The ŐRSÉG region

The most rapidly developing countryside destination of Hungary 2007

This wonderful landscape slashed by woods and groves can be found in the south-western corner of Hungary. The conquering Hungarians have placed people on guard to protect the western gate. This is where the name of this region Őrség (őr=guard) is originated.

Őrség is the only region in Hungary where people have lived in the same area since the conquest. Throughout centuries the local people have formed the aspect of the region in harmony with the nature and created its sustainable vividity through the small-plot farming and buildings matching the land. This region is characterized by hills and valleys hollowed by brooks, leafy and pine-forests, fresh, green hay-fields, marshland preserving residual plants from the Ice Age, springs and brooks of crystal-clear water. Visitors can enjoy the silence and fresh air and are awaited with unchanged folk traditions and crafts (a special art of weaving, pottery, pumpkin-seed squeezing), products from self-sufficient peasant farms (pumpkin-seed-oil, honey brandy, goats and cows cheese).

The preservation of the natural, culture-historical and ethnographical values of this wonderful region is a mission of the Őrség National Park. The number of protected species of plants is above 100. The flowery hay-fields and watery fields, the hay-field orchards, extended forests, a lot of butterfly species and the big game provide an excellent opportunity to have a dip in the nature. The local conditions also make the region to a very good mushroom-gathering site. The special sporadic types of settlements, the traditional (dwelling) houses, the bell-towers, churches from the Arpad-Age, the Series of Folk Historic Buildings of Pityerszer, the special sporadic settlements offer several cultural values.