Mateszalka

Place description

The town of a population of almost 20 thousand is also termed the capital of Szatmár and it is the economic and cultural centre of the region being the home of approximately 85 thousand people.

Because of its location, Mátészalka is the touristic gateway to the Szatmár region with its intact natural beauty. You only have to drive about half an hour to reach the water mill at Túristvánd, the Szatmárcseke cemetery with wooden headboards, the Csaroda and Tákos historical churches or the distilleries at Tarpa and Panyola, just as well as excellent places for anglers, hunters, hikers and tourists along the River Tisza and in the Szamos area, not to mention the ancient marshland at Bátorliget, the Gothic churches of Nyírbátor, the pilgrim place at Máriapócs or the Vay Palace and fishing lake at Vaja.

Different ensembles and excellent local amateur theatrical groups offer 20-25 performances annually at the local Cultural Centre.

The largest event of the town is the Mátészalka Limelight Days Festival that is organised in the first week of September every year.

Tourist attractions in the town and surrounding areas:

‘Kölcsey’ Monument
‘Seven Chieftains’ Grand Well
Saint Steven equestrian statute
Statute of a boy with a lamp
Roman Catholic Church
Greek Catholic Church
Statute of Calvin
Thermal Spa
Synagogue
‘Szatmár’ Museum