In the Footsteps of Tirpák Settlers

Discover the “cluster farms” of Nyíregyháza and be part of a journey through time to get to know the Tirpák settlers who founded the city!
We may explore the so called cluster farms (in Hungarian bokortanyák) around Nyíregyháza in the course of an interesting bike tour. Along the 33-km tour, we can gain an insight into the situation of city supply and arable farming, as well as learn how the situation of individual farms varies. We can see the beauties, advantages and difficulties of life on the farms, as well as experience the challenges faced by founders and the inhabitants of the cluster farms in the 18th and 19th centuries. You can also see agricultural field production, horticulture, tractors, horses, or the real scenes of apple and peach cultivation up-close.

Who are the Tirpáks?
The Tirpáks were Slovak-speaking Lutherans, originally from present Slovakia. Once settled in Békés county, they re-settled in Nyíregyháza at the invitation of Count Ferenc Károlyi and because of his favourable promises, contributing with their agricultural production and handicraft skills to prevent the depopulation of the village that then had a mere 300 people. They created Nyíregyháza’s nationally unique settlement structure, the cluster farms, and they are responsible for the town’s prosperity and the construction of the second largest Lutheran church in the country.

Nyíregyháza – Lutheran Church

Since its consecration in 1786, the Lutheran Church of Nyíregyháza has been a symbol and gathering place for the population of Tirpáks. It is the city’s oldest building and also its most valuable monument, topographical number 1. Since 1928, the carillon consisting of 12 bells above the main entrance has been rung every hour.

Nyíregyháza – The Szarvas Plate

The Szarvas plate received its name from the town of Szarvas in Békés county, from which the Tirpáks arrived. It depicts the long, almost 200 km journey of the settlers with their carts, families and household equipment all the way to Nyíregyháza. In the city centre we find references to the cluster farms. In the middle of the pedestrian mall the silhouette of the city is seen in the paving stones, and the 36 cluster farms and other attached parts of Nyíregyháza in bronze plaques around it as well.

The Cluster Farms – Rókabokor

Rókabokor and Sulyánbokor are protected parts of Nyíregyháza–local architectural regulations protect the structure of the farms. A bird’s eye view of Rókabokor shows the shrub-like, radial arrangements of the courtyards, ploughlands, inner gardens. Active life is indicated by the bus station, the line of mailboxes, the caretaker who delivers lunch, or the arrival of the big truck of the rolling library. Still, the population, with just a few exceptions, is ageing.

Nyíregyháza – The Founding Fathers’ Statue

In the centre of Nyíregyháza stands the statue of the city founding fathers. The work depicts Count Ferenc Károlyi, the landlord of Nyíregyháza who repopulated the area, handing over the charter of settlement to János Petrikovics, bootmaker from Szarvas. A visit to the area of the cluster farms makes it clear to the guest what a serious job it was to make the settlement prosperous, to make the land productive and how diligently the craftsmen worked to provide for landlords and subsequently for city dwellers. A flourishing city that is still developing innovatively today was established here. Nyíregyháza also took over the role of the county seat in 1876.