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Pure Sources-Hospitality in villages
Inns in the hilly countryside of Tolna county, far from the noise of the crowds, look forward to having visitors seeking relaxation and tranquillity. The county has a long tradition of hospitality, relatives and guests from faraway places will find their journeys accompanied by a warm welcome.
The county offers a wide variety of programmes. Visitors who feel like working with animals or helping around the house can join in the every-day activities of their host families. Women welcome enthusiastic visitors who want to help in the kitchen. Moreover, meals prepared together will taste even more delicious.
Among the people who like village tourism, the most well-known places in Tolna county are the German-speaking villages of Györköny and Hőgyész, Szálka with its idyllic scenery, Ozora, Váralja, and the tiny village of Várong.
Throughout its rich history, Tolna county has seen different nationalities living side by side. Folkdance groups, musical groups and tradition-preserving societies help to preserve this culture for future generations.
One of the most well-known and colourful areas is Sárköz with its five villages: Őcsény, Decs, Sárpilis, Alsónyék, and Báta. Calvinist Hungarians have developed a flourishing folk art here.
Another important ethnic group is the German minority. Historical objects of the German minority can be seen in village museums of Szakály, Györköny, Gyönk, and Bonyhád.
The culture of the Székely nationality, who came from Bukovina in Transylvania, also has had a great impact on the folklore of the country. Their history and traditional clothes can be seen in the Völgység Museum in Bonyhád.
The whole territory of the county is characterised by the existence of folk art deeply rooted in tradition. Old folk crafts like weaving, embroidery, egg painting, basket weaving, bead–threading, woodcarving and pottery can be found even nowadays all over the county. |
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Literary Heritage
Szekszárd and Tolna county can be proud of their cultural, literary and musical heritage. The most important figures of Hungarian literature were either born here or worked for some time in the town or in one of the settlements of Tolna county, where memorial places, statues or plaques preserve their memory. Getting to know our homeland will serve as a basis of devotion and love, which will result in a behaviour that appreciates the values of past and passes on the cultural heritage.
The passages selected by us were written by the most outstanding figures of Hungarian literature, drawing a varied picture of the area and the people living here, rich in ideas and emotions. The works of the young Vörösmarty and Petőfi, the poems of Babits inspired by Szekszárd, the prose and poetry of Illyés Gyula, outstanding works of Baka István and Mészöly Miklós will guide readers during their strolls in Tolna. „The scenery is not peremptory as it is elsewhere. Everything is miniature and balanced here. No piece is ostentatious….condensed Pannonia…such simple, intimate line, a stimulating framework for all kinds of moods.” – as Mészöly Miklós put it down so appropriately about the area.
1st Route: Following Illyés Gyula
The thematic journey encompasses the entire county, visitors can see the places related to the childhood of our great writer, as a related programme the mansions, castles and palaces of the county can also be visited.
The places related to the childhood years: Felsőrácegrespuszta, Simontornya, Ozora
Grammar school years: Bonyhád: Grammar school, Parish church, Völgység Museum
Memorial places in the area: The Serbian church of Grábóc, the Székler monuments of Kakasd, The Community Centre designed by Makovecz Imre
2nd Route: Following Vörösmarty Mihály and Petőfi Sándor
1st day: Kölesd: the Mansion of the earls of Merczy, Borjád: Sass–mansion, Uzd: the Manor house of the Fördős family, Museum, Sárszentlőrinc: Petőfi Memorial Museum (the former notary’s house where Petőfi used to live), Pálfa: Apponyi–mansion, Simontornya: Castle, Ozora: The Castle of Pipo, Pincehely – Görbő: the Memorial Room in the former Csehfalvy–mansion: Vörösmarty wrote his famous literary work called “ Zalán futása” (Zalán’s Escape) here, Alsóbörzsöny: Perczel–mansion: Vörösmarty used to work here as a private tutor – Memorial House, Bonyhád: Grammar School, the birthplace of Perczel Mór, monuments, Völgység Museum: The memorial Room of Vörösmarty
2nd day: Kiskőrös: the birthplace of Petőfi, sightseeing in Kecskemét
3rd Route: Literary Strolls in Szekszárd: the Memorial Places of Garay János, Babits Mihály and Mészöly Miklós
The literary mementos of Garay János: a walk in the main square and around, the statue of the poet, the remarkable buildings in Garay square, Augusz–house, connections with Liszt Ferenc, group of statues: Obsitos (“The Veteran”)
Related art monuments: Prometheus park, The House of Arts: attending art exhibitions and visiting the Wosinsky Mór County Museum
The memorial places of Mészöly Miklós: Garay János Grammar School, Illyés Gyula County Library: reading out passages from the works written by Illyés Gyula
The memorial places of Babits Mihály: a literary stroll in Béla square: Bezerédj street, old County Hall, ruins of the Abbey, the Archives, the Wine-well, the literary monuments of Babits street, the birthplace of Babits Mihály: a guided tour, reading out poems related to Szekszárd |
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Thermal Baths
Like many places in Hungary, Tolna County has many thermal baths to welcome visitors seeking the soothing therapy of a dip in the baths.
