Ópusztaszer: Monastery History and Herbal Culture

For a stay in Ópusztaszer, the Ópusztaszeri Nemzeti Történeti Emlékpark is a clear thematic focus. The history of the monastery, the Árpád Monument commemorating the millennium, the Rotunda, the Feszty Panorama and the herbal offerings at the Szeri Gyógynövényház represent different aspects of a visit. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay: medieval history, the Feszty Panorama, or medicinal plants and their uses.

Monastery History and the Park’s Main Symbol

The monastery of the Bor-Kalán clan in Szer was built in the 12th century and was once the wealthiest and largest monastic institution on the Great Hungarian Plain. The church of the medieval monastery was excavated between 1970 and 1976; it is located beside the Árpád Monument. This monument commemorating the millennium is the main symbol of the Ópusztaszeri Nemzeti Történeti Emlékpark. Thus, the park brings together the history of a medieval monastic institution and a monument with a symbolic role for the park.

Rotunda and Feszty Panorama

Visitors can walk all the way around inside the Rotunda. The scenes in the Feszty Panorama are presented with explanatory texts and a beam of light. Tours of the Feszty Panorama depart every 30 minutes during opening hours; however, viewing is by appointment. These are two separate details to consider when planning: the departure interval describes the frequency of tour groups, while the appointment requirement determines the time of the viewing. Check the latest visitor information before your visit and schedule your appointment.

Herb Garden and Medicinal Plants

The Szeri Gyógynövényház was established in 2017 in the Ópusztaszeri Nemzeti Történeti Emlékpark, together with an herb garden, a workshop and a processing area. Visitors can take part in the herbal activities “Szeri Praktika” and “Ízek, teák, levelek.” Check the current availability of these activities before your trip.

In the workshop, participants learn about different uses and the cultivation of medicinal plants through group work and individual research. The herb garden reflects various historical periods and is partly based on plans by the Benedictine monks of St. Gallen. Processing and drying areas are used for the interactive processing and drying of plants grown in the garden. In this way, cultivation, use and processing offer different perspectives on medicinal plants.

When choosing a focus for your visit, you can distinguish between the following: the monastery and excavated church represent the park’s cultural and historical side, while the herb house brings together the garden, the cultivation of medicinal plants and their uses.

Regional Context: Csongrád

In the wider travel destination of Csongrád, the landscape of Csongrád-Csanád is shaped by the Tisza and its oxbow lakes, the Maros and Körös rivers, and numerous lakes and canals. The region is rich in thermal and medicinal waters. Special plant and animal species around salt lakes and in sandy forests and puszta areas are protected in nature reserves. The protected floodplain areas of the Tisza have also remained relatively untouched and are considered connected areas that can be traversed safely.

Discover more destinations: Baks, Pusztaszer, Balástya, Kistelek

Return to the wider travel overview: Kisteleki.