Attractions in the area

Thermal Spa

It is not only the medicinal water that has its spontaneous effect at the thermal baths at Harkány. The natural conditions are excellent: the favorable climate, the micro-climate of the spa, the 2.100–2.200 sunny hours a year can splendidly complement a carefully planned course of treatment. In the medicinal baths – completely refurbished in 2003 – a fully covered, a half-covered, and an open pool await the guests with a total water surface area of 2098 m2, with a depth of 110-153 cm at a temperature of 34-38 °C centigrade.
In the prevention and treatment of locomotor and arthritic disorders, in improving a condition of osteoporosis, chronic gynecological inflammations, and disorders of the lymphatic circulation, outstanding results might be achieved during a course of treatment at Harkány.
Our dermatologists have had excellent results in the treatment of psoriasis with the waters at Harkány. We do not wish to assert that such improvement can only be achieved by a cure session at Harkány, as there are two further places in the world that can be hopefully visited by psoriasis sufferers.The nearest one of these to Europe is the Dead Sea.Open-air Bath

The world famous open-air and medicinal baths at Harkány await you and your esteemed family every day of the year. In the 13.5-hectare  natural park where the baths are located, from May to October, open-air pools, a swimming pool, a separate pool for children to paddle in, and, at the height of the season, a water-chute are inviting the lovers of open-air bathing. A friendly and high-standard environment is at the disposal of the guests for sun-bathing, games, sports, and having meals. Our animators prepare programmes for old and young of the family, so everybody can find what suits them most.

Water surface area of the sports pool: 1050 m2
That of the butterfly pool: 1460 m2 és 1520 m2
That of the children’s pool: 220 m2

An up-to-date bath complex can hardly be imagined without a sauna, an effervescent and a massaging pool, or without a cosmetic and massaging parlour, as these freshening cures serve not only the general feeling of well-being but also help to preserve the body’s youth and beauty. All that can, of course, be found at the Harkány establishment.Sacred Heart Catholic Church

In the 19th century, the growing Catholic population of the village and the high number of Catholic guests visiting the spa made it necessary to build a church. As a result, the Catholic chapel was built in 1906, allowing Roman Catholics to practice their religion and attend Masses. The chapel was consecrated in the same year in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. With the increase in the population of Harkány, the number of Roman Catholics in the village rose to over 2,000 by the mid-1980s. In addition, tourism also increased. These facts made it necessary to enlarge the Roman Catholic chapel, which could accommodate about 100 people. The construction began in 1985, based on the plans of József Holczer, under the direction of Ferenc Hopp, the parish priest of Máriagyűd.The chapel consecrated in 1906 was built in neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic style, while the new church bears the marks of the modern era. The renovated church, which has increased sixfold in terms of its floor area, was consecrated on October 22, 1988 with the presence of several thousand believers. Since 1990, Harkány has been an independent Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pécs. The fire enamel works of László Morvai of the Stations can be viewed on the outer wall of the church, and the stages of Hungarian history in the churchyard can be viewed every day between 9:00 and 20:00. Opening hours: Partially open every day from 9:00. Open in winter between 15:30 and 18:00. Open in summer between 17:30 and 20:00. Contact: 7815 Harkány Ady E. u. 3., Tel.: +36-72-479-966Reformed Church

The late Baroque, braided-style Reformed Church was built in 1802 and is located on Kossuth Lajos Street, the main street of the spa town. Next to the building is the bust of Mihály Sztárai, a reformer who was active in the region, primarily in Siklós, in the 1500s. The Harkány Reformed congregation began construction of its church on March 21, 1798. The beautifully-lined, braided-style building, decorated with a pyramidal tower, was completed in 1802. Contact: 7815 Harkány, Kossuth u. 64., Tel: +36-72-480-215Terehegyi Reformed Church

The church, built in 1798 and also protected as a monument, is located on a small hill in the Terehegyi district. The Reformed congregations in Ormánság were reorganized after the Edict of Tolerance of Joseph II (1781). The Reformed churches of the region were mostly built in the late 18th century and early 19th century, and are representatives of the rural late Baroque, Copf and Classicist architectural styles. These churches with pointed towers, mostly located on the axis of the main road, and clearly visible from afar, and of monumental significance, fitting into the landscape, are specific, local examples of Hungarian church architecture. The puritanical understanding of the Reformed religion banished carved and painted images and depictions of the human body from the church, and only tolerated the purity of whitewashed walls. Strangely enough, in Transylvania, in Nyírség and here, in Ormánság, the image and the decoration nevertheless returned to the Reformed churches on the wooden ceilings, on the parapets of the choirs, on the sides of the benches, on the top of the pulpit. These paintings were made at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, the work of local or itinerant painter-carpenters, and guild craftsmen.They mostly worked from a pattern book, but they added their individual taste, imagination and talent to the templates. The Reformed church on Terehegyi Street was built around 1800 in the Cof style, with the cooperation of the people of the village. An 18th-century organ was also brought from Pécsvárad for the new stone church, which is unparalleled in all of Europe. The benches are in Baroque style. The church was renovated in 1988 and inaugurated in a ceremonial setting with the participation of the organist Dezső Kosaras from Debrecen. Contact: 7815 Harkány, Terehegyi u. 1/A, Tel.: +36-72-480-215Zsigmondy promenade, park

