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Baja, the town of Waters and Flavours

© Haragos Pal

If you love water, sunshine and activity, then you will be devoted to Baja for the rest of your life. Nature has lavished its treasures here. The Danube and the rivers that flow into it embrace Baja. They provide you bathing, romantic excursions and activity on water.

In Baja's history water has been of crucial importance. Before the railway lines, the Danube was the main commercial route for this peaceful, flourishing town. Rafts and barges packed with goods came to the famous Baja fairs in there hundreds. The water mills, the boats and the harbour were the main ingredients of the landscape at that time. Fishing, selling fish net making all has centuries of tradition behind them in Baja. The symbol of the town is its famous fish soup, which is prepared according to the recipe of the fishermen of old times. Every year, on the second Saturday in July, the main square and adjoining streets of the town is the preparation of the famous Fisherman's Soup more than 2000 open fires under the open sky. www.halaszle.hu

Some interesting sites in Baja

Town Hall was built in the 18th century in neo-baroque style. Türr Istvan museum, and Nagy Istvan Gallery with their collections. The Great Serbian Church was built around 1790 and financed by the donations of Serbian citizens. Déry Garden is a romantic garden of downtown of Baja. Petöfi Island is the water sport centre of the town.

Famous people from Baja

Andras Jelky was the globetrotting journeyman tailor of Baja. Jelky set out from Baja to travel to Paris. After passing through Bonn he reached Rotterdam, where his money run out and he enlisted in the Dutch army. He sailed for the East Indies. In an adventurous life he visited Algeria, Canton, Ceylon and Japan. He lived for about fifteen years on the island of Java. After his return home he settled in Buda and wrote the story of his travels.

Istvan Türr, who had been born in Baja, was an officer during the Independence War in 1848. He immigrated to Italy and became a general of Garibaldi. Türr helped built the Canal of Corinth (Greece) and when he returned he made the Ferenc Canal to connect Tisza and Danube.

Baja is located in South Hungary. The town has railway connection to (Budapest via) Kiskunhalas and (Dombovar via) Bataszek. There are regular coach services to South Hungarian towns. The town connected some cycle tour path as well.