Gunaras has 7 thermal pools.
People with heart and circulatory diseases, arthritis, and other illnesses are treated effectively with the help of the baths. Recovery is assisted by a wide range of therapeutical services.
The open-air bath has two pools with thermal water, a 50-metre swimming pool and a pool for children, as well. Since it is an inside pool, visitors are welcome even in winter.
The Gunaras campsite is found near the thermal baths. It has playgrounds and tennis courts. Visitors looking for accommodation can choose from holiday houses, apartments. caravans, and campsites.
Those interested in active relaxation can enjoy boating, swimming, playing beach volleyball, or they can go fishing locally or at the Tüskei lakes. The nearby forest (Szigeterdő) is an ideal venue for pleasant walks.
Tamási offers seven pools of various sizes and with varying water temperatures. The water is rich in salt, alkali-chloride, and hydrocarbonate, and is particularly useful for follow-up treatment of people with locomotor diseases.
Services found at the baths (massage, sauna, solarium) all contribute to the comfort of the guests who come there. At the campsite nearby, sites for tents, apartments, and motel rooms are available. Cooking and eating facilities are provided at the campsite. Due to its open-air architecture, the bath is open to public from May to October.
The Dunaföldvár Spa and Thermal Baths welcome visitors with an outside- and an inside-pool. Their medicinal waters are especially recommended for those suffering from locomotor diseases or gynaeacological diseases.
The baroque castle of Apponyi family lies in Hőgyész.
It provides wellness services and attractive programmes for those interested. The therapeutical and wellness services are based on the thermal water opened up in the castleyard and can be used under medical supervision: manualtherapy, balneothera-py, electrotherapy, a beauty salon, a 20-metre swimmingpool, a steam-cabin and a healthclub. |
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Things Worth Seeing
Events, festivals and programmes that take place in various places around the county make the time spent here memorable.
You can take part in a genuine Hungarian feast if you visit the annual festivities on Saint Paul's Day in the town of Dombóvár in June.
Held every June, the Gastroblues Festival takes place with a great past in Paks. Each year more and more Hungarian and foreign groups take part in the festival.
The Danube Folklore Festival is held every third year. Many Hungarian and foreign folk dance groups participate. Embodying the values of peasant culture, the folk groups have performances in Kalocsa, Szekszárd, Baja, and in nearby villages.
Those who spend some days in Tamási can be part of some of the Tamási Summer Programmes which take place every two weeks.
The Szekszárd Grape-Harvest Festival in September, with its events and performances, deserve particular attention, as it can be considered the best. In the wine-court, which is set up for the duration of the festival, top-quality wine from Szekszárd along with cultural programmes provide an atmosphere of fun and relaxation.
The castle courts in both Simontornya and Dunaföldvár offer a series of open-air performances. The only German-speaking theatre in Hungary, Deutsche Bühne is a unique phenomenon in Szekszárd.
