Nagyharsány: Sculpture Park and Szársomlyó

• The history of Nagyharsányi Szoborpark began with an idea in 1967: to establish a sculptors’ colony in the former quarry on Szársomlyó.
• Opened in 2020, the Kikerics Panoramic Trail passes through the Sculpture Park and introduces visitors to the natural and cultural values of Szársomlyó.
• The Duna–Dráva National Park Directorate offers guaranteed, expert-guided tours from the Sculpture Park to the summit year-round, five days a week, for both individual visitors and groups.
• Nagyharsány has been one of the venues of the Ördögkatlan Festival since its beginnings and is part of the Háromfolyó cycling route.

The origins of the Szoborpark lie in the idea, conceived in 1967, of establishing a sculptors’ colony in the former quarry on Szársomlyó. This history gives the site a clear connection to art. The roughly one-and-a-half-hour program begins in the reception building with a short talk about art. A guided walk then takes visitors to characteristic works from different periods. Participation in this program must be arranged in advance.

The Kikerics Panoramic Trail offers a different perspective: opened in 2020, it passes through the Sculpture Park and introduces visitors to the values of Szársomlyó. By contrast, the National Park Directorate’s guided hikes go from Nagyharsányi Szoborpark to the summit. According to the offer, they run year-round five times a week and are intended for individual visitors as well as groups. If you plan to join one, check the practical details directly with the Directorate before you travel.

The three options differ in focus and duration: the art program lasts about one and a half hours, the panoramic trail runs through the park, and the guided hike goes from the Sculpture Park to the summit of Szársomlyó. When planning your day, you can first decide whether art in the park or a guided tour should take priority.

Nagyharsány has been one of the venues of the Ördögkatlan Festival since its beginnings. Event dates and programs vary, so check the current schedule when planning your trip. Cyclists also have a named route to consider: Nagyharsány is part of the Háromfolyó cycling route. Before setting off, check a current route map to see which section suits your plans.

For a broader trip around the wider destination of Baranya, there are additional cultural and nature experiences to explore. In Pécs, the Early Christian Necropolis of Sopianae includes decorated tombs dating from the 4th century. They were built as underground burial chambers with above-ground memorial chapels and feature richly detailed Christian wall paintings.

Also in Pécs, the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter offers several exhibition themes: “Golden Age of Zsolnay,” “Pink Exhibition,” and an exhibition on the family and factory history. Children’s activities include outdoor playgrounds, an interactive lab, a planetarium, the Bóbita Puppet Theatre, a ceramic-painting workshop, and classes at the Hercules Workshop. The Cultural Quarter’s freely accessible outdoor area can be entered and used free of charge during opening hours; check current opening details before your visit.

The Ős-Dráva Visitor Centre near Szaporca combines an interactive exhibition with a demonstration farming area showcasing practical land management, and three themed educational trails. These introduce visitors to traditional farming, the Ős-Dráva Programme, and the wildlife along the Drava. The agricultural area features native Hungarian domestic animals, including Hungarian Grey cattle, Mangalica pigs, Hucul horses, and old breeds of sheep and poultry. The Wilderness Trail along the Old Drava also has a birdwatching and bird-ringing station, a lookout point, a photography hide, a covered activity area, and several rest stops.

In Siklós, the castle is one of Hungary’s best-preserved military complexes and among the country’s most significant Renaissance buildings. Modernization of the museum wing opened the Gothic section, which had previously been inaccessible to visitors. In Villány’s cellar row, you can go from cellar to cellar throughout the year to sample wines and food.

Discover more destinations: Harkány, Siklós, Villány, Beremend, Matty, Gordisa, Kisharsány, and Rádfalva.

How long does the art program at Nagyharsányi Szoborpark take?

The program lasts about one and a half hours. It begins in the reception building with a short talk about art, followed by a guided walk to characteristic works from different periods. Participation must be arranged in advance.

How often are guided tours to Szársomlyó offered?

The Duna–Dráva National Park Directorate offers guaranteed, expert-guided tours from the Sculpture Park to the summit year-round, five times a week. Individuals and groups can take part. Check practical details with the Directorate before you travel.

What is known about the Ördögkatlan Festival in Nagyharsány?

Nagyharsány has been one of the festival venues since its beginnings. Dates and programs vary, so check the current event information for your travel period.

For the wider travel overview: Siklós.