SOUTHERN GREAT PLAIN (Includes the counties Bács-Kiskun, Békés and Csongrád)
Although Southern Great Plain is the region of the Puszta, an infinite flat land with peculiar natural treasures this area has countless other lesser-known attractions in store for you.
- some lively cities with stunning architecture, interesting museums and with vivid cultural life
- small villages where people preserve the folk customs and crafts of their ancestors
- thermal baths with medicinal waters
- regional culinary delights
The beauties of the Puszta inspired several Hungarian poets (Sándor Petőfi, János Arany, Gyula Juhász) and writers who created some of the most memorable lyrics of Hungarian literature.
Famous Hungarian horse breeds like Nóniusz or Furioso at Mezőhegyes, which also has a coach museum.
Forces of nature like the river Tisza and the wind has shaped the landscape for many centuries creating a diverse scenery. The major rivers (Danube, Tisza, Maros and Körös rivers) deposited their silt on the flat land and built alluviums, formed new riverbeds by their huge bendings.
Archaelogical findings nearby Hódmezővásárhely show that people lived here as early as 7000 years ago and they built huge mounds from soil (called kunhalom in Hungarian) probably for burial purposes.
Men also altered the countryside by regulating the rivers, building dams, draining marshes, and trying to slow down shifting sand.
The Kiskunság area dominates the region between the Danube and the Tisza rivers with a varied landscape of rolling, sandy surfaces dotted with patches of flowery grasslands, wetlands, and groves.
Three national parks guard the natural treasures of the region:
- the Kiskunság National Park
- the Körös-Maros National Park, and
- the Duna-Dráva National Park
The Puszta of Bugac
Gives you a taste of spectacular horse shows, like the Puszta Ötös (Puszta Five), the lifestyle of sheperds in the Sheperd's Museum and of course authentic Hungarian dishes in the Bugac Csárda.
Part of Nagykunság belongs to Southern Great Plain too between the Tisza and the Hármas-Körös rivers. Backwaters, forests, thermal baths and riverside resorts make this part of Hungary a poular vacation spot.
Szeged is the focal point of Southern Great Plain abounding in architectural masterpices, wonderful and well-kept cityscape vivid cultural life that provide enetertainment not just during the summer months.
Liquid golden lies under our feet in the Southern Great Plain's: thermal waters with medicinal benefits feed around 40 medicinal baths and many other pools in the area.
Soaking in the baths will not only indulge you but will recharge your tired body and ease the pain in your joints.
The fertile land and the high amount of sunny hours make the most aprts of the southern Great Plain an agricultural tresaure trove. Several food delicacies considered to be Hungarian specialities are produced in this region. Gastronomy is also the focal point of many festivals and events, where you can take part in cooking competitions and taste some of the best local dishes.
Kalocsa & Makó
Kalocsa along with Szeged is the home of Hungarian paprika, the red spice that became the symbol of the country's gastronomy. around the time of paprika harvest strings of deep red paprikas hanging from porches, fences adore the town.
Makó became well known for the onions, another essential ingredient in Hungarian cooking, grown on the fertile lands in its neighbourhood.
The aromatic and juicy apricots produce in the region made Kecskemét apricot brandy a favored spirit even outside Hungary. You can learn about the secrets of pálinka making and taste it in the Zwack Fruit Brandy Distillery on guided tours. Apart from the famous liqueur Kecskemét has some unique collection in its numerous museums not to mention the fine examples of Hungarian Art Nouveau.
