Adventures on land, on water and in the rose garden – or towards the gateway of Szigetköz, Mosonmagyaróvár!

Mosonmagyaróvár’s identity is in many ways defined by its restored castle, whose history dates back to Roman times. The castle is unique in that it is one of our castles that has never been demolished, so it can be vewed still in its near-original form. Its uniqueness is further enhanced by the fact that it is the only castle building in Hungary today where higher education is currently taking place and where the agricultural professionals of the future are being trained.

Students of the local faculty of Széchenyi István University participate in the events not only as students, but also as guides, presenting the life of the Alma Mater and the history of the castle. The building was listed as a historic monument in the 20th century, and in the decades that followed, numerous renovations, archaeological excavations and restoration work were carried out there. Between 2018 and 2021, the façade and exterior of the castle had been renovated and the inner courtyard had become an event space. There are also museum education programmes and the castle’s permanent exhibition, which gives an insight into the relationship between the castle and the city, as well as the past and present of the university. If you get thirsty, visit the Strauss Café inside the Old Castle, named after Johann Strauss, the author of the Blue Danube, where you can sip your favourite drink in a historic atmosphere.

The history of the Hansági Museum in Mosonmagyaróvár spans more than 130 years, during which time there have been continuous changes at institutional and organisational level. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the museum preserves the most complete cultural heritage of the city and the region, serving the identity and historical knowledge of its inhabitants. The institution’s activities take place in two distinctive buildings: the Museum of Moson County (Mosonvármegyei Múzeum), where local history is preserved, and the Cselley House, which usually hosts temporary exhibitions. The latter is the oldest surviving residential building in the city and was restored in the 1970’s during a monumental reconstruction, preserving its special historical and architectural significance for the region.  In addition to the “History of the Mosoni Plain” and the Gyurkovich collection, there is also the opportunity to focus on science – the FUTURA Experience Centre and Science Playhouse can be an excellent children’s programme to complete the wide range of educational activities.

In Mosonmagyaróvár, the gateway to Szigetköz, you can get to know the city from a new perspective thanks to the waters of the River Lajta. The source of the River Lajta rises in the north-eastern Alps and flows into the Mosoni Danube (Mosoni-Duna), so a water tour allows you to explore the medieval areas and fortifications of the town while enjoying the local restaurants and cafés. Ending at the Főhercegi mill, we finish with a thrilling boat slide that ends at the MVSE boathouse on the Mosoni Danube. After sightseeing and museum visits, you can relax at the famous Flexum Thermal & Spa, one of Europe’s best thermal baths, with a range of pampering pools and family-friendly facilities.

There must be a mill where there is so much water! The town’s oldest public building has been home to a mill since 1648, which was modernised and operated until the 1980’s. During this time, it also functioned as a brewery, which Dreher, through a competitor, bought out and then closed. Although the building has stood quietly for decades at the end of the pedestrian street in Mosonmagyaróvár, it has continued to attract tourists with its stately appearance and exceptional surroundings.

It was the beginning of a new era a few years ago when the Malom Café opened in the building. Contrary to its name, in addition to coffee, food is also available, and not just any quality. It is also worth keeping an eye on their programme offerings, such as the “Szigetköz gastronomy tour” or the “chatty Thursday”, which show that the culinary experiences at the Malom Café go far beyond the usual café offerings.

If you are in Mosonmagyaróvár, it is worth looking around the area. The Rose Garden of Mariakálnok is a famous pilgrimage site in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, whose magnificent design was created in 2012 next to the shrine, which has been visited since the 16th century. The chapel is built around a miraculous spring, the main jewel of which is the statue of the Virgin Mary of Chalnok, to which several legendary miracles are linked. The adjacent rose garden has 60 beds containing thousands of different roses, including tea roses, park roses and runner roses.

If you are looking for a true wilderness experience, and the challenges of the bog forests don’t hold you back, the natural wonders of the Szigetköz can be a real bucket list experience. Established in 1987, the Szigetköz Landscape Conservation Area is a highly protected area of rare flora and fauna, covering more than a thousand hectares. There are also numerous water and land hiking trails and sports facilities awaiting visitors. A canoe trip from the harbour next to the Kisvesszősi campsite takes you to the Cikolai branch system of the Szigetköz, ideal for beginners and children. The rich wildlife and undisturbed aquatic life of the Landscape Conservation Area surrounds us, and the many attractions, such as the Denkpál fish stairs and the breeding grounds of the grey herons, can add extra excitement to the adventure.