Újkígyós: Cycling Route, Monument and Exhibitions

• The developed cycling route from the eastern end of Szabadkígyós to Petőfi Street in Újkígyós is about 6 km long; 4.6 km of it lies within the administrative area of Újkígyós.
• A monument to the 1848–49 Revolution and War of Independence stands in Wenckheim Park; it was erected in 2014.
• The headquarters of the Ipolyi Arnold Népfőiskola houses a local history exhibition and a permanent exhibition on Csángó heritage.

The cycling route runs from the eastern end of Szabadkígyós to Petőfi Street in Újkígyós. Its total length is about 6 km. Of this, 4.6 km runs within the administrative area of Újkígyós—this section is therefore part of the total length, not an additional stretch. This makes it possible to consider the overall length of the route separately from the portion within the town.

Check route conditions before setting out, as they may change.

The monument in Wenckheim Park commemorates the 1848–49 Revolution and War of Independence. It was created from designs by sculptor Gera Katalin and erected in 2014. Its design combines a dark grey polished granite block with a bronze flag sculpture. The stepped base is clad in cream-white limestone slabs, setting the dark stone, bronze and pale limestone clearly apart.

The headquarters of the Ipolyi Arnold Népfőiskola in Újkígyós offers a different way to explore cultural history. It houses a local history exhibition and a permanent exhibition on Csángó heritage. The subjects differ: one focuses on local history, the other on a distinctive cultural tradition.

In the wider destination of Békés, Körösvölgyi Animal Park is located in Anna-liget in Szarvas, in a 26-hectare grove. A walking trail about two kilometres long passes bird aviaries, animal houses, wetlands and spacious enclosures. The Jégmadár Water Nature Trail starts at the park’s pier and follows a one-kilometre stretch of the Szarvas–Békésszentandrás oxbow lake. Eight floating buoy stations introduce visitors to the oxbow lake and its wildlife, especially canoeists and rowboaters without an expert guide. The trail is accessible only by canoe or boat. The two nature experiences therefore differ not only in length, but also in the means of transport required: a walking trail in one case, a watercraft in the other.

The Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre in Réhely, near Dévaványa, offers another opportunity to observe nature. It is the only place in Hungary where visitors can see great bustards at close range. Guided tours, birdwatching, nature photography, themed programmes and astronomy presentations can be requested. These activities are led by experts, so treat them as options available on request.

The wider destination of Békés also offers different options for museum enthusiasts. The collection of the Munkácsy Mihály Museum in Békéscsaba includes natural history, archaeological, ethnographic, historical and art history objects. In Gyula stands a castle built in the 15th century, now considered the only intact lowland brick castle in Central and Eastern Europe. The collection and the castle thus offer different points of interest for culture enthusiasts in Békés, distinct from the local exhibitions and monument in Újkígyós.

How long is the cycling route to Petőfi Street?

The developed route from the eastern end of Szabadkígyós to Petőfi Street in Újkígyós is about 6 km long in total. Of this, 4.6 km lies within the administrative area of Újkígyós.

What exhibitions are there in Újkígyós?

The headquarters of the Ipolyi Arnold Népfőiskola houses a local history exhibition and a permanent exhibition on Csángó heritage.

What activities can be requested at the Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre?

Guided tours, birdwatching, nature photography, themed programmes and astronomy presentations are available on request.

How can you reach the Jégmadár Water Nature Trail?

The trail is accessible only by canoe or boat.

For the wider travel overview: Békéscsaba.