Bréda Castle of Vásárhely

The building stood abandoned for many years. After its renovation, it now operates as a cultural visitor centre and a tourist attraction. Every evening, after sunset, a unique light art display is showcased on the façade of the castle, which is set in a stunning environment. Events and weddings held in the surrounding historic park can become elegant and unforgettable memories, earning it the prestigious award of Best Wedding Venue in Békés County in 2016. Inside the building, visitors can explore numerous fascinating features, such as the Foucault pendulum located in the dome room, with a unique dome painting visible 15 metres above it. The rooms bring the castle's and the family's history to life, and visitors can also gain insight into the daily life of the estate. Several models have been placed in the visitor area. Interactive installations and 3D projections illustrate the renovation work of the castle. Numerous pieces of furniture and furnishings characteristic of the castle's era are on display. The basement houses the Hungarikum Centre, showcasing the internationally renowned values and prides of Békés County. The castle grounds also feature a restaurant and an event marquee, suitable for hosting various events.

Church of Our Lady of Fatima

The current church was built to replace the modest prayer house that previously stood here. The construction of the church was initiated by the late mayor Géza Germán. The project was supported by the Diocese of Szeged-Csanád and Bishop László Kiss-Rigó. Local residents also contributed to the construction: the Viszokai family donated a 280-kilogram bell, Corvus-Kora Róbert provided two large paintings and a five-metre granite cross. The foundation stone was laid on 13 October 2007. Construction work began in August 2008 and was completed by the end of May 2009. The church was consecrated on 22 August 2009. On the day of the consecration, several hundred people gathered, with at least half unable to fit inside the church, so they listened to the mass from outside via loudspeakers. Justification for inclusion in the heritage register: The church plays a significant role in the lives of Lőkösháza's residents. It is an important place for Catholic believers. This is where they baptise their children, where they receive their First Communion, where they are confirmed, where they marry, and where they offer masses for their deceased loved ones. The church is a home for everyone and a place of gathering every Sunday. Without a church, it is difficult to foster a Christian community life. It can be visited by prior telephone arrangement.

Corvus-Kora Róbert

Corvus-Kora Róbert has lived and worked in Lőkösháza since his childhood. His first major success came at the age of 16 in Budapest, where one of his paintings was awarded a certificate. He was greatly influenced by Renaissance art and 17th-century Dutch artists, aspiring to paint in their style. He has created several public sculptures and monuments from marble and limestone. Always passionate about monumental, life-sized depictions, he decided to paint his first 9x4.5-metre panoramic painting for the Hungarian Millennium in 1996. A total of nine panoramic paintings have been completed. His future plan is to create another 9x4.5-metre painting and build a circular hall to house the artworks. The building will be unique in the world, as no such circular hall exists that contains ten panoramic paintings, each exploring a different theme. The artist regularly supports Lőkösháza. His works adorn the public spaces and interiors of the village, such as the St. Stephen statue, the cross in front of the church, the Trianon memorial, and the monument commemorating the 1956 Revolution and War of Independence. He has also erected statues in memory of Jenő Gávai Gaál and Tibor Frigyes Májer. The columbarium wall and the crucifix in the local cemetery are also his contributions. His paintings decorate the Community Centre and the Mayor's Office. His ninth panoramic painting can be viewed at the Petőfi Sándor Community Centre in Lőkösháza by prior arrangement. Appointments can be made with the artist for guided tours.

Dobozi Reformed Church

Located in the centre of Doboz village, in the middle of Kossuth Square, stands the Reformed Church, rich in historical and symbolic value: it was built between 1794 and 1798 during the ministry of Sámuel Kállai M. The church is a single-nave structure with a tower at the front façade, ending in a semicircular closure. The tower's shaft is topped by a clock cornice – complete with a clock. The tower spire bears the year 1867, commemorating its renovation, and is crowned with a decorative finial featuring a globe, star, and flag. The interior furnishings are in a classicising style with Rococo influences. The floor is covered with wide wooden planks. The organ, built in 1912, is also under heritage protection. The unique oak furnishings add a cosy atmosphere to the church interior. Inside the church, there is a distinctive marble baptismal font. The church was damaged during the 1978 earthquake, and its restoration took six years. The building was reinforced with a concealed reinforced concrete structure that even caught UNESCO's attention. In addition to worship services, the Dobozi Reformed Congregation occasionally organises cultural events within the church walls, enriching the cultural life of this ancient settlement.