The Dreher Picnic in May in Sötétvölgy, the Alisca Days of Wine, Szekszárd Expo, the National Along-the-Sió Fishsoup-making Competition in Sióagárd, the Gunaras Summer Festival, the National Beach Volleyball Tournament can all be interesting for those who visit the area.
The Fiat Gemenc Grand Prix is held at the beginning of July, and in August the Sió Cup International Basketball Tournament and the Radenska International Replacement Handball Tournament take place. Fadd-Dombori hosts the SportTolna Triathlon Festival every August, while Őcsény is host to the International Ballooning Rendezvous and the Aeronautic Days.
Organised in various places in the county, horseback-riding days are a tradition. The Dombóvár Horse-riding Days and the Tamási International Hor-se-ridig Days held on 20 August are considered to be very special events. |
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Viniculture-Gastronomy
Indeed, the Romans found the slopes facing south in this area suitable for growing grapes, which resulted in a flourishing viniculture.
In the wine-district of Szekszárd, Chardonnay and Italian Riesling are the most popular kinds of white wine, while Kadarka, Merlot, Kékfrankos, Zweigelt, and Cabernet are the most popular kinds of red wine.
Numerous experts and artists have appreciated the quality of the wine of Szekszárd. Schubert composed one of his masterpieces while under its influences. The ailing Pope Pius IX, who was sent some Bull's Blood by Liszt Ferenc, said the following about it: “It helps to preserve my health and humour”.
After making an appointment in advance, groups can visit wine cellars and taste the wine accompanied by a professional wine guide.
The only wine-well of the country is situated in Szekszárd, in the courtyard of the old County Council. On special occasions, those interested can taste white and red wine from it. The wine-well is an important stop on the wine-route in the wine-district of Szekszárd. With its almost 20 stops, the wine-route welcomes visitors.
The three regions of the wine district of Tolna (Tolna, Völgység and Tamási) have 2000Ha area. In the middle and in the northern part of the county is mostly white wine (e.g. Italian Riesling, Rheinish Riesling, Chardonnay) produced.
Blue grapes (Oporto,”Kékfrankos”, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kadarka) are vintaged in a smaller area,mostly in the southern part
The Tolna wine-route helps to get to know the wines of the area better.
The cellar village in Györköny, the cellar-raw in Kölesd, the cellars in Paks, in Simontorny, in Felsőnyék, in Tamási, in Hőgyész and the cellar hill in Bölcske brings many visitors here.
A wide range of dishes reveal the uniqueness of cooking traditions, which is largely due to the German nationalities living here and to the fish and game that can be found in the county. Numerous spectacular dishes could be mentioned as specialities of the area, like “Gemenc deer rib with Kadarka sauce”, “lamb soup with tarragon”, and “strudels with grapes from Decs”. These special dishes can be found not only in the homes, but on the menu of more and more restaurants, county inns and county taverns.
The famous Hungarian fish soup, “halászlé”, deserves to be mentioned. The fish soup made here differs from the fish soup made in other parts of the country. The local version is served with special noodles. Some of the best restaurants serving fish soup can be found in Paks and Dunaföldvár. |
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A Past Etched in Stone and Mortar
Tolna county offers a wide range of sights to visitors interested in the past.
The Catholic church in the main square of Szekszárd was built in 1805 and is the biggest single-aisle church in Central Europe. Another rarity is the Baroque Greek-Orthodox church in Grábóc, which was built in the 18th century. The marvellous Holy Trinity Church in Paks was designed by Imre Makovecz.
Dunaföldvár has a castle built in the 13th century. The strong point of the castle, Csonka tower has exhibitions displaying the local history of the area. There is an exhibition of arms and weaponry, as well. The construction of the castle in Simontornya was begun in the 13th century. In its museum those interested can visit archeological findings, the museum of stonework remains, paintings of aristocratic castles, and art exhibitions of contemporary artists. In the summer months the castle and also Dunaföldvár castle are hosts to very popular theatre performances. The renaissance castle in Ozora was built in the 15th century. The recently renewed castle gives home to several exhibitions, such as the commemorative exhibition of Illyés Gyula.
