The river is the lifeblood of the Csongrád-Csanád county. It flows through the landscape with a calm power. You will find sandy beaches and shady banks everywhere. Sunlight sparkles on the water all day long. Small ferries wait to carry your car across the slow currents. You can watch the local fishermen waiting for a bite in the reeds.
Szegedi flavor is waiting for you in the city squares. The open air theater and the huge cathedral are must-see stops. Try the famous fish soup with plenty of spice. The food here is as warm as the local hospitality. You can spend hours walking through the grand parks and riverfront paths. The architecture reflects a city that was reborn from the great flood.
Drive through the onion fields of Makó to see the strange buildings. They look like they grew out of the ground. The flat plains are perfect for watching the sunset. It is a region of light and water. The horizon glows pink and orange over the vast cornfields. Every small town has a thermal pool where you can wash away the dust of the road.
Csongrád-Csanád highlights
- Ópusztaszer Heritage Park See a giant circular painting that tells the story of how the tribes first arrived in this land a thousand years ago. The park is full of old farmhouses and wooden mills from the plains.
- Szeged Votive Church Visit a massive twin towered cathedral in the sunniest city of the land where the bells ring across a grand square. The red brick walls and the mosaic art make it a beautiful stop.
- Mórahalom Spa Soak in the hot mineral pools that are famous for the healing power of the dark earth water. It is a popular spot for a break during a drive through the southern border region.
- Tisza River Dam Walk along the high earth walls that protect the flat land from the power of the blue river. You can see the wide water and the many boats that carry wood and grain.
- Makó Onion House See a strange and beautiful building made of wood and glass that looks like a giant flower or a white onion. The town is the home of the best onions in the land.
- Hódmezővásárhely Pottery Explore the shops of local artists who make plates and jars with blue and green patterns. The town has a long history of making art from the clay of the river banks.
- Fehér Lake Bird Watch Visit the largest salt lake in the land to see thousands of white cranes and ducks during their long flights. The quiet water and the flat horizon make it a peaceful nature stop.
- Szatymaz Peach Orchards Drive through rows of fruit trees that are heavy with sweet peaches in the middle of the summer. You can buy fresh fruit from the farmers right next to the road.
- Kurca River Path Follow a small winding river through the heart of the region to find quiet fishing spots and old wooden bridges. It is a slow and calm route for a relaxed afternoon drive.
- Szentes Windmill Stop at a tall brick tower with giant wooden sails that once ground grain for the whole valley. It is a rare sight on the modern plains and makes for a great photo.
The local Four
History of Csongrád-Csanád
Csongrád-Csanád is a sun drenched land where the wide Tisza river brings life to the golden plains. In the late 9th century, the leaders of the seven tribes held their first parliament here at Szer, marking the birth of the nation’s laws. This sacred site is the anchor of the Tisza river heritage trail, where the grass still covers the foundations of a thousand year old monastery and the spirit of the first settlers.
The 1879 Great Flood was the turning point that reshaped the region's face forever. After the river destroyed nearly every house, architects from across Europe helped rebuild the towns into grand circular cities with wide boulevards and red brick palaces. This gave the region a unique modern look that blends the grit of the river people with the elegance of the late Renaissance style. The river was finally tamed behind massive earth walls that now serve as scenic paths for travelers.
Nature here remains a force of beauty, especially during the Tisza Blooming in early summer when millions of dragonflies rise from the water in a single day. This rare event has happened since prehistoric times and turns the river into a fluttering sea of gold. Between the spicy paprika fields and the steam of deep thermal baths, the region is a place of heat and light. The history here is a story of a people who learned to dance with a river that never sleeps.