The unique natural and cultural heritage of Hortobágy has long been a proud member of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Yet for a long time, it was less present in mainstream tourism – partly due to the lack of visitor infrastructure. This changed with a complex development project worth nearly 3 billion forints, implemented with the support of the European Union, which made the site not only more attractive but also more experiential and sustainable.
As part of the investment, the center of the village of Hortobágy was completely renewed. The Vásártér, the venue of the famous Hídi Fair and other events, received new paving, and aesthetically pleasing vendor stalls, harmoniously integrated into the landscape, were built to accommodate traders. In addition to utility developments, a spacious parking lot was constructed to accommodate the increasing number of visitors each year. On the site of the old Körszín, a modern information pavilion befitting the World Heritage site was built, housing a gallery, gift shop, and ticket office.
The developments placed special emphasis on the presentation and preservation of cultural heritage. The building of the Shepherd’s Museum – the former cart shed – underwent careful historic restoration, and its exhibition was renewed both in content and form.
An interactive “table of contents” created at the Visitor Centre now provides a modern, comprehensive presentation of the World Heritage values. A new café was also added to the building, and the center, along with its surroundings, was harmoniously integrated into the renewed village center.
The environment around the Hortobágy River was cleaned and landscaped, while a riverside promenade was built, further enhancing the experience of nature. In addition, the exterior façade of the Nine-Hole Bridge was restored, and the Waterside Stage was modernized. The overall atmosphere was further enhanced by the presence of live animals in the central area, bringing back the original character of Hortobágy.
Beyond the central interventions, attention was also given to the surrounding World Heritage sites. Several facilities of the Máta Stud Farm were upgraded to accommodate increased visitor traffic and support year-round operations. The replacement of carts used in the Puszta programs, as well as accessibility improvements, now make traditional Hortobágy experiences available to a broader audience.
At the Puszta Animal Park, a new buffalo viewing pond and an interactive educational trail were added, while existing animal exhibit buildings were renovated, expanding the program offerings and reinforcing the nature-focused visitor experience.
The project redefined the visitor experience not only in content but also in form. Environmentally friendly, uniformly branded transport vehicles now facilitate travel between locations, and unique outdoor furnishings have appeared in communal areas. An integrated ticketing system was developed, along with thematic program packages that allow visitors to explore Hortobágy in combination with nearby tourist destinations.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project GINOP-7.1.9-17-2018-00024 under the Economic Development and Innovation Operational Programme Plus.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
