Hajdúszoboszló - the most popular spa city in Hungary
„Szoboszló is my picture book, I’m forever browsing through it: it’s great just to lose yourself in it all, in wonder, in solace, and learning in the process.”
- Ernő Szép wrote these words sometime during the first half of the 20th century. Such sentiments were rewarded when the town commissioned the statue of Szép now standing in the middle of the town (Kenézy u.). One can say without a doubt that many share Szép’s sentiments about the town even today, particularly those who come to this “Rheumatic Mecca” in search of relief. Following the destruction inflicted by the Tatars, the settlement remained depopulated until its rebirth during István Bocskai’s lifetime. In September 1606 the Prince of Transylvania, whose equestrian statue dominates Hősök tere in the middle of the town, gave the six hundred Haiduk horsemen a homeland in thanks for their support in fighting the Habsburgs during the Wars of Independence.
The swimming complex and the spa itself which stand next to road number 4 cover a huge area. Recently the spa has benefited from having been updated. It can now offer the very latest therapies. The swimming complex, one of the biggest in the country, is working hard to ensure that its guests manage to enjoy themselves with a minimum of worry. In addition, Hajdúszoboszló offers boating and indoor swimming, as well as the Aquapark, which was completed in the summer of 2000. In the middle of Great Hungarian Plain the Aquapark makes it possible to enjoy an experience not dissimilar to a day at the seaside.
Next to Szilfákalja út you will find the recently constructed Byzantine-style Greek Catholic Church which serves a congregation of just a few hundred. The Roman Catholic Church on Bocskai utca (1776) is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, because it contains a fresco depicting the development of the town as a spa, and secondly, because Pope John Paul II. worshipped here when he was still known as Karol Wojtylla, Archbishop of Krakow. In the Bocskai Museum, which lies next door, there is a fine collection of folk artifacts: shepherd coats, women’s embroidered sheepskin coats and ornamental carriage ironwork. The work of the town’s twenty or so folk artists is also represented. If you are particularly interested in their work it is possible to commission a piece of embroidery, a carving, an ornamental whip or a piece of ironwork from the individual craftsmen themselves. Apart from the hotels, Hajdúszoboszló has guesthouses, private accommodation and two camping sites. There’s plenty going on during the summer months and both Debrecen and Hortobágy are within easy reach. You can go hot air ballooning and parachuting at the airport, where you can also try your hand at hang gliding.
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