Újfehértó: Salt Lake and Local History

Újfehértó lies between Debrecen and Nyíregyháza, on the edge of the Nyírség towards the Hajdúság, in the southwestern part of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. Two main themes can help guide your travel plans: the salt landscape and local history. When looking for a hotel, you can consider whether nature observation or culture will play a bigger part in your stay; Újfehértó offers specific points of interest for both.

Salt Landscape and Birdlife

The Szikes Sóstó is a nature reserve of national importance. In dry weather, its white lakebed regularly comes into view; this phenomenon gave Újfehértó its name.

Újfehértó’s salt-affected areas are home to numerous protected plant and animal species, and many bird species also breed or stop there to rest. Another natural feature is a locally protected Ice Age loess wall: protected sand martins nest in its upper layer. Nature here thus encompasses salt-affected habitats and resting birds, as well as a geological formation.

Another excursion destination is Vadas-tó, which is suitable for visits because of its size and varied surroundings. It lies along an international bird migration route and is a popular place for birdwatching. The two locations appeal to different nature interests: the salt-affected areas are breeding or resting sites for numerous bird species, while birdwatching is the main attraction at Vadas-tó.

Local History in the Town Centre

The sights in the town centre make a good route for a walk exploring local history. They include public statues and monuments, as well as the centuries-old row of chestnut trees on Főtér.

The church just beside Fő tér was built between 1803 and 1814 and originally consecrated in 1812 in honour of All Saints; today, it is dedicated to the Great Lady of the Hungarians. Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II, visited the church in the late 1970s. A stained-glass window commemorates him. This site brings together architectural history, the church’s present dedication and the memory of a future pope.

The churchyard of the Reformed Church contains three 17th-century sarcophagus-shaped tombstones. Their inscriptions are illegible; one bears a visible asymmetrical floral engraving.

The Városi Múzeum opened in 1995 in a manor house dating from the second half of the 19th century, which formerly belonged to the Grünberger family. The building features a vaulted colonnade. Alongside temporary exhibitions, the museum mainly displays material on local history. The building’s history and its collection thus offer two different ways to explore the town’s past.

In front of the museum, the sculpture park displays statues dedicated to Nyúzó Mihály, Rákóczi Pál, Szoboszlai Pap István and Zajti Ferenc, all of whom are associated with the town. The names give the public sculptures a direct connection to local history.

The Csörsz-árok, also known as Ördög-árok, also runs through Újfehértó. Its origins are disputed, although most evidence points to a Late Roman date. Its route through the town and its still-unresolved origins are two distinct aspects of its historical interpretation.

The grave of Silbermann Ferenc in Újfehértó’s former cemetery remains a place of pilgrimage. The cemetery on Kossuth út is not open to visitors.

Discover more destinations: Kállósemjén, Nagykálló.

Go to the regional travel overview: Nagykállói.