Ercsi

The settlement has been in existence for more than 960 years, in the rank of country-town. Having an outstanding possibility for crossing the Danube river, and better than average arable lands, it has always played a central role in the region. Many times the settlement was uninhabited, but from time to time people came to live here. The original inhabitants, and the newcomers earned their income with agricultural activities and working in the adjacent industrial establishments.

Ercsi was an inhabited area even before the Hungarians settled down. A well known and very rich historical collection gives evidence to a flourishing, century old, roman culture. There are records of past from almost all important aspects of Hungarian history.

The first archive records from the age of Stephen I. prove the existence of Ercsi, when in 1037, the Abbey of Bakonybél was founded, and the fishery of Ercsi was registered among its benefices. The name of Ercsi has changed many times since the beginning of the 13th century:

In 1222 it was called ERHY,

In 1303 ERCHEY,

In 1318 ERCHE,

In 1331 ERCHY.

During the Turkish area it was mentioned as ERDZSIN and ARMANCSA. Then, from the 19th century its name was ERCSENY, and ERCSI. After 1620, croatian and bosnian families moved here. The landowners were happy for the arrival of peasants who farmed the abandoned lands, renovated the water-mills, and started fishing and trading. This fact gave great help for Ercsi to get the title of country-town. On the seal of Ercsi "Boldog Ason Ersi Város pöczeti 1638" could be read. The increase in living standards could be felt in the life of Ercsi.

After the Turkish was expelled from Hungary, in 1698 bosnian monks built a church instead of the abandoned Monastry on the Danube island. However, in 1767, Péter Szapáry, a new land owner in Ercsi, constructed a new church, and a chapel at the upper wineyards to Virgin Mary. These two holy places had characteristic roles in the spirituality of Ercsi. The cult of Virgin Mary did not fade away during the last centuries, the festival of Ercsi was always a key event. The owners of the settlement frequently changed.

In the 1780s, the number of inhabitans was about 2000, then it started to gradually increase since the turn of the 19th  century. In 1830, there were more than 4000 people living there.

Lilien József became the owner of Ercsi with marrying countess Szapáry Julianna. He introduced a well operated farming system based on the English system. He tried to keep the farmers in the settlement with building farmer houses, barns, stables in Savanyúgyöp. This led to the creation of the manorial system, the so-called Inner-Manor, the farmstead, the manor and the servants' dwellings.

In 1898, the farmsteads Aggszentpéter, Alsóbesnyő, Felsőbesnyő, and Gőböljárás, and manors Sinatelep, Katalin, Bevár (formerly Rohoda), Kisbesnyő (formerly Sörkevár), Rácszentpéter, Györgymajor, Malomtó (formerly Malonta és Szlatina), Máriaház (Krisandolina), Ferencmajor (formerly Pálinkaháza), Anasztázia (formerly Újmajor), and Kolompos, were integrated to the public services of Ercsi. More and more poor people offered their jobs to the Manor due to the above average work- and life conditions. The Lilien-Manor started to produce alcohol and liquore, and to process sugar in 1830. Later, in the Manor of Eötvös Ignác, a small capacity potato and starch sugar refinery operated. Because of this rather fast development, Ercsi became again country-town from 1800.

It had privileged rights for organising three national fairs, and one- or two-day markets every week. The number of master craftsmen who formed corporations was more than 50. Ercsi became an influential settlement of the county as a harbour with significant personal- and freight transportation. The Eötvös family was granted the title of Earl by Queen Mária Terézia. Eötvös Ignác came to Ercsi by marrying Lilien Anna. Their son, Eötvös József, was a great politician and writer of the Reform era. He spent his childhood in Ercsi, and expressed in his wish to be buried here too.

After the compromise of 1867, the flourishing local economy slowly developed. The roles of craftsmen's corporations and the water-millers became more important.  Beside the settled Serbs, the majority of inhabitants were Hungarian catholics, though a number of German, Slovak, Jewish, and Gipsy families had already been living here. The distribution of people by profession was mainly dominated by agriculture, however, due to the fast growing industrialisation, since 1910 the number of industrial workers increased. In 1912, the most modern sugar refinery of Central-Europe was built here.

