Mohács

Mohács is the most southern settlement of Hungary alongside the Danube, with its major part on the right bank of the river. On the left bank, called “Újmohács” (New Mohács) there is a population less, than 1000. The two parts of the town are connected by ferry. It can be accessed from Szekszárd by long-distance road  56, from Pécs by road 57, while Highway M6 and the Croatian frontiers are at a distance of 10 km- from it. The closest frontier station is at Udvar. Mohács is accessible by train from Pécs only, by the Pécs-Mohács railway line. Since 2007, the only river harbour of the European Union is here.

When mentioning the name of Mohács the “busójárás” (a fest at the end of the winter with a parade of horrifying masks and dancers. The Sokác ( a Slavonic ethnic group) having settled in Mohács brought this several thousand years folk habit from the Balkans. It is a wonder, who it has survived despite of the prohibitions and threats by the clergy and the authorities. As time passed, the busójárás was all and more adapted to the local gifts and traditions, so it gained its present form In our days busójárás is the biggest touristic attraction of the town, a folk habit that in 2009 UNESCO List of Intellectual Heritage. Traditionally, the festive event saying farewell to winter and celebrating the coming spring starts at Kóló Square, from where the busó dancers, wearing their traditional masks and forms, and making big noise walk over the town. This folk tradition is presented in detail in the exhibition at the Busó Ház (Busó House).

There are several other events for the guests of the town, such as the Horse-Riding Festival, the International Folk Dance Festival, the Beans Cooking Competition of Mohács, the Vintage and Wine Fest, the Septemberfest, and Octoberfest. The battle with tragic outcome that took place on the plain beside the town is celebrated by the Mohács Battle Celebrations which is a series of events. The battle site, 8 km southwards of Mohács, in the outer administrative area of Sátorhely,  is a memorial park now for the tragic battle of 1526. After the Turks were forced out, Hungarian from the Szeremség Region, Southern Slav and German settlers were brought to re-populate the place. These nationalities played a very important part in the life of the settlement. In Kanizsai Dorottya Museum you can get acquainted with their everyday chattels and tool of the Sokác,  Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian population of the town, and folk dresses, homespun cloth, folk furniture and crockery from the entire country. The works of local craftsmen can be seen in the Iparosház (Building of the Craftsmen’s Association) and in several craftsmen’s workshops that are open for the public

The famous votive church is on the main square of the town, i.e., Széchenyi  Square. Its foundation stone was laid in 1926. Packages of soil from 3000 settlements of Hungary were built into its fundament an act destined to symbolize national unity. The church designed by ÁRKAY Bertalan  is easy to recognize from far, as well, from its Turkish mosque-like cupola. Nearby is the City Hall, built in Moorish style from where the  pedestrian street starts. You can get to the monumental  Saint Trinity statue designed by TRISCHLER Ferenc, walking between the buildings of romantic style of Szabadság street.

River Danube offers many leisure activities for the visitors of Mohács: one can go to the beach, hire various water vehicles (boat,  motor boat, water tax) and also for a ride on pleasure boat. More information is available at the Tourinform Bureau on the main Square. It is worth to visit the different stations of the Mohács-Bóly White Wine Tour. The wine society made a program package offering opportunities for tasting the  special  local food and wine, visiting cultural events, wine cellars and wine houses. Those  who are interested in horse riding may learn the rudiments thereof at the Pegazus Lovasfarm és Pansion horse jumping, tour and terrain riding and go for a ride in carriage.

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