Page 9 - Békés megye
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Built heritage
The built values of Békés County are very special; there are The town commemorates his life and work with a permanent
nearly 50 museums in this area. exhibition in his birth house.
The most ancient fortress of the Great Plain, the fortress of In Mezőhegyes, seven historic monuments of the former Im-
Gyula, is more than 600 years old; it is the only surviving perial Royal Stud Farm offer a true curiosity for the lovers of
brick fortress built in Gothic style in Central Europe. In the historical buildings. The construction of the imposing build-
county, there are eleven castles, the Almásy castle in Gyula, ing complex, consisting of the stud farm’s offi ce, the northern
the Bolza castle in Szarvas, as well as the castles and wonder- and southern barracks, the covered riding hall, the stud stable,
ful parks of the Family Wenckheim in Szabadkígyós. the central granary, and the silo tower, was started by nearly
Mihály Munkácsy, the great painter, started his career in four hundred masons and carpenters in 1785.
Békéscsaba; the Mihály Munkácsy Museum commemorates At the meeting point of eight roads, the Kondorosi Inn “Csár-
his work. It is worthwhile seeing the pictures of Petrich Soma da”, surrounded by legends, was built in 1820. According to
Orlai, known as Petőfi’s friend, in Mezőberény; the Ruzicskay folk tradition, the famous highwayman, Sándor Rózsa was
Gallery, exhibiting the works of the famous artist, György Ru- hiding in its tunnel. You should not miss a visit to the His-
zicskay, who was born in Szarvas, the Pál Molnár-C. exhibi- torical Memorial Site of Vésztő-Mágor. There are two, 9 to
tion in Battonya, and the Mátyás Jantyik Collection in Békés. 10-metre tall hills next to each other that reveal the six thou-
Ferenc Erkel, the composer of the Hymn, was born in Gyula. sand year-old history of the Mágor Hills to visitors.
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