Dunaföldvár

Dunaföldvár is located in the middle of the country, on the right bank of River Danube, approx. 90 km south from Budapest. It is an important traffic intersection as it lies at the junction of Motorway M6 and Roads 61 and 52. Because of the railway-road bridge called Beszédes József crossing the Danube it is also known as „Puszta Kapuja” (Gate of the Puszta). By rail it can be approached on the Dunaújváros-Paks line.

The old town of the settlement still preserves its old village style. In addition to the nice civic houses built in the Middle Ages and having large yards also cellars dug into the ground can be found here. The monuments considered to be the touristic sights of the town, e.g. the building of the pharmacy in Béke tér (Béke Square), Barátok temploma (Friars' Church), the Franciscan monastery and the building of the secondary school, were built in late-baroque style. The loess-hill called Alsó-Öreg-hegy (Lower Old Hill), towering over the town on the bank of the Danube, is a determinant part of the view of Dunaföldvár. Today there are Calvary crosses on the Bronze-Age motte to be found at the abutment of Beszédes József Bridge. Beautiful view opens from the hill to the countryside.

One of the centres of the cultural life of the town is the community house hosting theatre performances and concerts. Vármúzeum (Castle Museum) is accommodated in the Gothic-style Csonka (Truncate) or Török-torony (Turkish Tower), where local historical and arms exhibitions await visitors. The yard of the tower can be approached through the wonderful hand-carved Castle Gate prepared by folk industrial artist Csepeli István. If you liked the gate, you must visit Fafaragó Galéria (Wood Carving Gallery) where you can feast your eyes on the works of contemporary Hungarian wood carvers and folk wood sculptors.

Both the spa and the beach of Dunaföldvár are very popular. From early May to late August three open-air pools are available for the guests. The spa also offers a number of health improving services. The artificial pond at the northern boundary of the town, today already enjoying natural protection, is the home of special and rare bird species. Beszédes József Vízitúra Sport Klub (Beszédes József Water Tour Sports Club) provides mooring possibilities and tent places for water tourers and is also engaged in renting out kayaks and canoes and organising tours.

Sources: http://www.dunafoldvar.hu/, dr. Lóczy Dénes: Dél-Dunántúl. Cartographia, Budapest. 2001, http://hu.wikipedia.org/, http://www.vendegvaro.hu/