too like a pawn. In 1397 our Zsigmond king gives this area (Bolhach) to the Kanizsai family. From 1536 Zylas is possessed by Boldizsár Szilasi. From 1540, the village life is determined by the Turkish occupation. Szilas and Balhás take part of the submitted area where Simontornya is the centre and the Turkish leader is Hudáverdi between 1565 and 1579. The inhabitants have to pay a wild range of taxes. In 1570 the construction of the castle Székesfehérvár is started; some inhabitants and cars are ordered to help in it. In the and of 16th century, because of the 15 years War the village is depopulated. In 1636 györgy Szili, István Kenessey and his sons receive Bolhás like a royal don. In 1697 Lipót king offers Bolhás to the families Losonczi and Kenessy. Its renovation and reconstruction starts in 1713. in 1740 the village is settled again and it is divided into three parts –this could be the origin the name used in 1773- which are Alsó- , Közép-, Felső – Balhás. Between the three Balhás there is just a small passage. In 1828 these parts have got one name again that is Bolhás. In 1775 Szilas puszta is possessed by Kristóf Nicky. According to a written document from 1780, the routes are whole and practicable.

In 1784, there is national census and in the two villages (Szilas and Balhás) there are 236 houses, 386 families and 1739 inhabitants. Mostly, the people are protestant and in 1640 Balhás has got a pastor: János Herczegszőllősi. In 1745 the village has got a teacher too: János Győri.

We have to speak about three big constructions in Balhás; between 1749 and 1797: a stone church; 1799: a new school; 1812: the first village hall. In the villager life two things are the most important, these are: live-stock-farming (mostly the sheep) and plantation. During a survey from 1828, 9.3 % of the inhabitants are occupied in the industry and commerce. The number of Jewish villagers is 206 and the first synagogue is constructed in 1817. In Balhás there are 18 weavers, 6 boot-makers, 3 tailors, 2 joiners, 1 furrier, 3 German shoemakers and 4 smiths. Of course the transportation means an extra source of income to the habitants. In 1829, for second time in Hungary, the local casino is constructed. It has got basic rules and a large library too. Its members are the local nobles and the noble men from the region. In 1830, the Kirisics hostelry is found; in its shed a theatrical company appears too in 1841. The head of this group is Károly Szepsi and one of the six actors is Sándor Petőfi. In 1831 there is a serious cholera epidemic and 140 persons die. For the memory of the victims, in 1838 a stone crucifix is constructed in the Kereszt garden. The actions of 1848 touch the village too. The cottars are displeased with their situation because the emancipation of serfs doesn’t concern them. To appease these people, the light cavalry (60 members) appears. In April, 9 person are imprisoned in the County Jail. For the maintenance of the peace, a national home guard with 108 members is established from possessors. The 6th October 1848, Görgey goes toward Ozora with his artillery and they pass the night in the village. After winner battle, partly, the captives are accompanied to Szilas. The members of national home guard are lodged and in the house the cholera appears.

In 1857 the size of Szilasbalhás is 17246 kha and the number of villagers is 2681 in 1850. Between these people there are 1713 protestant, 754 catholic and 214 Jewish. In 1859 a Jewish school is established and the number of his students is 45. The catholic school opens in 1867. In this year, a municipal road is constructed which joins Veszprém and Szekszárd.

In 1871, the village wins the “large village” title and the Representatives’ Body is established. In 1875, a pharmacy is opened in the village. In the year of millennium, the telegraph line between Budapest and Dombóvár is inaugurated where Szilas is an important station. In 1897, the construction of railway line is started between Simontornya and Szabadbattyán. This line could touch Szilas too but the heads of the village don’t support this idea. That’s why the line avoids it and nowadays this railway station can be found in Simontornya. In 1898 the leaderships wants to change the name of our village from Szilasbalhás to Szilasfalva. But this request is refused by the Municipal Local Board of Veszprém County. In 1899 the village receives the right of keeping fairs. In the end of the century several organisation had been established. Like: Catholic Choral Society, Civil Reading Society, Industrialist Club, Industrialist Funeral Society, Savings Bank. In this time the first steam-mill is constructed which is electrified in 1933. Our development starts in the beginning of the century; and the renovation of Széchy castle too which is Droppa castle subsequently. The construction is financed by Ernő Blaskovics. He is a landowner and the possessor of the unbeatable race-horse “Kincsem” (“My Treasure”) which is the winner 54 times. At the same time the renovation of Sárga (Kenessey – Strommel) castle starts too. In 1912, a telephone network is established with 12 subscribers and one year later starts the construction of Szilasbalhás Credit Bank. The First World War stops this idyllic period. The number of victims in the village is 163. Because of the civil revolution of 1918 the poor people start to unionize. They found in 1919 the local Worker and Agricultural Council. In the village there are several meaningful actions. After the fall of Council Government one member from the local leaders is executed and the other are imprisoned.

In 1921 Szilas is the 4th biggest large village in the county Veszprém with 4568 inhabitants.

In 1925 the war memorial is inaugurated. The boring of artesian well starts in 1927 and it is inaugurated in 1932. The plan of electric lighting which is supported by the local leadership is is realized in 1932. In this year during the Saint Mihály (Michel) day 15 public lights are lit and about in 200 houses the lamps are lighted. In the village, the number of catholic habitants is increasing. In 1935 the construction of Catholic Church starts as a result of local donation and national collection, it finishes in 1937. In 1935, the MAVART starts a regular bus service. But between 1925 and 1928 there is a private bus line too. In 1937 the Catholic school is constructed and in 1942 the protestant one. But this is the time of establishing of a nursery school. The leadership asks once again the name changing of our village. In the request there are these possibilities: Mezőszilas, Nemesszilas, Nagyszilas, Szilasfalu. The decision is passed in 1942 and the village receives the name Mezőszilas which is used in the Middle Age too. During the Second World War there are fights between the 5th December 1944 and the 20th March 1945. During this period (about 3 months) the habitants don’t leave their habitats. For a little time a Soviet Army leaders the area. In 1945 the National Committee and the Land Redistributing Committee are founded.

In the end of 1945 the number of inhabitants in the village is 4300 the number of houses is 640 with the local puszta. The size of our large village is 16.976 kha. During the land reform 600 families receive a part of land. In 1950 the village is jointed to the county Fejér. During this time the pusztas are detached from Szilas and this period holds till 1979. In this way its size and population are decreased. In 1980 the number of its habitants is 2362. The first Agricultural Co-operative Farms are established between 1950 and 1954. Between 1949 and 1960 a State Farm works and in 1950 a Machine Centre functions here. In 1962 the Co-operative Farms are joined and this is the beginning of Mezőföld MgTSz on 5.950 kha. It has got a national reputation because of its economy and results. Between 1960 and 1970 a bakery, a saving bank, a manufacture market, a gas cartridge plant, a petrol station, a butcher’s, a fire-service, a dairy and a confectioner’s work in the village. Between 1965 and 1975 water pipes line is constructed. In 1962 an Old People’s Home is established in the renovated Kenessey castle. The year of 1969 is the construction of a new primary school. In 1974 the local library called László Németh is inaugurated. In 1984 in the same house a memorial room for him opens. The local authority works from 1990. There are some big constructions in the village like the gas system (1992), telegraph line system (1996-1997). The paediatrician works here from 1997 and this year is the beginning of the construction of sewerage system and a sewage farm too.

- István Varga-

Mezőszilas

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Mezőszilas Község Önkormányzata

7017 Mezőszilas, Fő u.111.

Fax.: +3625 680-012

E-mail: hivatal@mezoszilas.hu

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