The construction of the spa began in the mid-1820s, shortly after the accidental discovery of the healing effects of sulfuric water. The first spa building was in the classicist style, and the attached hotel welcomed guests with 28 rooms. The landscaping of the area soon began, with walking paths being created on about 40 acres, trees and bushes were planted, and sculptures were erected along the walking paths. The first wells bringing karst water to the surface were built based on the plans of mining engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy. The ancient park south of the spa was named after him, where numerous works of art and comfortable benches await those wishing to relax.Harka – fountain

Among the cool shady trees of the Zsigmondy ancient park next to the Spa, we find the Harka fountain, which is reminiscent of the girl in the Harkány legend. The precious fountain, made of Zsolnay material and completed in 2000, is decorated with motifs symbolizing the legend of Harkány water.

The Millennium National Apple

The work of László Vajda and Tamás Kamerer, the Millennium National Apple, was presented in 2000. The national apple is surrounded by porcelain images made in the style of the initials of the codes. The sculpture was made using a variety of materials and also features the coat of arms of the City of Harkány.Attractions in the area

Siklós – Máriagyűd

Siklós Castle The symbol of Siklós is the Castle, which has a history of nearly 800 years. Rising high above the city, Siklós Castle served not only defensive but also tactical purposes, and was also the estate center of the most significant noble families of the era. The castle is one of the most significant Hungarian Renaissance-style buildings, which is already mentioned in written records in 1294. Over the centuries, many noble families have visited the castle. The property, currently owned by the Hungarian State, has been managed by the Siklós City Municipality since 1999.The reconstruction of the castle, implemented in two phases with a grant of one and a half billion forints, began in the autumn of 2009. The modernization of the museum wings of the Siklós castle, among other things, made it possible to present the Gothic part of the monument – previously closed to visitors – which received a special glass floor solution. Of course, the reconstruction of the Dorottya Garden, the barbican and the chapel was not left out either. Since the spring of 2011, the renovated and beautified castle, complete with a modern visitor center, has been welcoming visitors. The castle’s artistic offering is enriched by historical, painting, fine art, renewed permanent and temporary exhibitions. Visitors are welcomed by numerous entertainment programs, classical and pop music concerts, and summer theater performances. The old and renovated parts of the castle offer a unique experience.

Reformed Church The Reformed Church of Siklós is – according to local tradition – the same age as the Hungarian Reformation. According to documents, the first Reformed pastor of Siklós was Mihály Siklósi (or Szilvási), who, according to some opinions, was a native of the city and moved to today’s Sátoraljaújhely, which, like Siklós, was a Perényi estate at the time. There, in 1522, he preached the word in a Reformed spirit and then worked in Siklós. More than 200 years later, in 1791, the foundation stone of the Reformed stone church of Siklós was laid. Thanks to the support of the owner at the time, Count Antal Batthyány, the church was completed in 1806. The count’s separate pew can still be seen here today

.Malkocs Bey Mosque The mosque was built by a high-ranking Turkish person, Malkocs Bey, between 1543 and 1565. Over the centuries, its condition deteriorated significantly. The quality of its renovation was recognized with a Europa Nostra award in 1993. Today, it functions as both a museum and a house of prayer.

Serbian Orthodox Church The Serbs who settled in Siklós in the 15th century built a church in 1738 with donations from the faithful, which was rebuilt after it burned down. The iconostasis and furnishings of the building, which has a coif style, were probably made around 1800. It was in a very neglected state for decades, but can now be visited.

