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Zselic, the miracle

of the starry sky

Anyone who has already been among the hills of Zselic Zselic is a landscape full of values, also in terms of ethnogra-
knows that one can easily fall in love with the local forests phy and socio-history. It has been inhabited since the Stone
and the small villages of Somogy hidden at the foot of the Age – the forests are still hiding traces of smaller villages and

gentle hills, and with the hilly land between Somogy and larger settlements. However, after the Turkish invasion, it

Baranya, known for its peasant culture with archaic style was almost completely depopulated.
features. The hilly landscape, divided by a thousand valleys, Visitors can learn about the typical folk architecture in

stretches from the Kapos River to the Drava River near Szenna, the first Europa Nostra award-winning ethno-

the border. The Zselic Landscape Protection Area was the graphic open-air museum, which is located on the west-

first in Europe to receive the title of International Dark Sky ern border of the landscape protection area. Since ancient

Park in 2009. In the area of the Zselic Dark Sky Park, the times, the region has been one of the most important land-
night starry sky can be enjoyed, examined, and researched scape units of Somogy, and which was fi rst mentioned
without any disturbing external lights. by King Ladislaus I of Hungary in his letter of donation.

The observatory, the lookout tower, the information points, The forest is also a national treasure with its native trees,
and the educational trails built in 2015 within the frame- plants, and wild animals, as well as its gradually develop-
work of the Zselic Dark Sky Park project are teaching us ing tourism. Thanks to its natural, cultural, economic, and

about the wonderful natural values of the area. During the folk-art values, this region is especially popular with hikers
night tours, family and school programmes, visitors can and those seeking peace and quiet away from the noise
learn about the wonders of the sky, admire astronomical of the cities.
sights such as the Milky Way and star clusters that are not
visible at all, or are barely visible, from areas with heavier
light pollution.

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