Nagyharsány: Sculpture Park, Szársomlyó and Festival

Art at the Nagyharsányi Szoborpark

The history of the Nagyharsányi Szoborpark dates back to 1967. That was when the idea arose to establish an artists’ colony in the former quarry on Szársomlyó. The park’s origins are therefore closely linked to an artistic undertaking that continues to shape the town today.

A programme lasting around an hour and a half at the Szoborpark begins in the reception building with a short talk about art. A guided walk then takes visitors to notable works from different periods. Advance arrangements are required to take part. Another way to explore the area is the Kikerics Panorama Trail, which opened in 2020: it runs through the sculpture park and highlights the natural and cultural values of Szársomlyó.

Tours of Szársomlyó and cycling

The Duna–Dráva National Park Directorate currently offers guaranteed, expert-led tours for individuals and groups five times a week throughout the year. They run from the Nagyharsányi Szoborpark to the summit of Szársomlyó. Confirm the practical arrangements with the provider before your trip. This lets you plan the art programme and guided tour as separate activities: one is a walk among works in the park, while the other leads from the park to the summit.

Nagyharsány is also on the Háromfolyó cycling route. If cycling is part of your travel plans, check a current route map before setting off. The route is another factor to consider when choosing the town, alongside the art programme and guided tour.

Plan around festival dates

Nagyharsány has been one of the venues for the Ördögkatlan Festival since its beginnings. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the current event dates and programme; both vary. This helps you align your planned stay with the actual dates, rather than assuming that the festival and your travel dates will automatically coincide.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide whether the Szoborpark, the summit tour, the cycling route or a festival date is your priority. For activities at the park, confirm participation and practical arrangements with the provider in advance.

More topics in the wider destination of Baranya

The wider destination of Baranya also offers a range of cultural and nature-related interests. In Pécs, the Early Christian Necropolis of Sopianae includes decorated tombs from the 4th century: underground burial chambers with above-ground memorial chapels and richly decorated Christian wall paintings. The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter offers a different focus. Its exhibitions include “Golden Age of Zsolnay”, “Pink Exhibition” and an exhibition on the family and factory history. For children, there are outdoor playgrounds, an interactive lab, a planetarium, the Bóbita Puppet Theatre, a ceramic painting workshop and classes at the Hercules Workshop. The freely accessible outdoor area can be entered and used free of charge during opening hours; check the current opening hours before visiting.

Near Szaporca, the Ős-Dráva Visitor Centre presents further topics: its interactive exhibition, agricultural demonstration area and three educational trails cover traditional farming, the Ős-Dráva Programme and wildlife along the Drava. The agricultural area features native Hungarian livestock, including Hungarian Grey cattle, Mangalica pigs, Hucul horses, and old breeds of sheep and poultry. This means that, alongside cultural attractions, Baranya also offers farming and wildlife as distinct areas of interest.

For architecture and history, Siklós Castle is another destination in the wider Baranya region. It is one of Hungary’s best-preserved military complexes and one of the country’s most significant Renaissance buildings. Modernisation of the museum wing opened the previously inaccessible Gothic section to visitors. In Villány’s cellar row, meanwhile, you can go from cellar to cellar throughout the year to sample wines and food. When choosing the focus of your trip, you can compare Nagyharsány’s sculpture park and tours with the other regional attractions of Pécs, Szaporca, Siklós and Villány.

Discover more destinations: Magyarbóly, Matty, Villánykövesd, Harkány, Rádfalva, Beremend, Villány, Nagytótfalu.

For the wider travel overview: Siklósi.