Újfehértó: Salt Landscape and City History
Accommodation in Újfehértó
The white lakebed of Szikes Sóstó, birdwatching and historic landmarks in the centre give Újfehértó a distinctive character. The town lies between Debrecen and Nyíregyháza, on the edge of Nyírség towards Hajdúság and in the southwest of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. Nature and local history offer a range of ways to plan a holiday here.
File:Újfehértó, városháza 2021 01.jpg
Photo: Pasztilla aka Attila Terbócs via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Salt Landscape and Birdlife
Szikes Sóstó is a nature reserve of national importance. In dry weather, its white lakebed regularly comes into view—a changing landscape that also explains the name Újfehértó. Numerous protected plant and animal species are found in the town’s salt-rich areas. Many bird species nest or stop there to rest.
An unusual habitat can be found on a loess wall dating back to the Ice Age: protected sand martins nest in its upper layer. Vadas-tó is another place of interest. Its size and varied surroundings make it a suitable destination for an outing; it lies on an international bird migration route and is also a popular birdwatching spot. Nature enthusiasts can therefore explore both the salt-rich areas and the surroundings of the lake.
Churches, Museum and City History
Public statues and monuments, along with the centuries-old chestnut tree avenue on Főtér, invite visitors to take a walk through the city centre and explore its local history. A church stands right beside the square. It was built between 1803 and 1814 and was initially consecrated in 1812 in honour of All Saints. Today, it is dedicated to Our Lady of Hungary. Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II, visited the church in the late 1970s; a stained-glass window commemorates him.
Three sarcophagus-shaped tombstones from the 17th century in the churchyard of the Reformed Church offer another glimpse of the past. Their inscriptions are illegible; an asymmetrical floral engraving can be seen on one of the stones. The Városi Múzeum opened in 1995 in a manor house dating from the second half of the 19th century. The house once belonged to the Grünberger family and has a vaulted colonnade. Alongside temporary exhibitions, the museum mainly displays material relating to local history. Statues in front of the museum commemorate Nyúzó Mihály, Rákóczi Pál, Szoboszlai Pap István and Zajti Ferenc, figures with ties to the town.
The Csörsz-árok, which runs through Újfehértó and is also called Ördög-árok, is another reminder of the past. Its origins are disputed; most evidence points to a late Roman date. The former cemetery on Kossuth út is home to the grave of Silbermann Ferenc. It remains a place of pilgrimage, although the cemetery itself is not open to visitors.
Exploring the Region
Beyond Újfehértó, the wider destination of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg offers further cultural and historical points of interest. The Vay-Ádám Museum Collection of the Hungarian National Museum is housed in the Renaissance Vay Castle in Vaja. Báthori Castle in Nyírbátor houses a permanent exhibition and a diorama featuring members of the Báthori family in a period setting. These places are independent examples of the history of the wider region.
When looking for a holiday rental in Újfehértó, consider what you would like to focus on during your stay: birdwatching and nature in the salt-rich areas and at Vadas-tó, or church architecture, the museum and local history in the centre. Choose according to the experiences that interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Nagykálló, Kállósemjén.
View the wider travel guide: Nagykállói.