Dobozi Wenckheim Castle

The former Wenckheim Castle now functions as the Dobozi Primary School. In 1944, the castle, which originally had 52 rooms, reached its current form in three stages. First, the hunting lodge facing the main road was completed (currently a shop is located here). The single-storey hunting lodge was built by Rudolf Wenckheim based on the plans of Antal Czigler, the estate architect from Gyula, providing a place for relaxation and hospitality after hunts. In 1850, the upper floor of the castle and its extension parallel to the main road were completed, which now form part of the Dobozi Primary School building. The building took on its "U" shape at this time, and around the same period, in 1852, the romantic-style racing stables and coach house were built based on the plans of Miklós Ybl, followed by the triumphal-arched oat silo granary. Doboz became the centre of the estate, from where the Vésztő and Csorvás properties were managed. At the beginning of the 1900s, Dénes Wenckheim constructed the turret-like, mansard-roofed, slate-covered multi-storey section in the courtyard in a historicist style. A marble staircase leads to the upper floor. From the balcony room, there was a beautiful view of the castle park. The rooms featured stunning tiled stoves matching the wall colours. In the dining room, a 4-metre-tall snow-white tiled stove was brought from Belgium. The upper floor served as the living quarters for the countess and the children. The castle was furnished in an aristocratic and sophisticated manner. On the ground floor, the large dining room, among other things, served as the venue for hunting dinners, and many famous people visited the castle during hunts, including Governor Miklós Horthy. By the 1940s, Count Lajos Wenckheim transformed the castle into a true countryside residence. The corridors' walls were adorned with a collection of hundreds of beautiful and valuable roe deer and stag antlers. The Dobozi hunting lodge was well-known in aristocratic circles. Today, the impressive building houses 9 classrooms. In 1996, the building was expanded with a new wing, which included additional classrooms. The old and new building complex now welcomes Dobozi students with a modern computer room, development room, and specialised classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Catholic Church and Crypt

Behind the former castle, surrounded by a branch of the Dead Black Körös River, lies a 3.7-hectare castle park, designed by the Wenckheim family in the 1880s. At the highest point of the park stands the neo-Romanesque-style Holy Cross Chapel and Crypt, often referred to as the 'jewel box' of the area. In 1902, Count Dénes built the neo-Romanesque patronal church and the round cemetery chapel, the crypt, based on plans by Viktor Siedek, a Viennese architect. The chapel cost 250,000 crowns. The foundation of the church was dug out in just one week in 1857 by local labourers from Doboz. The buildings were consecrated on 7 June 1902 by Bishop Lőrinc Schlauch of Várad. According to contemporary accounts, at the Gerla bridge, a hundred horsemen welcomed the bishop performing the consecration, escorting him to the church entrance. For the celebratory lunch following the consecration, 800 meal tickets were distributed among the construction workers. The interior is richly decorated, with every column and staircase in the church made of marble. The colourful windows, the three altarpieces, and the ceiling paintings, featuring mosaics covered with 24-carat gold leaf, were created by Tyrolean artists. The church and its associated family crypt can be visited by prior arrangement.

Folk House

The masterpieces of folk architecture can still be found in Biharugra today. Two thatched houses, each over two hundred years old, stand in the middle and at the far end of the main street named after Queen Elisabeth. The former now functions as a folk house. The 100-square-metre building was constructed in several stages and is a typical peasant house. Initially, it was most likely a three-part building with a room, kitchen, and pantry-chamber layout. Later, a separate outbuilding was added as a stable, and subsequently, the space between the two buildings was enclosed. An external pantry was added in this section. The building is a traditional adobe-walled, thatched-roof dwelling with a rammed earth foundation. The living area features ceilings made of wooden beams, covered with clay from below and thatched with reeds on top. The roof structure, as seen from the street, is a small, hipped gable roof. Inside the house, a furnace and a built-in stove were also constructed. By 2010, the building was in a severely deteriorated condition when it was acquired by the local council. By this time, the damage was so extensive that renovation became unavoidable. During the restoration, the entire roof covering, damaged ceilings, and walls were repaired. Additionally, the façade windows and doors were restored, rainwater drainage was installed, the surroundings of the house were tidied up, and a woven wattle fence was created along the street front. As one of the oldest residential buildings in Biharugra, the locals preserve it as a historical monument and value, and it also enjoys local protection. Today, the local council presents the building as a folk house to visitors.

