Matty can be discovered through two distinct experiences: the Kormorános-erdő trail in the Drava landscape and the Reformed Church with its painted interior. The nature trail draws attention to former river branches and a cormorant colony; the church combines a specific building history with preserved floral panels. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between nature watching and local history.
Nature at Kormorános-erdő
The Kormorános-erdő trail is a general nature trail in the Drava Valley of Matty. It follows former side channels of the Drava to a riverbank from which visitors can see a cormorant colony. The birds’ visibility varies by season. If seeing the cormorants is an important reason for your visit, take this changing visibility into account when planning.
You can reach the starting point by car, bicycle, or on foot. Accessibility may change due to road or land management, so check the approach and trail conditions before your visit. The Mattyi Kormorános-erdő Nature Reserve protects a near-natural forest in the Drava floodplain for its valuable flora, fauna, and landscape. The protected area covers 32.6 hectares and has a heightened level of protection.
Reformed Church: History and Paintings
Matty’s Reformed Church was built in 1784 and rebuilt in 1878. It is a painted church, with some floral panels preserved. If you would like to see the paintings inside, check public access in advance. This also means the two local attractions require different planning: travel options to the trail’s starting point are specified, while access to the church interior must be confirmed separately.
More to explore in the wider destination of Baranya
Expanding your view to the wider destination of Baranya, Pécs offers both archaeology and design history. The Early Christian Necropolis of Sopianae comprises decorated tombs from the 4th century: underground burial chambers, above-ground memorial chapels, and richly decorated Christian wall paintings. The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter features the “Golden Age of Zsolnay” and “Pink Exhibition” exhibitions, as well as an exhibition on the family and factory history. For children, there are outdoor playgrounds, an interactive lab, a planetarium, the Bóbita Puppet Theatre, a ceramics painting workshop, and courses at the Hercules Workshop. The freely accessible outdoor area of the quarter can be visited free of charge during opening hours; check current opening hours before your visit.
The Ős-Dráva Visitor Centre near Szaporca offers another perspective on nature and the landscape. It features an interactive exhibition, a demonstration farming area with hands-on farming activities, and three themed trails. They provide information about traditional farming, the Ős-Dráva Programme, and wildlife along the Drava. The farming area showcases native Hungarian domestic animals, including Hungarian Grey cattle, Mangalica pigs, Hucul horses, and old breeds of sheep and poultry.
For architecture and military history, the wider destination of Baranya offers Siklós Castle, one of Hungary’s best-preserved military structures and one of its significant Renaissance buildings. Modernisation of the museum wing also opened up the Gothic section, which had previously been inaccessible to visitors. Villány offers a different focus: along its cellar row, you can go from cellar to cellar all year round to taste wines and delicious food.
Discover more destinations: Villány, Palkonya, Villánykövesd, Kisjakabfalva, Siklós, Gordisa, Magyarbóly, Harkány
Return to the wider travel overview: Siklósi.
