Hortobágy (F3) one of the largest grass plains in Europe, the Hortobágy has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It is a land of infinite horizons, with nothing to obscure the lines of sight. But that is not to say that it is monotonous, for its variety lies in the detail. There are its unique flora and fauna, and its characteristic sweep wells that soar up towards the sky and that in olden times were used by the nomadic herdsmen. There is the vernacular architecture, most distinctively captured in the wayside inns – “csárda” – which stand away from the towns and villages along the roads that criss-cross the Plain.
Nowadays these inns are favourite stopping places for visitors, who enjoy the tasty food and full-bodied drinks characteristic of the region. One of the most famous inn is the three-hundred-year-old Hortobágy-csárda, built on the original salt routes linking Transylvania with Buda. A Pastoral Museum has been created in its former coach house, and nearby is one of the most famous landmarks in Hungary, the 170-year old Nine-Arched Bridge – at 167 metres, the longest stone road bridge in Hungary. There are examples of ancient Hungarian breeds to be seen out in the paddocks of the Puszta Animal Park, including Hungarian grey cattle and buffalo, “racka” sheep, and “parlagi” goats. The famed Hortobágy stud farm is a mile away at Máta (F3), where visitors are regularly entertained by the bravura displays of horsemanship by the herdsmen – the “csikós” – dressed in their traditional garb of blue linen shirt, baggy trousers and black hat.
The larger part of the 300 square miles of the Hortobágy National Park is made up of alkaline pasture (or steppe), but there are also areas of marshland and bog, and fishing-lakes. 342 species of bird have been sighted and recorded, and of these 152 nest in the National Park. Autumn evenings present the spectacular sight of flocks of thousands of cranes flying off in formation for their winter migration.

Jászberény (D3) the Jász part of the name Jászberény is of Persian origin, as Jazygian groups from Persia settled in the area in the thirteenth century. Today it is the main town of the area, and is also popular for its thermal baths. The Jász Museum was established over 125 years ago, and has an interesting collection relating to the history, the costume and the tools of the Jazygian people. It also houses a several-hundred-year old ivory horn, which belonged, according to an ancient Hungarian legend, to Lehel, one of the original conquering tribesmen.

Debrecen (G3) Hungary’s second city, although twice in its history it has also served as the capital. It is sometimes called the “Calvinist Rome”, because in the sixteenth century the population embraced Calvinist Protestantism and it became the principal centre of the Reformed Church in Hungary. The chief monuments are the nineteenth century Great Church and the Reformed College, the latter housing Hungary’s greatest ecclesiastical library, containing half a million books. The Déri Museum exhibits the colossal Christ Trilogy by the late nineteenth century Hungarian painter Mihály Munkácsy. The Town Hall is one of the finest examples of Classical architecture in Hungary. The Great Park, to the north of the city centre, is a favourite place for relaxation and enjoyment, offering a zoo, botanical garden, and thermal baths where forty different types of high-quality treatment based on the medicinal properties of the thermal waters are available. Nearby is a new Mediterranean-style leisure centre – Aquaticum – complete with cave baths, Jacuzzis and palm trees. Nyíracsád (G3), not far from Debrecen, is the site of a Calvinist Church preserved almost completely in its original mediaval condition, with Gothic elements.

Hajdúszoboszló (F–G3) the favourite holiday resort on the Great Plain. It is Hungary’s largest bathing centre and a Mecca for rheumatics. Its medicinal waters gush up at 75°C (167°F) from a source 1100 metres down inside the earth. They contain a cocktail of twenty different minerals in solution that are so effective in bringing about relief that thousands of people with medical problems (particularly dermatological and gynacological) return year in year out for a two or three week course of treatment. Even inhaling the saline iodic steam that rises from the large surface area of the pools has a beneficial effect. Hotels and apartments have been built around the baths. The Aquapark has a giant 113-metre slide, another 4-track racing slide, and many other attractions that appeal to all age groups.

The appearance of Hajdúböszörmény (G3) ls much about its historical past. Known as the Capital of the Heyducks, one of its most interesting features is its unique layout in concentric circles. It contains the Museum of the Heyducks and an outdoor museum (or skansen) displaying the area’s indigenous architectural styles and motifs. The attractive neighbouring town of Hajdúnánás (G2)interest for its traditional and distinctive handicrafts, its straw and rush plaiting, and its well appointed spa centre.

Nádudvar (F3) For two hundred years Nádudvar has been home to a community of potters. This is where Alföld ceramics are made, their famous and distinctive black colouring being attributable to peculiarities of the firing process. Pottery products, which are unglazed, are typically decorated with geometric and floral designs.