The developers chose this place because of the nearness of the Danube river, the good natural conditions for sugar beet cultivation, and the abundance in local workers. After World War I, the average number of factory workers was 306. In 1948 the factory was nationalized. During the following years, technology was continuously developed, machines were modernised, and physical work decreased. Apart from the permanent workers, job was offered to seasonal workers too.

The name of Ercsi was associated with the army for a long time. In 1950, the independent pontoon-bridge brigade was founded. The members came from the professional and non-professional  soldiers of MN 9618 Budafok Háros Barrack, and from the new graduates of Táncsics Technical Military College. In October 1950, they were referred to the half-ready barrack.

In 1957, the brigade was turned into a battalion, but the real development took place in 1961, when under the leadership of major Gilicze Ferenc, the battalion became a regiment. Since its birth, the barrack has greatly improved. Quarters for 50 bachelor army officers, kindergarten for 75 children, a new, modern block of houses for army members, a servicing house, a sports centre, and a fly-over were built, all of which represent the goals of the local army leadership. This regiment greatly helped the whole nation to improve its economy. The soldiers worked hard in different constructions, such as building factories, oil- and gas networks, and the water power station in Dunakiliti. They also assisted the reconstruction works after natural catastrophies, like floods, fires, etc.

As a consequence of the army reform in 1991, the regiment was put under the order of the 1st Army Division (located in Tata), then in 1995, it became a general technical and organizational regiment. In 1997, the technical regiments were closed down, then a new pontoon-brigade was established. Finally, on 28th February 1999, the whole brigade was eliminated which lead to the ceasure of all military activities after 48 years in Ercsi.

Education has always had an important role in the settlement. The first clerical school was founded in 1769. From 1926 to 1948 a Civil Boys'- and Girls' School existed, then the kindergarten, the elementary school and the civil school were nationalized. In 1955, the elementary school took up the name of Eötvös József. In terms of school organization, centralised administration became the essential point. The schools located in Sina-telep, Rácszentpéter and at the sugar refinery premises fell within the schooling district of Eötvös School. Within the frame of this school, a school for the handicapped was put into operation, which became independent in 1986. From 1966 to 1973 a secondary school also functioned.

The cultural life of Ercsi is an important part of the local education. By 1962, the people of Ercsi, offering voluntary work, built a Cultural Centre which has a theatre for 400 spectators. There is a library, having 22000 books. The Local Army Club was closed for the public for a long time, but since the 70s it played important cultural and educational roles. The Health Centre which was built in 1986, outlines the future. The basic health services are offered by 4 general practitioners, 2 pediatricians, and 2 dentists. Beside the Health Centre there is a well equipped Pharmacy, carrying the name of Earl Eötvös József. In the Family Aid Centre functions the Elders' Club offering temporary accomodation. The sports life of Ercsi is well influenced by the Sports Centre and swimming pool, which was built in 1993.

As today, from among the outskirts of Ercsi, only Sinatelep and Rácszentpéter have remained as part of the settlement.  On the territory of Sinatelep, historical sites were excavated revealing objects (tomb stones, pots) from the bronze-age. Evidences from the roman age, prove that this area was inhabited in that age. Some relics of a watch-tower, and silver coins in clay-pots were found. The most important part of the near past is that the area, which was part of Ercsi settlement, was bought by Sina György from the Eötvös family. Sina turned it into a flourishing large-scale farm, therefore the settlement took up his name. In 1949, when the nationalization took place, it became National Farm of Sinatelep. Among other national farms, this one had a good position due to its modern equipment, and production results. Later, it was integrated into Agárd Agricultural Combinate. The majority of former workers of the national farm remained in the settlement, so development continued. Family houses were built, with adequate public utilities (water, gas, telephone).

Rácszentpéter was also a part of the Manor, where servant homes on valiant lands existed. Until 1971, a school functioned, which after the nationalisation became a part of Agard National Farm. Nowadays, only few families are living there, earning their income with working for the local enterprise.