Just an hour’s drive from Budapest, near Tatabánya on the slopes of the Gerecse Hills, a new community space welcomes visitors. Located next to the Turul Monument, the Gerecse Gateway Visitor Centre offers a wealth of experiences in a picturesque natural setting, with a particularly wide range of opportunities for active recreation.
This EU-funded development is highly significant for tourism in Tatabánya. It makes the most of the city’s location and natural surroundings, including the beauty of the Gerecse and Vértes Hills, the proximity of the Danube, and the unique attractions of the Turul Monument and the Szelim Cave.
Built on Kő Hill, the visitor centre was aptly named the Gerecse Gateway. The building blends harmoniously into the landscape, with timber cladding and large windows offering panoramic views from the café and restaurant. Covering 500 square metres, the centre includes an exhibition space, restaurant, gift shop, gallery, equipment rental service, parking facilities and accessible restrooms.
In addition to making the area around the Turul Monument and the Szelim Cave more visitor-friendly, new nature trails and a playground were also created. Outdoor fitness equipment is available for those wishing to exercise, while fire pits and picnic areas provide ideal places for families and groups of friends to relax together.
One of the project’s special features is the addition of spectacular via ferrata routes, which have been available for several years and cater to adventurers of different experience levels. The necessary equipment can now be rented on site, allowing visitors without their own gear to try this exciting activity safely.
The visitor centre is open throughout the year, helping to encourage hiking and outdoor activities during the winter months as well. After a cold walk in the forest, visitors can warm up and recharge in the welcoming interior over a meal or a hot drink. The exhibition space also provides an opportunity to learn more about the natural and cultural heritage of the Gerecse region.
The development has contributed to the local economy while also expanding the range of tourist attractions available in Tatabánya and the surrounding area. Nearby destinations such as Tata, Vértesszőlős and Várgesztes also offer numerous opportunities for sightseeing, hiking and organised professional programmes.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project TOP-6.1.4-15-TB1-2016-00001 under the Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