Numerous museums can be found in the county. The oldest archeological findings of Tolna County can be seen in the Wosinsky Mór County Museum in Szekszárd. The regular exhibitions of the museum provide a glimpse into the everyday life and traditions of local inhabitants. The impressive House of Arts stands next to the museum. It used to function as a synagogue, but today it hosts exhibitions and concerts.
In the main square of Szekszárd, in the building of the old County Hall, visitors can look at the ornamental stone artwork of Eszter Mattioni, as well as a memorial exhibition to Ferenc Liszt.
The remains of the abbey built by King Béla I. in 1061 can still be seen in the courtyard of the Classicist County Hall.
The seat of the county gave Mihály Babits to Hungarian literature. The house now hosts a memorial to his memory.
The Town Museum in Paks shows the history of the town and the district until the beginning of the 20th century. The Paks Gallery displays works of contem-porary artists. The Paks Nuclear Power Plant Learning and Visitors' Centre provides useful information to visitors.
The Völgység Museum gives an insight into the history and traditions of Bonyhád and the villages nearby.
The István Fekete Musem shows the life and works of the writer. Those making a stopover in Dombóvár can have a look at the Kossuth historical sculptures, located in the Sziget-forest. The collection of the Regional History Museum presents the history of Dombóvár. In the Tamási Gallery a constant exhibition can be visited, the inheritance of Könnyű László's family.
The village community house in Kakasd has a unique architecture, which symbolises the intermingling of German and Székely nationalities living in the village. |
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Historical Heritage
Tolna county has been among the smallest counties of Hungary, not only as far as the area is concerned, but also with regard to the population and the economic indicators. But it has not always been like that. Some centuries ago Tolna county used to be among the leading counties of the country, both as far as its size and the importance are concerned.
With this guide we aim at organising three routes, where those interested can get acquainted with the remains of monasteries from the Árpádian age, the monuments related to the War of Independence led by Rákóczi, the Reform Era and the War of Independence of 1848–49. The 150 years of Turkish domination and the long period that has passed since then have damaged the monuments, but we hope that discovering and getting to know the memorial places will help to recognise and appreciate their significance, because these monuments do not only belong to our homeland, Tolna county, but they are also part of our shared heritage.
The Monuments Related to the Kings of the House of Árpád Found in Tolna county
Most of the monasteries found in Tolna county were founded in the Árpádian era. The first rulers settled Benedictine and later Cistercian monks. The Franciscan monks probably appeared later in the county, after the House of Árpád perished.
Dunaföldvár: According to the legends Béla II. founded a Benedictine abbey here in the 12th century to the memory of her wife, Ilona.
Madocsa: The present-day Calvinist church was built using the remains of the church of the Benedictine abbey
Báta: Our king, Saint László founded a Benedictine abbey here in 1093. The Sacred Blood Church was built in 1939, the name of which refers to the one-time relic. (The blood of Christ appeared in a Communion wafer in the church of the abbey, together with a piece of Christ’s body ).
Bátaszék: In 1142 Géza II. invited Cistercian monks, who built the first Cistercian abbey of Hungary here. Its remains can be seen in the park with ancient ruins, which is situated next to the church.
The Mausz-chapel, which was built at the end of the 19th century, can be found on road No. 56 driving from Bátaszék to Szekszárd in the direction of Szálka
Szekszárd: The most significant Benedictine abbatial seat was founded by Béla I. in 1061. Its foundation can be seen in the park with ancient ruins in Béla square. The building around it is the old County Hall, which contains other abbatial buildings, as well.
Grábóc: The oldest monastery of the county that has been inhabited continuously. At present it functions as a Greek-Catholic monastery.
Following the soldiers of Rákóczi in Tolna county
Tolna county was not under Kuruc rule for a long time, although it had a key role from a military point of view during the War of Independence led by Rákóczi. There was a constant fight for the strategic fortresses – Simontornya és Dunaföldvár – of the county.
