Lake Balaton’s hidden depths: Local legends speak of secrets and treasures below

Lake Balaton, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, is also shrouded in local legends of hidden treasures lurking beneath its serene waters. According to residents, there is a myriad of secrets hiding in Hungary’s iconic lake. Dive into these captivating stories and discover the treasures that have enchanted locals for generations.

The secrets of Lake Balaton

Promotions writes that Lake Balaton may now be a popular destination for swimming, water sports, and relaxation. However, its calm surface hides a wealth of secrets below. The “Hungarian Sea” has played a central role in Hungary’s history for centuries, from fishing and trade. Beneath its waters lie relics of this rich past, including old wooden ships and boats dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. These vessels, sunk by sudden storms and accidents, rest on the lakebed along with rumours of buried treasures—perhaps even gold or silver.

From war relics to personal belongings

Since the late 19th century, steamboats have navigated the waters of Lake Balaton, and today, remnants of these early vessels rest on the lakebed, often due to technical failures or accidents. The lake’s history grew even more complex during the Second World War, when fierce battles between German, Hungarian, and Soviet forces took place around Balaton. Tanks, military boats, and other combat vehicles were submerged, with some reports even suggesting aircraft remains.

Following the war, leftover military equipment, including weapons and explosives, was also discarded into the lake, adding to the collection of submerged relics. In more recent decades, even cars have ended up in the lake’s waters due to accidents or vandalism, while abandoned water sports equipment like surfboards and kayaks lie scattered on the lakebed. In addition, you must know someone who has lost a watch or a ring in Lake Balaton…

Photo: depositphotos.com

Legends about hidden treasures

Lake Balaton is steeped in legends of hidden treasures, with tales that captivate locals and visitors alike. One of the most famous stories centres around Saint Ladislaus of Hungary, who is said to have hidden his treasures in or near the lake to keep them out of enemy hands as an army approached. Though there’s no solid evidence to confirm this, the legend remains alive in local lore. Another popular tale dates back to the Turkish occupation of the 16th and 17th centuries, when Turkish soldiers, forced to retreat, supposedly concealed their stolen goods around Balaton, many never returning to reclaim them.

Another enduring legend is that of the “Golden Boat,” a merchant vessel said to have sunk in Lake Balaton, loaded with gold bars, silver, and gemstones. To this day, locals say the ship’s precious cargo remains undiscovered beneath the lake’s surface. While divers have retrieved some artefacts from Balaton’s depths, the thick lakebed mud and strict conservation laws make excavation challenging. Today, any archaeological exploration in Lake Balaton requires special permits, to preserve both the lake’s natural beauty and its hidden history.

Read also:

• Hungary’s natural waters warming faster since mid-1980s, research shows
• Official: Iconic Hungarian summer festival at Lake Balaton is no more