Granary Designed by Miklós Ybl

The Granary is a historic building constructed in 1863. It is an outstanding industrial and architectural monument of the village, built based on the designs of Miklós Ybl for the former Wenckheim estate. This granary is a true forerunner of modern architectural endeavours. The building has a T-shaped floor plan, is three storeys high, and features a closed block structure with simple recessed Gothic-style windows. Between the windows are vertical pilasters running upwards, with a cornice above the second floor. The openings on the third floor crown the building like pearls, which is topped with a low gable roof. The block is connected to the adjacent drying tower by a single arched opening up to the second floor. This served as a covered passageway for transport carts. The larger rectangular section was suitable for grain storage on three levels and functioned as the granary. Perpendicular to this wing is the silo section, which is also three storeys high. It features a semicircular vault in the middle, and on the right side was the drying silo. In 1985, the roof, which had been severely damaged by a storm, was restored, but no further work was carried out. Until 1944, the granary was used by the estate and later by the Agricultural Cooperative, followed by the Békés County Grain Trading and Milling Company. In 1962, the Petőfi Agricultural Cooperative of Doboz purchased the building. The cooperative's management, recognising the rapid deterioration of the structure, planned its renovation but was unable to secure the necessary funds. Despite its significantly deteriorated condition today, the granary is still considered an agricultural heritage site. It is currently in private ownership.

József Kotroczó's Diorama Collection

József Kotroczó, the creator of Hungary's smallest 'Golgotha' works, was born on 17th April 1926. According to the Ethnographic Lexicon (pages 383-384), in the 17th-18th centuries, these works held such value that they became part of heritage collections. His 'Patience Bottles' are wooden carvings built inside bottles ranging from 0.5 to 1000 ml: cross, ladder, pillar of torture, whip, spear, sword, hammer, sponge. Creating these pieces pushes the boundaries of human endurance and the impossible. The original colour of the wooden carvings is white (Canadian poplar), symbolising the purity of the soul, while the cork represents eternity. The exhibition can be viewed at the Sándor Petőfi Community Centre.

PAINTED WOODEN PANELS OF THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

Pál Szabó Literary Memorial House

For many, Biharugra is synonymous with one of our greatest folk writers, Pál Szabó. His first piece of writing appeared in a 1927 issue of "Körösvidék", and its success inspired him to create more works. After submitting reports to "Körösvidék", his writings were published by Endre Bajcsy-Zsilinszky's "Előörs". His first novel, "Emberek" (People), was published in 1930 by the Sylvester Press, and shortly afterwards, Franklin Publishing also released it, with translations into foreign languages. At that time, Zsigmond Móricz already regarded him as one of the greatest promises of Hungarian literature. His books were published in numerous editions. He achieved true success with his novels, in which he brought the past of his people to life through his own experiences. Additionally, he also wrote successful film scripts. For his work, he was awarded the Baumgarten Prize in 1949, the Attila József Prize in 1950, and the Kossuth Prizes in 1951 and 1954. In his house in Biharugra, Pál Szabó transformed the veranda into his study. Whenever he was working on a major project, he always returned home to finish it. Home, to the street and the adobe house from where he once set out to reach the heights of literary life. After the writer's death in 1970, the family created a memorial room here, where they collected his cherished personal items and furniture. The Pál Szabó Literary Memorial House, founded by the writer's daughter, has been welcoming visitors since 1973, and later officially gained museum status. In 2007, a commemorative plaque was unveiled on the eastern side of the building, next to the entrance, listing 42 famous and significant individuals who visited this house as Pál Szabó's guests. In the spring of 2008, the Pál Szabó Literary Memorial House was renovated, and the writer's former study and library remain open to visitors every day of the week, with knowledgeable guided tours and a warm welcome awaiting all.

