Discover Köröstarcsa

• The Reformed Church was built between 1794 and 1796 to designs by Ágoston Fischer of Kecskemét.
• The free-standing building faces east; a tower with a fire lookout balcony stands in front of the west façade.
• A visit to the Népi Kulturális Ökocentrum és Tájház requires prior arrangement.

The Reformed Church combines a precisely dated building history with distinctive architectural features. It stands free and faces east. Its tower stands in front of the west façade and has a fire lookout balcony. The construction dates, 1794 to 1796, and the plans by Ágoston Fischer, who came from Kecskemét, give the church a clear historical context.

The Népi Kulturális Ökocentrum és Tájház offers a different insight into local culture. Plan to arrange your visit in advance. This makes the visit different from a spontaneous sightseeing stop; opening hours or walk-in access are not implied.

The wider Békés destination offers various ways to experience nature. Körösvölgyi Animal Park is located in a 26-hectare grove. Its approximately two-kilometre walking trail passes bird aviaries, animal houses, wetlands and spacious enclosures. This combines a walk through the grove with several glimpses of animal habitats.

The Jégmadár Water Nature Trail offers a different way to explore nature. It starts at the pier at Körösvölgyi Animal Park and follows an approximately one-kilometre stretch of the Szarvas–Békésszentandrás oxbow lake. Eight floating buoy stations provide information about the oxbow lake and its flora and fauna. The trail is intended primarily for canoeists and rowers; it can only be reached by canoe or boat. This distinction is important when planning: the walking trail through the grove and the water trail are not interchangeable routes.

At the Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre in Réhely, near Dévaványa, visitors can see great bustards up close; this is possible only here in Hungary. Guided tours, birdwatching, nature photography, themed programmes and astronomy presentations can be requested. The Réhely Trail starts and ends at the visitor centre. Another short walking option is the Mágor-pusztai Trail: it is just over 500 metres long and introduces the natural and cultural-historical values of the protected area.

Wetlands and birdwatching are also among the nature attractions in Békés. Kardoskúti Fehértó is an internationally recognised wetland and has been protected under the Ramsar Convention since 1979. Two observation towers make it easier to watch the birds there. At the Kardoskúti Bird Migration Museum, an interactive exhibition presents the phenomenon of bird migration and the region’s distinctive flora and fauna.

One date to note on the calendar is Bihari Táj Napja, held every year on the third weekend in May. Visitors can see wild orchids in the Ugrai Meadow, learn about the birdlife of the Biharugra Fishponds on a guided tour with an expert, and attend other educational and cultural programmes. Bihari Madárvárta is three kilometres from the centre of Biharugra and can be reached by a paved road.

Békés also offers different cultural attractions. The collection of the Munkácsy Mihály Museum includes natural history, archaeological, ethnographic, historical and art-historical objects. Gyula Castle was built in the 15th century and is now the only intact lowland brick castle in Central and Eastern Europe.

Those looking to combine landscape and culture on a cycling route can explore the Wenckheim Tourist and Cycle Route, a themed route showcasing the region’s cultural monuments and natural and distinctive landscape features. CsabaPark offers a culinary connection: the gastronomic event centre preserves, cultivates and presents the traditions of making Csabai sausage and also hosts the Csabai Sausage Festival.

Discover more destinations: Bélmegyer, Mezőberény, Békés, Doboz.

When was the Reformed Church in Köröstarcsa built?

It was built between 1794 and 1796 to designs by Ágoston Fischer of Kecskemét.

Does a visit to the Népi Kulturális Ökocentrum és Tájház need to be arranged in advance?

Yes. A visit requires prior arrangement.

Can the Jégmadár Water Nature Trail be reached on foot?

No. The trail can only be reached by canoe or boat.

To the wider travel overview: Békési.