Church, tradition and nature

Felsőszentmárton can be understood through three distinct themes: the architectural history of Szent Márton-templom, a tradition from Táborpuszta and the plant life in the area around the village. Together, they offer different points of reference for understanding the character of the destination.

Szent Márton-templom in Felsőszentmárton was built in 1727 near the ruins of an older church. It was expanded in 1852 and renovated in 2021. The three dates mark different stages: construction, expansion and later renovation. The church’s history can thus be read in stages, without conflating the original building with its later expansion.

Táborpuszta is part of the municipality of Felsőszentmárton. According to tradition, King Szent László crossed the Drava there with his army. Alongside the dates in the church’s history, this represents another form of local history: a story explicitly passed down as a tradition and linked to the river.

Mrtvica-tó lies near the destination. Several protected plant species grow in the area; yellow floating heart is particularly striking, blooming from early summer and covering the water’s surface like a yellow carpet. For travel planning, the nature theme adds a seasonal note, while the church’s architectural history is marked by fixed historical dates.

More topics in the wider destination of Baranya

The wider destination of Baranya offers further distinct cultural and nature-related themes. In Pécs, the early Christian Necropolis of Sopianae includes decorated tombs dating from the 4th century. The burial chambers lie underground, while the memorial chapels were built above ground; richly decorated Christian wall paintings are also part of the site. This combination of burial chambers, chapels and paintings offers a different perspective on history from the architectural development of the church in Felsőszentmárton.

The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter is also in Pécs. Its exhibitions include “Golden Age of Zsolnay,” the “Pink Exhibition” and an exhibition on the family and factory history. For children, there are outdoor playgrounds, an interactive lab, a planetarium, the Bóbita Puppet Theatre, a ceramics painting workshop and classes at the Hercules Workshop. The freely accessible outdoor area can be entered and used free of charge during opening hours; check the opening hours before your visit.

For nature and agriculture, the Ős-Dráva Visitor Centre near Szaporca offers an interactive exhibition, a working demonstration farm with practical farming activities and three themed educational trails. They provide information about traditional agriculture, the Ős-Dráva Programme and wildlife along the Drava. The farm area features native Hungarian domestic animals, including Hungarian Grey cattle, Mangalica pigs, Hucul horses, and old breeds of sheep and poultry.

Siklós Castle and the Nagyharsány Sculpture Park also represent different cultural themes in Baranya. The castle is one of Hungary’s best-preserved military complexes and an important Hungarian Renaissance building. Modernisation of the museum wing opened the previously inaccessible Gothic section to visitors. At the sculpture park, the “Art in Nature” programme includes a guided tour. The Kikerics Panorama Trail allows safe passage along the edge of the cliffs while also protecting the park’s plant life from trampling.

Those wishing to include food and drink in their travel plans will find another topic in the wider destination of Baranya in Villány’s row of wine cellars: visitors can go from cellar to cellar throughout the year to sample wines and tasty dishes. This makes it possible to distinguish the region’s attractions by interest without confusing them with the local themes of Felsőszentmárton.

Discover more destinations: Drávasztára, Sellye.

View the wider travel overview: Sellyei.