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Travel experiences
By the Danube at Rackeve
In the past, the landscape here was shaped by the Danube – and the river continues to shape it today. But it doesn’t only determine the panorama; it also affects the everyday lives and celebrations of the local inhabitants. When the people in this area refer to the Danube, they mean this 50km-long tract regulated by sluice gates to the north and south.
In the past, the landscape here was shaped by the Danube – and the river continues to shape it today. But it doesn’t only determine the panorama; it also affects the everyday lives and celebrations of the local inhabitants. When the people in this area refer to the Danube, they mean this 50km-long tract regulated by sluice gates to the north and south. These are the Soroksar or Rackeve Danube branches, with Csepel Island on its western (right-hand) shore and Kiskunsag on its eastern (left-hand) shore. In addition to the ferries, these days bridges also connect the island with the “main land” – the bridges in Budapest, the bridges of the M0 motorway, and those of Taksony and Rackeve. The island’s settlements can be easily reached from Budapest on the HEV train that travels as far as Rackeve, while the settlements on the shore are served by the HEV, the railway and public roads. The waters are rich in fish and the reeds harbour rare waterfowl; the branches of the river are also thick with water plants. The area is ideal for bikers. You can take pretty and safe cycling tours along the island’s dikes and bike paths. Because of the sluices, the Rackeve-Danube is practically a still water and as such it is much loved by anglers and paddlers, as well as tens of thousands of bathers drawn to its warm water during the summer.Csepel Island is 247 square kilometres – in the Middle Ages it was called “Magna Insula” (Big Island) – and has always played an important role in Hungarian history. In the period of the conquests, it became the main base for the princes. The island was named after Csepel bailiff, equerry of Prince Arpad, who is believed to have settled here. In later centuries it was a queenly estate.The most interesting settlement in the area is Rackeve. It was founded in the 15th century by Serbs fleeing the Turks, and developed into a flourishing town. Its most important monument is the late-Gothic Church of the Blessed Virgin (Boldogasszony templom), built in 1487. This is the only Byzantine-style medieval Serb Orthodox church whose walls are decorated with pictures. The town’s early Baroque castle was constructed for Jeno Savoyai – the prince who defeated the Turks between 1702 and 1718 – by the famous Austrian architect, Johann Lucas Hildebrandt. The building is used for events and conferences today. According to the legend, it was Arpad’s tribe who settled in this area during the period of the conquests; this legend is reflected in the Arpad Statue, and the name of the conquering prince was borrowed for the museum and for the century-old bridge. A legendary citizen of the town was Janos Nepomuki Horvath, who inspired Sandor Petofi ’s most famous literary hero: Janos Vitez (John the Valiant). His figure appears in the secco of the Roman Catholic church painted by Laszlo Pataky, and on the ornamental well in front of the school.On the way from the capital to Rackeve, it’s worth stopping at Halasztelek to admire the special shape of its Roman Catholic church – an important work of modern Hungarian organic architecture. The Danube shore at Szigethalom is picturesque, and makes an ideal fishing spot. The beautiful Tokol Forest is also within reach. Szigetcsep contains an 18th-century Serb Orthodox church whose interior structure includes rendered wooden-coved vaulting. Szigetszentmiklos is famous for a memorial house dedicated to the composer Jeno Adam, and for the Municipal Local History Collection. The Zither collection is also unique. Szigetbecse lies south of Rackeve; its most famous sight is the Andre Kertesz Memorial House where you can see 120 photos and some personal objects belonging to the renowned photographer who lived in the United States.East of the Danube’s Soroksar tract, Dunaharaszti is located on the Great Plain side of the river. After the havoc wreaked by the Turks, this settlement was also rebuilt by German and Serb settlers. The village was entirely German for 200 years. Since the early 20th century, it has been a popular holiday resort for people living in Budapest. Guests may enjoy the Danube oxbow sports port and camping, as well as water skiing in the nearby mine lake. Waterbabies will doubtless be excited by the 200-acre lake area belonging to Delegyhaza, south of Dunavarsany. There are six lakes open to holiday makers – the beach at lake No 5 is given over to naturists.Kiskunlachaza and its surroundings is a true equestrian paradise where guests may try out superb horses at a covered riding school. The motocross track at the border of the locality attracts thousands of visitors during international races, but many also come for the Kiskun Cultural Days and the Pereg Fair. Domsod is associated with Sandor Petofi , who wrote some of his poems in the town while visiting his parents living there in the spring of 1846. There’s an exhibition in the thatched farmhouse that he rented for this period. Every year, the poet is remembered during the Domsod Days. The celebration features folk art programmes and a handicraft fair. Domsod Island is the territory between the oxbow of the Danube and the Rackeve-Danube branch. This is the Danube beach with the best water quality, and there are various options for lovers of water- and other sports.
Recalling the world of the Great Plain “puszta”, Apaj hosts an important event each year: the Kiskunsag Shepherd and Equestrian Days. During this festival, the old shepherd and herder traditions are revived. The village also offers a riding school, and is popular for hiking and cycling tours.
Source: Hungarian Tourism Plc