The Kuruc entrenchment built near Dunakömlőd was of key importance, its ruins can still be seen in the area.
Dunaföldvár was first under Kuruc rule at the beginning of 1704 and the Kuruc forces left the town finally during the winter of 1710. The Csonka-tower can be found in one of the most beautiful places of Dunaföldvár, on the loess hill along the Danube. In its annex there is a museum these days.
Simontornya was also occupied first by the Kuruc forces in 1704, and it fell in 1709. In the castle of Simontornya there is a museum open to visitors.
The battle of Kölesd was fought to protect Simontornya, that is when Béri Balogh Ádám accomplished his most glorious feat of arms - the Kuruc forces led by him defeated the imperial army. Béri Balogh Ádám’s bust was inaugurated in the village in 2002.
Béri Balogh Ádám was caught by the imperial army in Szekszárd, in 1710. His memory is preserved by a monument, which was erected where he was supposed to be caught in Szekszárd
Memorial Places of The Reform Era and 1848 in Tolna County
The Reform Era and the Revolution and War of 1848–49 were probably the most glorious and most enlightening periods of Hungarian history.
Perczel Mór “honvéd” general and economist was born in Bonyhád, he is the most well-known person of the period who comes from Tolna county. The house where he was born is now a student hostel for girls, there is a memorial plaque on its wall in the honour of Perczel Mór. The park around the house built around 1870 is under protection noow, there are valuable species of trees there. The monument dedicated to Perczel Mór stands in Szabadság square, his grave can be found on the Calvary-hill.
The monument dedicated to the memory of 1848 can be found to the left of the church in Béla square in Szekszárd. That is where the memorial celebrations in honour of 1848 are held every year on the 15th March. The bust of Bezerédj István stands in the garden of the County Hall.
Szedres was founded by Bezerédj István. The mansion and chapel of the Bezerédj family are in Hidjapuszta, which is situated near the village.
The mansion of the nationally well-known politician, Csapó Dániel can be found in Tengelic. The Gindly–Benyovszky-palace, which was built in the first part of the 19th century, can also be found in the village, at present the exhibition of the Kossuth-prize winner sculptor, Kiss István can be seen. The Gindly-Benyovszky-mansion functions as an old people’s home nowadays.
The palace of Sztankovánszky Imre stands in Kajdacs. Sztankovánszky used to be the Lord Lieutenant of Tolna county in 1848, then became the government commissioner of the county. The palace houses a school these days and there is a memorial plaque in honour of its former owner.
The castle in Ozora has been renovated beautifully, this is the village where the most famous event of Tolna county took place in 1848, the triumph of Ozora over the Croatian forces. |
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Ethnographic Heritage
As far as the ethnographic heritage is concerned, Tolna County is one of the richest, most varied areas of Hungary. On its territory, in the past 300 years, representatives of seven nationalities and ethnic groups (Hungarian, German, Serbian, Slovakian, Jewish, Romany, Székler from Bukovina and Jazygian) and five religions (Catholic, Calvinist, Lutheran, Greek-Catholic and Israelite) have lived together.
The ethnographic map of the county has changed and has been reformulated several times during its history. The German colonization in the 18th century had a great impact on the county, and then it was also influenced by the great reorganisation of nationalities after the second world war, which meant the resettlement of the German nationality out of Hungary and the settlement of Széklers from Bukovina and the Hungarians from Upper Hungary into the territory of present Hungary. Naturally, the county has not been exempt from the devastating historical events that have tormented other parts of Hungary, the Turkish wars and the war of independence led by Rákóczi, among others.
With these routes, we intend to introduce the most important ethnographic areas of Tolna County.
Strolls in Sárköz
The stroll in Sárköz begins in Szekszárd, the first stop is the “Bogár-tanya” (the wine-cellar of the late Bogár István), which can be found on the old Őcsény-hill. The two historic buildings contain a private ethnographical collection showing the folk traditions of Sárköz, on the one hand the “best room”, the kitchen with an open chimney and the farm equipment, and on the other hand, the wine-cellar contains materials and equipment related to working in the vineyards, processing grapes, viticulture, wine-making and the treatment of wine. Visitors have the opportunity to taste wine here.
