Őrség Folk Monument Ensemble Szalafő Pityerszer

What makes the open-air-museum extra special is that its houses preserved their 18th century state: Pityerszer is the most archaic of the Szalafő rows. Walking around the site, peering into the thatched houses, feeling the scent of the beaten floor and thinking how the villagers once lived here, is a splendid programme. The so-called fenced house and the “kástu” are unique Hungarian structures. Fenced houses became widespread in the 1800s, with a courtyard in the middle of the U-shaped row of buildings. The “kástu” is in fact a pantry, where they stored foodstuffs and next year’s seeds, as well as tools. The house could be single or double storey, there are examples of both on Pityerszer. If you book in advance, you can also try some traditional local activities, such as pottery, baking round pretzels or even getting a glimpse into the process of making pumpkin seed oil. For souvenirs, go to the national park gift shop or the handicraft shop open on the area of the museum. Just a few minutes' walk to the west of the open-air museum are the European bison of the Őrség National Park, where, from the vantage point of a lookout, you can observe not only the largest land mammal in Europe but also the very rare Eurasian wild horses. 

Like all regions, the Őrség also boasts its own distinctive dishes which have not changed over the centuries. When you’ve familiarised yourselves with the customs and lifestyle of Hungarians of yore and admired the wild horses, it’s time to delve into the flavours of the region at the barn snack bar in the museum. The forests in the area are full of porcini mushrooms when it rains, so it is no coincidence that mushroom soup made using them is a typical Őrség dish. Don’t miss “dödölle”, the potato hashbrowns drenched in sour cream, and for dessert taste the pumpkin-poppy seed strudel. When you’ve had your fill, discover the romantic hiking trails of the region. Starting near the border, even children can complete the 6 km distance of the Körtike educational trail leading to the centre of Szalafő. Determined hikers can expand this with the trail along the Szala stream, where many adventures await you in the embrace of the green forest, the streams and the river Zala.