Discover Bács-Kiskun: History, Lace and Nature

Four specific points of interest for your trip are the Tiszaalpár, Földvár nature trail, the Kiskunhalasi Csipkeház and Csipkemúzeum, the Boróka nature trail in Bugac and Lake Szelid. They represent different areas of interest: archaeological history, lace, forests and bodies of water. In Kecskemét, the Cifrapalota and the Természet Háza visitor centre add further cultural and nature themes.

In Tiszaalpár, the Tiszaalpár, Földvár nature trail presents the history of the Bronze Age fortification and the way of life of people in the Bronze Age. Tiszaalpári Földvár is a specially protected archaeological site in Bács-Kiskun. It was designated under Regulation 3/2003. (I. 25.) NKÖM. This allows you to understand both prehistoric settlement and the site's current protected status.

Also in Tiszaalpár, a reconstruction of an Árpád-era village, built for the millennium celebrations, depicts the settlement structure uncovered during local excavations. The nature trail and reconstruction shed light on the past in different ways: one deals with the Bronze Age, while the other illustrates the structure of an Árpád-era settlement.

In Kiskunhalas, the Csipkeház and Csipkemúzeum introduces visitors to the history of Halas lace, which began in 1902. Visitors can admire lacework dating back centuries and see the lace-making process. The Csipkeház was established as a workplace for lace-makers to preserve the patterns, designs and traditions of the world-famous Halas lace. The museum therefore focuses both on the finished pieces and on the craft and how it is passed on.

Lake Szelid near Dunapataj is a natural oxbow lake that developed from a branch of the Danube after the Ice Age. The lake's blue-green algae nature trail covers the lake's development, the characteristics of its water, the organisms living there and the surrounding wildlife at twelve information stations. This lets you explore the lake's formation and natural relationships through a range of topics.

The nature trail is accessible on foot and by bicycle all year round. As local conditions can change, check them before your visit. The Boróka nature trail in Bugac has a different focus: its information boards are complemented by interactive stations, including a forest xylophone and a play telescope. The trail is 1,100 metres long. The two nature trails thus differ both in their subject matter and in the stations described.

The directions to the Pásztormúzeum are also useful for finding your way: from the Puszta Kapuja Information Centre, you can reach it on foot via a dirt track; the distance is about 1.5 km. This is an approximate figure and refers to the route described.

The Cifrapalota currently serves as an exhibition venue for the Kecskeméti Katona József Museum. The Természet Háza is the visitor centre of Kiskunság National Park and offers a different kind of introduction: there you can learn more about the national park's nature trails, visitor conditions for protected areas, its ecotourism programmes and forest schools. The cultural institution and visitor centre therefore appeal to different interests—with exhibitions on the one hand, and information about nature activities and protected areas on the other.

When planning, you can first decide whether you are more interested in archaeological history and crafts or in nature trails and bodies of water. The specific themes described range from the Bronze Age trail in Tiszaalpár and Halas lace in Kiskunhalas to the paths in Bugac and by Lake Szelid.

Discover more destinations: Kiskunfélegyháza, Kiskunhalas, Kunszentmiklós, Kecskemét, Kalocsa, Kiskunfélegyháza, Kiskőrös, Baja, Kunszentmiklós, Kiskunhalas, Jánoshalma and Kiskunmajsa.

What distinguishes the historical themes of Tiszaalpár and Kiskunhalas?

Tiszaalpár is about a Bronze Age fortification and a reconstruction of an Árpád-era settlement. In Kiskunhalas, the focus is on the history of Halas lace and lace-making.

Is the blue-green algae nature trail at Lake Szelid accessible all year round?

Yes. It is accessible on foot and by bicycle all year round; local conditions may change.

How do you reach the Pásztormúzeum from the Puszta Kapuja Information Centre?

On foot via a dirt track. The museum is about 1.5 km away.

For the main travel overview: Hungary.