The first and largest national park of Hungary was established here in Hortobágy (Hortobágy National Park - 1973) that became a part of World Heritage in the category "cultural areas” as an outstanding example of harmonic coexistence of man and the nature in 1999.
The largest puszta of Hungary and Central Europe extends here. It has favourable natural conditions and as a result, grazing animal husbandry developed and remained here that is unique even today. The thousand year old grazing traditions also reinforce that fact that based on the nature this land "is intended for animal-breeding and shepherding”.
Along the salt or postal route from Nagyvárad to Pest-Buda the "csárda” (inns) providing relaxation for carriages and visitors were situated at 12 and 14 km distance from each other. You can find them between Debrecen and Tiszafüred even today: Látóképi-, Kadarcsi-, Hortobágy, Meggyes, Kaparó and Patkós Csárda. Among them, Nagyhortobágy Csárda (Nagyhortobágy Inn) is the oldest and most famous that was built in 1699. In Hungary, the word "csárda” is a notion in Hungary. Staying here, Sándor Petőfi wrote a popular poem entitled "The innkeeper’s wife in Hortobágy” in 1842. That was the place where Zsigmond Móricz put down one of his works entitled "The spring pervading the air in Hortobágy”. Several politicians, scientists and artists visited the old inn among others Prince Rákóczi, Berzsenyi, Ecsedi, Feszty, Gárdonyi, Hermann, Kazinczy, Káplár, Kölcsey, Csokonai, Vörösmarty, Széchenyi, Arany, Móricz, Jókai, Veres, Liszt, Bartók, Kodály, Zoltay, Győrffy.
Foreign visitors recall it as "Fata Morgana”. In general it is a phenomenon that can be observed on hot summer days of immense plain areas. Sometimes it can be seen in sparkling winter sunshine. It is a refraction phenomenon on the edge of the surface of stratified stratums of air of different thickness and temperature. During this optical illusion the trees, sweep-pool wells and buildings standing on the surface lift and become several-storied or touch the horizon foremost.
It is the longest main road stone bridge in Hungary that crosses the River Hortobágy on nine relieving arches. It was built based on Ferenc Povolny’s plans between 1827-1833. The bridge structure is 92 m and the total length is 167 m. The fattened grey oxen were sold to rich cattle dealers called “tőzsér” at the foot of the bridge. As a result, Bridge Fair was established. The cattle dealers drove the huge herds of cattle towards Western Europe so that they were sold on Austrian, Italian or German slaughter-houses in a few months. Naturally at the fair not only the cattle changed hands but also articles required for the shepherds such as boots, whips, hats, waistcoats, knives, stew-pots, iron spoons, embroidered peasant cloaks, fur-coats, carts, cattle bells, bells, metal buttons, sets of harness, shepherd’s crooks etc were sold. Today cattle cannot be bought here but the tradition of fairs in the puszta has been preserved. The Nine-Arch Bridge is not only the eponym of the fair but it is its emblem as well.
Hortobágy is an unrivalled scene of the traditions of the Hungarian animal husbandry. There are 400 horses, 10.000 cattle and 70.000 sheep on this 60000 hectare grazing lands. Shepherds live from spring to the setting in of winter with their animals - “until the cattle carry snow on their back”. There are 200 shepherds who still take this hard way of life trying men in the area of Hortobágy. The hierarchic structure of horse-herds, cattle-herds, shepherds, and swineherds dealing with various species of animals constitutes the herdsmen’s order. Their position in the herdsmen’s society is reflected in their costumes. Their particular way of life appears in the shepherds’ art, festivals, songs, tales and legends. The Hungarian Great Plain (Alföld) and Hortobágy are not accidentally called shepherds’ “fairyland”.
The development of the Hungarian grey oxen is connected with the Carpathian Basin. These extremely tough, stately animals heavy in build produced the most considerable revenues in the historic Hungary for centuries. Nearly two hundred thousands cattle were driven to the German, Austrian and Italian markets a year passing the grazing lands and keeping them in good condition. The valuable animals were guarded by battle-hardened cattlemen called Hajdú people for their safe arrival. After World War II the grey oxen were threatened by extinction. Stockbreeders of Hortobágy with sense of vocation gathered the remaining animals from every part of the country and they started to save the species here. Our excellent species of animal could be preserved. Today there are 800 grey cows raising their calves in the basic breeding in Hortobágy. The animals in 12 herds are considered as the important attractions of the national park.
In Hungary, the controlled eco-farming covers a 120 000 hectare area and nearly 10000 animals. In the national park and its surroundings this kind of farming harmonizing with natural protection covers 40 000 hectares and in total 3 000 grey oxen, buffaloes, “racka” sheep and “mangalica” pigs. The vegetables and kinds of meat produced without applying artificial fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, yield-increasing products and hormone products preserve the traditional flavours of Hortobágy and they are guaranteed healthy food. Visitors can try the products of this eco-region - spirits, wines, fruit and vegetables juices, cheese, bakery products, jams, honey, food and salami made of grey oxen, buffaloes, racka sheep and mangalica pig, as well as fish etc. in the Hortobágy Inn.
Hortobágyi Halgazdaság Zrt. (Hortobágy Fish Farm Co.) is one of the largest and most important fish-breeding corporations in Hungary. Its nearly 6000 ha fish-ponds is natural conservation area and it is a part of Hortobágy World Heritage. It has unrivalled natural products. Based on the maintaining the natural environment, the Fish Farm developed and applies a unique Hortobágy Natural Fish Breeding Technology. As a result, it is one of the biggest natural fish breeding farms. It provides the chains of stores with living and processed fish products throughout the country. In addition, a lot of anglers’ associations take fish from here to introduce them in their ponds.
The fish- ponds in Hortobágy is a hatching, migrating and rest area of European importance for birds. There are over 300 species of birds that can be observed on the ponds. Obviously the migration of cranes is one of the most spectacular sights. At the same time, the Plains of Hortobágy, the fish-ponds and the surrounding woods are preferred by birds of prey in winter.
The 120 m tall crane heavy in build is an impressive bird. It hatches in the swampy areas in Northern Europe. Cranes migrate in big flocks every autumn and spring to the continent. While migrating they have a longer rest in some spots. In these gathering places ten thousands of birds can flock together. In October 2007 over 100 000 cranes had a rest in Hortobágy so Hortobágy National Park became the biggest gathering spot for cranes in Europe.Migration of cranes is one of the most spectacular and remarkable natural events in Hortobágy. In the daytime the migrating cranes feed on the fields surrounding the national park. They gather in the puszta late in the afternoon and they fly in big flocks towards Hortobágy Fish Ponds at sunset where they spend the night. The sight of the flocks of cranes filling the sky gives an unforgettable experience to every visitor.
The battle known in history as the tank battle in Debrecen or Hortobágy took place near the village of Folyás on 9 October 1944. This village is situated at the edge of Hortobágy area near the town of Polgár. There is a tank in memory of the battle that ended with the victory of the Soviet army.
