Water and reeds define the flat landscape of Jász–Nagykun–Szolnok. The Tisza Lake is a giant playground for nature lovers. You can paddle through narrow channels or birdwatch from a tower. It is a peaceful escape from the busy world. The reflection of the clouds on the water is perfectly still. You can find floating boardwalks that take you deep into the heart of the marsh.
Szolnok sits right on the riverbank. The city is a gateway to the plains and the water. You will find art colonies and thermal pools here. It is a place where people know how to enjoy the day. The river breeze keeps the summer heat at bay in the city parks. Watch the local rowers glide past as you sip a cold drink by the water.
Explore the Jászság to learn about the ancient tribes. They brought a unique culture to this land. The small towns have a charm that feels very local. It is a region for those who love the water. You will find hidden fishing spots and quiet campsites everywhere. The wide open roads make this the perfect place for a relaxed afternoon drive.
Jász–Nagykun–Szolnok highlights
- Lake Tisza Eco Park Walk on miles of wooden paths over the water to see rare birds and secret islands in the reeds. It is a wild world that feels like a jungle in the middle of the plains.
- Szolnok Aviation Museum See a giant park full of old iron birds and silver planes from the history of flight in the land. You can get close to the giant machines and see their wings.
- Karcag Windmill Stop at a tall brick tower that still has its giant wooden sails standing against the wind of the Great Plain. It is a rare and beautiful sight on the straight road through the east.
- Túrkeve Thermal Spa Dive into the hot dark water that comes from the deep earth and is famous for its healing power. The park is quiet and full of green grass and old trees.
- Jászberény Zoo Visit a small and friendly park where you can see animals and learn about the ancient tribe that once lived here. The town is the home of a famous golden horn from the old times.
- Tiszafüred Pottery Explore the workshops of artists who make red and white jars with patterns of birds and flowers. The town sits on the edge of the lake and is full of local art.
- Nagykörű Cherry Orchard Drive through the biggest cherry forest in the land which turns into a sea of white flowers every spring. The fruit is famous for its sweet taste and deep red color.
- Mezőtúr Pottery Museum See a collection of plates and jars that show how the people of the river banks have made art from mud for centuries. The town has a slow and quiet feel.
- Martfű Shoe Factory Visit the town that was built around a giant shoe factory and see the modern park by the river. The area is green and has many pools for a summer swim.
- Tisza River Ferry Cross the wide blue water on a small wooden raft that is pulled by the current and a wire. It is a slow and fun way to move between the quiet farm towns.
The local Four
History of Jász–Nagykun–Szolnok
Jász–Nagykun–Szolnok is the Land of the Eastern Tribes, a cultural island in the middle of the Great Plain. In the 13th century, the King invited the Jász and Kun tribes from the east to settle here and defend the heart of the country. They brought their own Lehel Horn (a legendary golden ivory horn) and kept their own laws for hundreds of years. This tribal pride is the focus of the Great Plain river route, where every town name still echoes with the sounds of the ancient steppe.
The river Tisza dictated the rhythm of life here, creating a landscape of water people who lived in huts on the banks and moved with the floods. In the middle ages, the region was a center for master salt traders who used the river to move the white gold from the mountains to the sea. The towns were built on high points to survive the seasonal sea that would cover the plains, creating a world where boats were as common as wagons.
The mid 1900s brought a massive engineering feat with the creation of a giant man made lake to control the river flow. This Tisza Lake accidentally created a wild jungle of reeds and secret islands that has become a paradise for rare birds and nature lovers. Today, you can drive through miles of golden wheat and then explore a water world that feels like the Amazon.