Franciscan Church The church, originally dedicated to Saint Anne (mother of the Virgin Mary), may have stood here as early as 1333, as mentioned in a written source. Its original frescoes can still be seen today. The monastery building next to the church was converted into a ceramics workshop in the second half of the 1970s.Máriagyűd

Basilica Máriagyűd is one of the most significant and popular pilgrimage sites in Hungary. The two-towered, Baroque-style Roman Catholic church was built in the 18th century by Franciscan monks. The predecessor of today’s church was a wooden church from the Árpád era, which burned down during the Turkish period. It has long been a place of pilgrimage due to the frequent hearings and the 17th century Marian apparitions. The church was granted the status of Basilica Minor in 2008. Máriagyűd is the end point of the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route, similar to El Camino, based on Hungarian cultural traditions. The 420km-long Pilgrimage Route connects the country’s holy places from Esztergom to Máriagyűd.

Villány

Several wineries offer their specialties on the historic cellar row on the main street of Villány. It is worth visiting the Wine Museum, which is housed in the former Teleki Cellar. Here, visitors can get acquainted with traditional winemaking tools, written and material relics, and nearly a hundred-year-old wine bottle Methuselah elements. Villány’s former quarry hides very valuable sights for hikers. The uniquely rich ammonite fauna of the 135-140 million-year-old red limestone, which is under nature protection, is a paradise for those interested in paleontology. Reptile vertebrae and remains of shallow-sea creatures were found. Lajos Lóczy first processed the find in 1915, which became world-famous for its species richness. As a result of research since 1910, researchers have discovered 27 new animal species from 10 sites here. The stratigraphic name Villanyium, used worldwide for the latest period of the Pleistocene, comes from this.

Danube-Drava National Park

In addition to its cultural and historical monuments and its deservedly famous wines, the Villány Mountains region is also exceptionally rich in natural treasures. Thanks to the special geographical location of the area, it boasts a unique, Mediterranean-influenced, rich flora and fauna, including many rare and protected species. Nature-loving visitors can take an exciting tour of the Szársomlyó or the wild and romantic floodplains of the Eastern Drava.Szársomlyó

Nature Reserve Szársomlyó is the highest massif in Hungary’s southernmost mountain range – the Villány Mountains. Its powerful elevation creates unique and very different microclimatic conditions on the southern and northern sides, and botanical rarities live in its sub-Mediterranean climate areas. 75 protected plant species have been found on the mountain, of which 4 species – including the highly protected Hungarian kikerics – occur exclusively here in our country. The name Szársomlyó comes from the old Hungarian word “szár”, which meant bald. In the language of the people, it is known only as “the devil’s plowed mountain” due to its rocky surface. The southern front of the mountain, which provides security and protection, has been an area inhabited for 3,000 years. Even the settlers of the Roman Empire built cities here, and they also introduced the viticulture that is still dominant today. A castle stood on the top of the mountain since the 1200s, the remains of which can still be seen today. Intensive limestone mining began in Szársomlyó in 1910. The older, eastern mine was taken over by sculptors in 1967, and their artist colony is still operating today.

Along the Drava River Few untouched landscapes remain in Europe today as the Drava River basin. The river meanders largely unregulated, in its natural bed, and its wildlife is extremely rich. Our great river with the cleanest water, it enters our country in the Zákány-Őrtilos region and leaves our country after Drávaszabolcs. On its banks, we can admire the mostly undisturbed floodplain wildlife. The backwaters and their surroundings are home to many special plant and animal species, and offer peace and tranquility to visitors. Along the Drava River, it offers great opportunities for the increasingly popular branch of tourism, ecotourism. The entire Hungarian section of the Drava River is under nature conservation protection, therefore, in order to have a richer, more complete experience, we definitely recommend that hikers inquire about the wildlife of the given area, the conditions and method of visiting, possible professional guides, and educational programs at the Danube-Drava National Park Directorate before visiting a particular attraction.

Palkonya

The village was the first in Hungary to become a European Cultural Village in 2007. The village’s Catholic church was built by the Batthyány family and consecrated in 1816 in honor of St. Elizabeth. The red-domed church, which can be seen from afar, is one of the most beautiful examples of Hungarian round churches. Palkonya still faithfully preserves the architectural culture of the German winegrowers who settled there in the 18th century. The most notable monument in the village is the row of cellars consisting of 53 wine press houses covering the hillside at the end of the village. Half of the residential buildings are locally protected monuments, and as a result of the architectural heritage protection program, their facades are decorated with “Protected” ceramics that form the shape of the house. Palkonya is surrounded by three fish ponds, whose rich birdlife and tranquility provide refreshment for those who come to fish and hike. There are many marked hiking trails in the area, and the international “Three Rivers” cycling trail also passes through here. You can enjoy the unparalleled panorama of Palkonya by walking up the Palkonya “Weingarten” vineyard hill, where the newly built and consecrated in 2007 St. Bartholomew’s Chapel is located.