Discover Battonya

Battonya offers a range of themes to explore during a stay: open landscapes, church architecture, the memory of a notable person born in Battonya, and Serbian pastries. The broader destination of Békés adds other nature and culture themes to these local connections, providing a distinct regional setting.

Landscape and local history in Battonya

The 33-hectare Gulyagyep grassland lies north of Battonya’s built-up area. Nearby, the Tompapusztai loess steppe meadow is located where Cigányka-ér meets Száraz-ér. The two landscape features are distinct: Gulyagyep is defined by its location and area, while the steppe is characterized by its landscape type and the meeting of the waterways.

Battonya’s church history encompasses construction projects undertaken by different communities at different times. The first Catholic church was built in 1810 with the approval of Emperor Franz Joseph and consecrated in 1814 by László Kőszegi, Bishop of Csanád. In 1868, the Romanian Orthodox community decided to build its own church. Construction began in 1869 and was completed in 1872. These different dates give each historical milestone its own timeframe.

A biographical perspective is added by Molnár C. Pál, who was born in Battonya. In 1984, a memorial house with a permanent exhibition opened there, featuring works from his estate. Alongside the church histories, it is a place of remembrance connected to a person born in Battonya.

Serbian pastry tradition

The Serbian pastry Csesznyica is listed in Battonya’s local values register under tourism and hospitality. At a local heritage camp in Battonya, participants baked Csesznyica together using its traditional recipe; a lucky coin was also placed inside. For travelers interested in regional food culture, the pastry offers a tangible cultural connection.

Békés as a broader setting

In the broader destination of Békés, the Körösvölgyi Animal Park in Szarvas offers another perspective on nature. The park is set in a 26-hectare grove. A walking trail about two kilometers long passes bird aviaries, animal houses, wetlands, and spacious enclosures. The different areas make the walk well suited to observing animals and nature.

The Jégmadár Water Nature Trail starts at the park’s jetty. It follows an approximately one-kilometer stretch of the Szarvas–Békésszentandrás oxbow lake. Eight floating buoy stations introduce visitors to the oxbow lake and its flora and fauna. The trail is accessible only by canoe or boat and is primarily intended for canoeists and rowboat users without an expert guide. A key difference to consider when planning is that, unlike the walking trail in the Animal Park, this route requires a watercraft.

At the Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre in Réhely, near Dévaványa, visitors can see great bustards up close—the only place in Hungary where they can do so. Guided tours, birdwatching, nature photography, themed programs, and astronomical presentations are available on request. The Réhely Trail starts and ends at the visitor center. The Mágor-puszta Trail is just over 500 meters long and showcases the natural and cultural-historical values of the protected area.

Consider whether Battonya’s landscapes and local history are the main focus of your stay, or whether the wider regional setting matters to you as well.

Discover more destinations: Nagybánhegyes, Mezőkovácsháza.

Go to the broader travel overview: Mezőkovácsházai.