Bábolna: Stud Farm History, Nature and Bathing

The arboretum beside Csikótelep was established in 1965 and is a nature reserve of local importance. The horse-related history includes an exhibition in the former officers’ casino and a statue in the castle courtyard. The arboretum also has a petting zoo and animal enclosures; Bábolna Strand- és Termálfürdő offers leisure activities in summer.

The exhibition on the history of the stud farm is housed in the former officers’ casino. It covers more than two centuries of stud farm history, beginning with its founding in 1789. Documents, maps, sculptures and paintings are displayed alongside objects from everyday life with horses. The exhibition offers a glimpse both into the development of the stud farm and into the things associated with its daily work.

A different focus is the statue “Leghűségesebb bajtársnak” (“To the Most Faithful Comrade”) in the castle courtyard. It commemorates the horse that returned from the Battle of Győr in 1809 without its rider, thereby making the defeat known. While the exhibition looks at a long period of history, the monument commemorates a single recorded episode.

The riding arena is also part of local equestrian life: it is 15 metres wide and 44 metres long and, in addition to daily work, serves as a venue for horse demonstrations. Its dimensions and dual purpose give a concrete impression of a place where everyday work and performances come together.

Established in 1965, the arboretum beside Csikótelep combines a protected landscape with memorial sites and animal areas. The Híres Lovak Emlékparkja, a memorial to the stud farm’s horses, is located within the arboretum. The park, designated as a nature reserve, also includes a petting zoo and separate enclosures with wild boar, fallow deer, roe deer, alpacas, Mangalica pigs, various sheep and a donkey. Nature, equine memorials and wildlife observation are thus presented as distinct themes.

Check current access arrangements before your visit. If you would like to combine a visit to the park with a carriage ride, you can travel from Ménesudvar to the nearby arboretum in a carriage drawn by two Shagya Arabian mares. Advance booking is required for programmes.

The Gerecsei Tájvédelmi Körzet is located in Komárom-Esztergom, within the wider Komárom-Esztergom destination. It is a separately designated landscape protection area of national importance, covering 8,676 hectares. Geologically, alongside the predominant Triassic limestone, the Gerecse also contains Jurassic limestone, which is particularly rich in fossils. This regional perspective broadens the nature-related themes to include landscape protection and geology.

In summer, Bábolna Strand- és Termálfürdő offers an outdoor leisure pool, a paddling pool and a water playground. There are also bouncy castles, water bumper cars and an outdoor playhouse. As the leisure facilities are seasonal, check current opening arrangements before travelling.

The carriage ride from Ménesudvar to the nearby arboretum is another way to connect the two places. It is drawn by two Shagya Arabian mares; advance booking is required for programmes. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between seasonal bathing facilities and an excursion that requires an appointment.

Discover more destinations: Csém, Komárom, Ács.

What does the stud farm history exhibition show?

It covers more than two centuries of history since the stud farm was founded in 1789 and displays, among other things, documents, maps, sculptures, paintings and objects from everyday life with horses.

What animals are there in the arboretum?

In addition to the petting zoo, there are separate enclosures with wild boar, fallow deer, roe deer, alpacas, Mangalica pigs, various sheep and a donkey.

What should you know about the bath and carriage ride?

The leisure facilities at Bábolna Strand- és Termálfürdő are seasonal and available in summer. Advance booking is required for carriage programmes; check the bath’s current opening arrangements before travelling.

Go to the main travel overview: Komáromi.