| Velemszentvid is a fortified site located at the western border of Hungary, not far from Irottkõ (882 m), on the southern foothills of the Alps. St. Vid (Szentvid) hill (568 m) overlooks the small village of Velem. |
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The small chapel on top of the hill is sacred to the Christian martyr, St. Vitus. Medieval sources reveal that here was a patrocinium (a cemetery and a chapel together) from the Caroling age, from the 9th century A.D. The name of the village was identified like 'de Monte Sancti Witi' from 1271 A.D., a castle here was mentioned before that, in 1270 A.D. The latter was destroyed in 1291, and its ruins came to light in the excavations between 1980-1983. During these researches the remains of an earthwork-fortification were found, dated to 10th-11th centuries AD, and Roman and Celtic findings were also registered in the Savaria Museum, Szombahely. |
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If we descend from the plateau of the hill in the direction of
the valley, hiding the village, first we reach a large terrace,
then, after a steep descent, we reach a smaller terrace.
The best view one can get of these terraces is further down, in
Kõszegszerdahely.
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