Szabadkígyós combines Wenckheim heritage with a specific cycling connection to the Diadalív. The castle and its associated park are within the Körös-Maros National Park; a family crypt, the history of a post office and interactive rotary-dial telephones also give the town a distinct cultural character. Cultural history and cycling thus offer two different starting points for planning a trip. Those who want to broaden their horizons will find further nature and cultural themes in the wider destination of Békés.
Wenckheim Heritage and Local History
Wenckheim Castle and its associated castle park are within the Körös-Maros National Park. The Wenckheim Crypt served as the family’s burial place. Another trace of local history leads to the estate in Szabadkígyós: a post office operated there for 90 years. Together, these places offer different ways to explore the town’s history, from family remembrance to everyday life in the past.
The Postaház adds an interactive touch: visitors can talk to one another using working rotary-dial telephones in its various rooms. In the cellar of the Intézői Lak, temporary exhibitions feature amateur artists who live in Szabadkígyós. If you are planning to visit a particular exhibition, check in advance what is currently on display. Alongside historic sites, local art and an opportunity to take part appeal to different interests.
Cycling to the Diadalív
A new, 220-metre section of cycle path extends the existing route. This makes it possible to cycle to the Diadalív, with the arch serving as a clearly identified destination along the route. Check current path conditions before setting off. Another cycling connection is the Wenckheim Cycle Route, which links the family’s architectural heritage: it passes the castles in Szabadkígyós, Póstelek and Gerla and also takes in the built heritage of the Doboz branch of the Wenckheim family. The route thus connects the named places within a broader context of Wenckheim heritage.
More Experiences in the Wider Destination of Békés
The Körösvölgyi Animal Park in Szarvas features a 26-hectare grove with a walking trail about two kilometres long. Along the trail are bird aviaries, animal houses, wetlands and spacious enclosures. The Jégmadár Water Nature Trail starts at the park’s jetty and runs along an approximately one-kilometre stretch of the Szarvas–Békésszentandrás oxbow lake. Eight floating buoy stations introduce visitors to the oxbow lake and its animal and plant life. The trail is particularly suitable for canoeists and rowboat users without an expert guide, and is accessible only by canoe or boat.
Access is also clearly defined at the Sterbetz István Bustard Conservation Visitor Centre in Réhely, near Dévaványa: this is the only place in Hungary where visitors can see great bustards at close range. Guided tours, birdwatching, nature photography, themed programmes and astronomical demonstrations are available on request. Unlike the Jégmadár Trail, where a watercraft is required, planning a visit here depends on making a request and choosing a programme.
For seasonal trip planning, Bihari Táj Nap is another specific point of reference. The event takes place every year on the third weekend of May. Visitors can see wild orchids in the Ugrai Meadow, learn about the birdlife of the Biharugra Fishponds on a guided tour, and take part in other educational and cultural activities.
Discover more destinations: Újkígyós, Békéscsaba.
View the wider travel overview: Békéscsabai.