Samson's Castle

The Árpád-era earthwork known as Samson's Castle appears on András Paulovics's 1789 map, with no earlier references in historical sources. According to a local legend, the castle's name is linked to a robber leader named Samson. During the Turkish era, this was the hideout of a robber leader named Samson, who caused significant damage to the Turks and killed many of them. He had a deep cellar underground where he stored his treasures. However, the only way to access this underground cellar was through the hollow trunk of a stunted willow tree growing on the banks of the Körös River. In 1964, Júlia Kovalovszki, an archaeologist originally from Doboz, determined the extent of the castle during her excavations. Samson's Castle consists of two parts: an inner and an outer castle. In one of her excavation trenches, Júlia Kovalovszki uncovered the remains of a gate tower, which provided passage through the rampart made of compacted earth. In 2006, an authentication archaeological excavation was carried out at the site of the gate tower under the leadership of archaeologists Dr. Mária Béres and András Liska. As a result of the excavation, previously unknown details of the gate tower documented by Júlia Kovalovszki were discovered, and data was collected about the structure of the rampart. The local population of nearby villages, particularly in the early Árpád era, may have used Samson's Castle, built in a protected nook of the Körös River, as an occasional refuge.

Flower Exhibition by Mrs Károly Kovács Made of Sugar

Mrs Károly Kovács was born in 1957 in Lőkösháza, where she has lived ever since. Following in her father’s footsteps, she also became a tailor and seamstress, working in Lőkösháza. She initially created sugar flowers and decorated cakes as a hobby for her family and friends. Through this, her work came to the attention of our town’s mayor, Györgyi Szűcsné Gergely. She encouraged her to participate in the amateur cake-making competition organised by the Mihály Munkácsy Museum in Békéscsaba in 2015, where she received a special award for her cake composition titled “My Grandchild’s Tale.” Later, she completed a sugar flower-making course, where she met Master Confectioner Dr Zoltán, a member of the Békés County Culinary Team. Dr Zoltán noticed her work and, in 2016, invited her to create floral decorations for their table at the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt. Since 2016, she has been making the village day cake for Lőkösháza every year. Her exhibition can be viewed at the Sándor Petőfi Community Centre in Lőkösháza.

Statue of the Shepherd Playing the Flute

In the centre of the settlement, visitors are welcomed by a charming little park. At its heart stands the public statue of the 'Shepherd Playing the Flute', erected in the year 2000 by the Municipality of Doboz to honour the Millennium. This statue, made of bronze and limestone in a traditional architectural style, was the largest creation to date by sculptor Attila Mészáros. The design was inspired by the connection between Doboz and water, which has shaped the lives of its inhabitants and the history of the settlement. In the past, Doboz was almost encircled by the Black Körös River, giving it an island-like appearance. This is symbolised by the pebble-shaped base made of Süttő limestone. The shepherd playing the flute evokes the settlement's pastoral heritage.

Tamás Széchy Memorial House, Local History Collection and Creative House

Our town's prominent cultural and heritage site is the Tamás Széchy Memorial House, Local History Collection and Creative House. This house preserves the memory of Tamás Széchy, one of Hungary's most successful swimming coaches of all time and the first honorary citizen of Doboz. He spent his childhood in this house, where his mother was the post office manager. Until 2008, this building served as a post office. Later, thanks to a grant, it was renovated and slightly modified, eventually gaining its current appearance. In 2012, it was reopened to the public, housing a permanent exhibition of the swimming legend's personal belongings and providing space for the local history collection, which includes items donated by residents as well as the handiwork of members of the Dobozi Folk Art Association. Its latest addition, the Postal History Exhibition, opened in 2024. This house hosts all kinds of craft workshops, camps, and events that ensure the traditions of the past are not forgotten and are faithfully passed on to future generations. The main goal is to preserve and respect local traditions and values, passing them down "from father to son." A living house and event space with its own herbal garden. The memorial house can be visited by prior arrangement.

