Opusztaszer

The settlement is known today for a memorial exhibition on Hungarian history. The Memorial Park of National History is dedicated to the remembrance of home-founding Magyars. A particular attraction is the 1,800 square metre cyclorama by Árpád Feszty and companions, depicting 'The Arrival of Hungarians'.

A former puszta settlement is the site for this memorial. First the Chieftain Árpád memorial column was erected here and in 1936 the Pusztaszer Árpád Association agreed with the landlord, Marquis Alphonse Charles Pallavicini, on a 99-year lease extending to a territory of 16.8 hectares around the column in exchange for a couple of doves and a silver coin for each 'hold' (0.57 hectare). The association planned to establish a memorial site here, in what was named National Árpád Grove. This intention was thwarted by World War II, following which the association was disbanded.

From the early 1970's, plans for the Ópusztaszer Memorial Park of National History were put forward and developed. By the time restoration of the Feszty cyclorama painting was concluded in 1995, the memorial park had developed into one of the country's most popular exhibitions.

The most famous sight at Ópusztaszer is the circular panoramic painting covering some 1,800 square metres. Entitled 'The Arrival of Hungarians'. This cyclorama was created in 1892-4 as a memorial to the Hungarian Settlement. After numerous difficulties the painting finally became part of the Memorial Park of National History. The building constructed to house this giant painting also holds several smaller exhibitions.

The architectural features of the memorial park evoke the way of life of the settling ancestors of today's Hungarians. Several exhibition structures modelled after the yurts typical of the semi-nomadic Magyars were planned by György Csete and Jenő Dulánszky. The furnishings were inspired by the motifs of the metal work of the Settlement period.

The traditional village festival is held on the last Saturday of June. Called Hunniális, that feast day is devoted to the memory of settling Hungarians. Its 'ceremonies' include historic commemorations, literary features, arts programmes, as well as entertainment and sport events. Another annually held series of events starts on the feast of the Assumption of Mary (15th August), continues on St Stephen's Day (20th August), and closes next to the Árpád Memorial on the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin (8th September).

How to get there:
By car, take Route 5 to Kistelek from where it is a further 7 kilometres.