Pusztaszer Protected Landscape, on the right bank of the Tisza River, is one of the most expansive protected landscapes in Hungary.


Nature

Parts of the Pusztaszer protected area include:

• The Labodar backwater -- protected under the Ramsar Convention
• Budos-szek Lake -- an internationally recognized wetland habitat surrounded by sodic plains, and
• The Sas-er Forest Reserve.

Furthermore, there are two fishpond systems in the protected area, Lake Feher and Lake Csaj.


Since the plant associations of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve region and the trans-Tisza region meet and intermingle here, the area has significant botanical values. Furthermore, the most important resting and feeding places for migrating birds on the Southern Plain are also in the Pusztaszer Protected Landscape area.

• Migrating birds that can be observed here include cranes, wild geese, ducks, and various shorebirds.
• Typical nesting birds of the area are herons, as well as various reed songbirds and birds of the sodic plains.

Those interested in bird life will delight in visiting Lake Feher near Szeged. From the lookout near the graveyard hill in Szatymaz there is a very good view of Kolon Isle with its swarming gull colony. The observation hide by Lake Csaj, which is primarily for ornithologists and photographers, can be visited by registered groups of 8-10 people in the company of a professional guide. The red stripe trail and the national blue trail lead across this area.


History

The Hetvezer Emlekmu (Seven-Chiefs Monument) can be reached after a 1-kilometre light walk from the village of Pusztaszer. The obelisk with the 'Turul', the mythical eagle of the ancient Hungarians, commemorates 1,000 years of Hungarian history. The monument stands on the tallest of the seven hills (kunhaloms) called Arpad-halom. Folklore tradition holds that valiant knights built the haloms using their helms to heap up the soil, thus making the first national assembly of the settlers of Hungary a memorable event. The 14-meter tall column is decorated with the bronze portraits of Arpad and his Chiefs in relief.


The Opusztaszer National Memorial Park is situated on the Pusztaszer Protected Landscape. Arpad Feszty's famous cyclorama painting depicting the Hungarian settlement, which can only be visited on previous arrangement, is displayed here. The Village Museum (Skanzen) shows the folk architecture of the late 19th century and the early 20th century, while the exhibitions in the 'Temple of Forests' presents the natural heritage of the area.


Further information and booking:
ONEP
6767 Opusztaszer
Szoborkert 68
Phone: 36 62 275 257


National Park Information:
Phone: 36 62 498 058


How to get there:

• The Memorial Park can be reached on Road E5 via Kistelek. There is a coach service from Kistelek railway station running directly to the Memorial Park and back.

• The lookout in Szatymaz can be approached turning off Road E5 at the 157-kilometer stone towards the graveyard hill.

Source: Kiskunsag National Park


Links

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Bird Photo Tours with Bence Mate of Pusztaszer -- International Wildbird Photographer of the Year 2005

Pusztaszer -- Hungarian