Báta: Church Art and Folk Art

When choosing a destination for your hotel stay, Báta offers several distinct cultural themes: the Neo-Romanesque Szent Vér Basilica, the Somosi Chapel, sacred art in the Szent Mihály Church and the Bátai Tájház. Building history, religious use, rural architecture and crafts offer different perspectives on the town. You can weigh up which of these themes will shape your trip by considering the differences below.

Church architecture and sacred art

The Neo-Romanesque Szent Vér Basilica in Báta was built to plans by Lechner Lóránt and consecrated in 1939 by Ferenc Virág, Bishop of Pécs. Its 37-metre-high tower has a balcony running around it at bell level, lined with columns. The Baroque folk altar in the Szent Mihály Church offers a different accent: it features a rare relief of Saint Michael, carved from pear wood and of art-historical significance.

The Magyarok Nagyasszonya Chapel, also known as the Somosi Chapel, was built between 1900 and 1904 at the entrance to Báta, with donations from the faithful. The dates refer to different milestones: 1939 is the year the basilica was consecrated, while 1900 to 1904 marks the chapel’s construction. Masses and rosary prayers are occasionally held at the Somosi Chapel. If you would like to attend a service, check the schedule in advance.

The Bátai Tájház: House Style and Crafts

The Bátai Tájház preserves architectural features typical of Báta. It is a so-called “long house” with a ridge running parallel to the eaves and a gabled roof; the courtyard contains the outbuildings needed for a rural household. The house offers a distinct way to explore local history: alongside the objects on display, its architectural form conveys a picture of rural architecture.

The permanent exhibition “From Folk Art to Folk Applied Art” presents applied artworks that grew out of folk art. They include woven pieces, embroidered tablecloths, beaded collars and carved objects from the second half of the 20th century. Activities at the Bátai Tájház also give you the opportunity to learn about the wax-resist technique for Easter eggs, weaving, linen embroidery and lace-making. The exhibition and activities have different focuses: one presents works from a particular period, while the other centers on the named crafts. If a particular activity is important to your plans, check in advance when it is offered.

Tolna as a wider travel destination

At the level of the wider destination of Tolna, additional themes come into view. The Pacsmag Lakes are an important Hungarian habitat for the strictly protected Ferruginous Duck. In Szekszárd, the Babits Mihály Memorial House is housed in the more than 200-year-old Kelemen House and serves as a literary memorial site. Also in Szekszárd, the Wosinsky Mór Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Mondays; opening hours may vary on public holidays. The Pipo Castle was built by Filippo Scolari, who came from Florence. Alongside Báta’s cultural themes, the wider destination of Tolna therefore offers a choice of further nature, literary and architectural-history themes.

Discover more destinations: Szedres, Zomba, Szálka, Öcsény, Tolna, Alsónána, Decs, Bátaszék.

View the wider travel guide: Szekszárd.