From here, the visitor can get to Őcsény, the settlement is a beautiful example of the architecture of Sárköz. Decs is the next venue, which is often recalled as “the capital of Sárköz”. Visitors can see the Village Museum (Tájház) and The Sárköz Doll Museum, Visitors can buy the works of bead-threaders and embroiderers. The greatest festival of Sárköz is the “Dunamenti” Folklore Festival, which takes place here every three years.
Sárpilis is the smallest and the poorest village of Sárköz, but it plays a leading role in the preservation of folk traditions. The village shows pieces of architecture that are characteristic of Sárköz.
From here we get to Alsónyék, where the Village Museum awaits visitors. The material collected in the village has been extended by objects collected by the Wosinsky Mór County Museum and has been turned into an exhibition.
The southernmost village of Sárköz is Báta. Visitors can get acquainted with the history of the village and its folk culture in the Village museum. Old fisherman’s traditions are shown in the Fishing Museum, which originally used to be a fisherman’s house. The traditional egg painting, which is characteristic of the village is preserved in the village.
“Shwabische Türkei”, among Representatives of the German Minority in Tolna County
Our ethnographic stroll begins in Bátaszék. The Village museum shows memorial objects of folk cultures. The three bedrooms give room to the memorial objects of all the nationalities together, Germans, Széklers from Bukovina and Hungarians from Upper Hungary.
Apart from its geological sight, the so-called “clod of Mórágy”, Mórágy is famous for its museum of local history. The religious significance of the area is that since 1724 German Calvinists have lived here, their folk culture is displayed in the collection.
Bonyhád is the capital of Völgység. The Völgység Museum shows the ethnography of nationalities that used to live in Bonyhád. Next to the museum we can find the House of Germans Living in Hungary. The group of buildings used to function as a farmhouse of a peasant family built between the two world wars.
The Heimatsmuseum (German Nationality Village Museum) in Nagymányok contains materials collected by members of the Tradition-preserving Association of Nagymányok.
In the German Nationality Collection of Hőgyész visitors can have a look at the local German folk costumes and furniture.
The German columned house with a porch in Gyönk was furnished and equipped by the materials collected by the Lutheran priest Lackner Aladár and his family. The collection that comes from ten villages in Tolna county and two villages in Baranya county is rich in textiles. These items were used by the ancestors during the period of their settling in Hungary and are preserved in an excellent condition. This village museum collects and displays traditional objects of life of the Protestant German nationality. The building was built in the middle of the 19th century. Originally it had walls made of beaten earth and a thatched roof. There were two bedrooms, a kitchen, a pantry and a stable built in a line, perpendicularly to the street.
A Day with the Széklers from Bukovina
Our stroll among the Széklers from Bukovina begins in Kakasd. The Community House of the village was designed by Makovecz Imre. The community house has two beautiful towers, the western one is the “Swabian tower”, the eastern one is the “Székler tower”. The former resembles the church tower of the village, inside the latter there is the church tower of Andrásfalva hidden that was left behind in Bukovina.
In the Völgység Museum in Bonyhád, visitors can see Székler works of folk art, sacred images, clothes, bed-linen and a wooden box for dotal gifts.
The majority of the population of Bonyhádvarasd comes from Hadikfalva in Bukovina. In their local collection, they have collected and display German, Székler (from Bukovina) and Hungarian (from Upper Hungary) ethnographic objects.
Tevel has the most Széklers, the Széklers living in the village come from Hadikfalva. The village puts a huge emphasis on the preservation of traditions.
Závod has a German and a Székler memorial room displaying old folk costumes, utensils and old photographs. The village has preserved numerous wooden columns, wall decorations, fences, chimneys, beautiful doors and stables.
The Apponyi residence in Lengyel contains a Székler collection from Bukovina, the collection includes utensils and mainly textiles. |
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