Solt

Solt is located on the western edge of the Plain (Alföld) at the junction of three main routes – 51, 52 and 53. The town is a significant route junction in east-west direction, since the Beszédes József bridge of Dunaföldvár crosses the Danube here. The settlement can be accessed by rail on line Kunszentmiklós-Tass-Solt-Dunapataj. The region is one of Hungary’s areas mostly rich on sunshine. From east the city is surrounded by the Plain and its characteristic farms, whereas in its Western part by hills covered by fruit-trees and vines.

The two golden keys in the municipal coat of arms were given to the settlement by King Béla the Fourth for the reason why they hid him from the Tatars. It is the origin of the denomination “the city of the golden keys”. The keys were warded in the Calvinistic church as soon as they perished in combustion.

Solt is situated in a traditional vinicultural area, which is certified also by its monument wine-cellar village. In the wine-cellar village of Meleghegy wine is prepared in almost 600 press-houses established over the cellar-holes. The building group is a characteristic freak of the town. For wine lovers visiting the Cellar Museum in the Kadarka street is compulsory, where we can get acquainted with the local wine culture, vinicultural and wine-growing tools. The museum in Szőlőhegy should be approached from the Kecskeméti street.

At the Danube bank of Solt we find well-cared free beach and camping, as well as a scenic environment. The river offers several possibilities to the water sport fans, too. Anglers can visit the Fűzvölgyi-channel besides the dead channel of the Danube. In Révbérpuszta - which belongs to the city - a well-known equestrian centre awaits the visitors. The horse-centre demonstrates the native Hungarian faunal species, the gastronomic and folk traditions in its various programs. The unique feature of the complex is the possibility to approach it also on waterway. The common harbour is suitable to accept small pleasure cruisers as well as river hotelships.

Solt is the location of more permanent events, among which the Spring Days of Solt are the most important; however the settlement organizes wine-harvest home and ball, creative arts courses, as well, and they remember also St. Stephan’s Day. One of the most beautiful buildings of the settlement is the Vécsey castle, in which the library of the town and the Vécsey remembrance room are accommodated. The Catholic church in front of the Vécsey castle in eclectic style is also worthwhile to visit, so is the Teleki castle with pool and boat harbour. In the Teleki castle conferences, courses and different events are organized.

Sources:  dr. Dusek László: Az Alföld. Cartographia, Budapest. 2000, http://www.solt.hu/, http://hu.wikipedia.org/, http://www.vendegvaro.hu/