Szekszárd

The town of Szekszárd is the seat of Tolna county an one of the oldest settlements in the Trans-Danubian region with inhabitants. It is situated 140 kilometres from Budapest, 70 kilometres from the Croatian border.

History Szekszárd and its neighbourhood were inhabited a very long time ago. The Romans introduced the production of wine and the Roman military road led this way from south to north to Aquincum. The name of the town was Alisca. The earliest reference to Szekszárd appears under the name of Sagard in the foundation deed of the Pécsvárad Abbey.

King Béla I. established a Benedictine Abbey in the town in His statue is in the garden of the church. In 1541 the town was captured by the Turks. The area became depopulated and most of the towns and villages were ruined. From the beginning of the 18th century southern Slavs and Germans settled here.

In 1848 the reform Period the citizens of the town supported the War of Independence led by Kossuth. In the past Szekszárd and the surrounding area were an important agricultural area that was famous for its cattle, silkworm breeding and wine. In the shield of the town you can see: grapes, wheat and a bell.

The town has now several industrial plants, joint ventures, which are situated outside the town. For example: leather and plastic processing, car spare component parts and a dairiey. The Aliscavin produces several excellent wines: Franc cabernet, Oporto, Bull’s Blood.

The sights of the town County hall It is the most beautiful classicist style building of the town, designed by Mihály Pollack. The Benedictine abbey was on its site in King Béla the first had been living here for several years. A lot of concerts of Liszt were organised here. A wine fountain is standing in the garden of the Old County Hall.

City hall It was built in 1842 in late baroque style. It was built in 1842 in late baroque style. Church, Holy Trinity Statue The central Catholic church was built in It is the largest one- nave church in Middle-Europe. The Holy Trinity Statue is the oldest baroque relic in Szekszárd, it was erected in 1853 in memory of stopping the plaque epidemic.

Garay square with the statue of the poet.

German Theatre, the first German speaking theatre in Hungary.

Augusz-House: was built in 1820 after the pattern of castle of Miramare near the Lake Genf Switzerland.

Prometheus Park: was formed in Prometheus stole the fire from the Gods for people. As a punishment he was chained to the rock and a vulture tore his liver.

Community centre Babits: built in 1970, with a 600 seat-theatre, movie, rebuilt in 2005

The house of arts: Former synagogue built in 1897 in mor style, rebuilt in 1985

Wossinszky Mór Museum: built in neoclassicist style in The museum is well known for its rich archeological and enthographical material.

Kálvária-hill: Grapes monument (built in 1983) Look-out tower Great view to the town

The surroundings of Szekszárd

Szálka

Szálka is located in the hearth of Szekszárd Hills 12 kilometers from the cities of Szekszárd and Bonyhád. Szálka Lake winds along the longest valley of Szekszárd Hills. The 67 hectares lake is the major attraction of the village. The surrounding forests shelter a wide variety of game and famous for their outstanding deer population. In 1891 a deer with a 14.5kg antler was shot in these forests which had been a world record for a long time. 67% of the local area is forest which guarantees excellent air quality and microclimate.

Available activities in Szálka: wine tasting, horse riding, fishing and hunting, skating, hiking and bike riding in the forest, boating, arts and crafts, and pig sticking.

Pörböly

The village started taking shape after world war I. only. Its population originates from the neighbourhood plains. For the inhabitants of the settlement primarily the Gemenc forest and the proximity of the world-famous animal stock gives work. We can enter the Gemenc forest with a railway and we can visit the folklor exhibition.

Sióagárd

It has a characteristic folk costume. The locals put it on even nowadays on holidays. Excellent wines are made in the cellars of Leányvár which rises next to the vilage. Some of the programmes are: wine tasting, visiting cellars, Embroidery Museum, Reneissance banquet for groups

Dark Valley The „Dark Valley” Natural Park can be found 10 kms from Szekszárd, which is a famous tourist spot for hiking, relaxing and fishing.

Decs

It is well known of it’s folk costume and preserved culture. Every third year, during the the Riverside Folklore Festival by the Danube it presents this treasure, but there is also much to see in the Folk- house. It has a doll museum with more than hundred dolls in traditional costumes of Sárköz.

Tamási

In Tamási you can do lots of things too. You can relax in the Thermal Spa, visit the Natural Preserve of Gyulaj, visit wine cellars or go angling. If you want to see the cultural side of Tamási, you can see the monuments, the archaeological findings, paintings or contemporary fine art pieces.

Thank you for your kind attention!