Village Museum

Located in the centre of the village, halfway between the Bölöny Mansion and the Reformed Church, stands one of the oldest buildings in the area. Only the monastery wall remains found in the church nave's foundation are older. Once serving as the manor house for the local landowning family, it lost its original function after the construction of the Bölöny Mansion opposite it. It was then converted into a granary and ceased to be used as a residential building. The building was originally larger than what remains today, as evidenced by wall remnants unearthed during various earthworks on the northern side of the building. By 1885, the cadastral map already depicted it with its current layout as an agricultural building. Like other properties in the village, József Bölöny sold this building in the early 20th century. It continued to function as a granary and was owned by Futura and later, after World War II, by the Grain Trading Company. After the regime change, entrepreneur József Máté purchased the building, which had once again lost its function. It stood empty and unused for many years until 2009, when the owner decided to lease it to the village for 100 years. This allowed the village to create a fitting home for the Village Museum. The first room of the building showcases a typical room-kitchen-pantry setup from the first half of the 20th century, aiming to capture the atmosphere of the era. Here you can find a bed, cradle, wardrobe, rocking bench, table, built-in stove, utensils, ceramic jugs, glasses, bowls, and pantry-related items (oil jug, troughs, cabbage barrel, cheese press, tobacco cutter, baking paddles, etc.). The second room displays everyday tools. Here you’ll find items used daily by rural farmers, including some very interesting and lesser-known objects such as a clapper (a simple seed drill), a hay cutter, a straw puller, a water grinder, a goose feeder, and more. Tools related to hemp processing are also displayed here: the breaker, combs, spinning wheels, winders, and a loom, which visitors often enjoy trying out. In one corner, there are fishing-related tools: fish nets, casting nets, fish baskets, waders, scales, an ice pick, and photos of the past and present of the local fishery. Opposite the entrance is the largest room of the Village Museum, which also hosts temporary exhibitions reflecting the museum’s identity. Currently, it houses an exhibition of wall hangings, which is regularly updated, thanks to the increasing number of donors. Some pieces from the carpet exhibition are also still on display, contributing to the museum’s collection. In this room, three glass display cases hold various objects, the most popular of which include a collection of old coins, antique books, hymnals, calendars, and a picture depicting the coats of arms of the 64 counties. A harmonium from the early 20th century, donated by the Baptist Church, is also on display. Additionally, there is an old sideboard and a traditional bench or rocking bench, where many visitors like to rest during their visit. Old clothing is also displayed here, which visitors enjoy trying on and taking photos in. The next room, named the '50s Room' by visitors, evokes the atmosphere of the 1950s. The double bed, two wardrobes, bedside table, mirror, chair, and table all bring back memories of our grandmothers. The same nostalgic atmosphere is reflected in the kitchen area with its old stove, stool, washbasin stand, laundry chest, and the dishes, lard jars, and cans found in the kitchen cabinet. Sewing machines, tapestry pictures, a portrait of King Matthias, a wall mirror, a statue of a young lady, suitcases on top of the wardrobe, and old radios are also displayed here. The museum also showcases uniforms donated to it, including those of a dam guard, police officer, and soldier. The Village Museum, created through the voluntary donations of local residents, holds a wealth of treasures. Even visitors from further afield have kindly contributed to our collection, either during subsequent visits or through intermediaries. At the entrance to the cellar, in a prominent location, is the approximately 240-year-old entrance door of the local Reformed Church, donated to the museum by the Reformed congregation. Various tools and items are displayed on the exterior walls of the Village Museum (e.g., wooden pitchforks, cow yokes, drying baskets, small troughs, baking paddles, thistle cutters, soap-making spoons, etc.).

Wenckheim Castle Park

Behind the former castle, surrounded by a branch of the Dead Black Körös River, lies a 3.7-hectare castle park, designed by the Wenckheim family in the 1880s in an English style. Its characteristic trees include pedunculate oaks, plane trees, lindens, horse chestnuts, ginkgo, and Scots pine clusters. Since 1979, the park has been a protected natural area, and the leadership of Doboz considers its rehabilitation a top priority. The park features stunning trees that are centuries old. In the picturesque English-style park, you will also find the family mausoleum and chapel (1896-1902). The park was restored in 2006, aiming to recreate its former state by planting new vegetation, creating flower beds, and replacing dead trees. This well-maintained and visually striking park is a favourite spot in the town, where both young and old enjoy strolling under the centuries-old trees and spending their leisure time. We warmly invite our guests to this marvellous natural setting, whose unique climate is shaped by the Dead Black Körös River. Four bridges lead into the park, making this natural wonder in the town centre more accessible. In the western part of the park, there is a sculpture garden paying tribute to former Hungarian kings. Walking through the park and letting your imagination wander, you can picture the everyday life of the former Wenckheim estate, as the former castle, the granary designed by Miklós Ybl, and the chapel and crypt at the park's highest point are all within 'arm's reach' of each other. If you visit Doboz, don’t miss this experience!