Aggtelek National Park Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Special Programs

The Aggtelek National Park was established on January 1, 1985 as the fourth national park in Hungary and the first to be created specifically for the conservation of geological and karst natural values, surface formations and underground caves. The national park, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, will offer special events and programs for visitors, the Agriculture Ministry informed MTI.

The history of the Aggtelek National Park dates back to 1978, when the Aggtelek Landscape Protection District was established by a decision of the National Environment and Nature Protection Office. A year later, it was declared a biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, with special emphasis on the core areas designated in the Haragistya and Great Slope regions.

The protection of the area was taken to a new level in 1985, when the Aggtelek National Park was established on the site of the Aggtelek Landscape Reserve. The park has been developing steadily over the past decades: since 2001, with the declaration of the entire area of Mount Esztramos as a protected area, it now covers 20,188 hectares.

In 1995, the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the caves of the Slovak Karst.

The karst region of the park is home to unique natural formations, fascinating caves and karst phenomena. The area is also geologically outstanding, with rocks from the Triassic period of the Mesozoic era, 230 million years ago, which define the landscape.

The Baradla Cave, the most famous and one of the longest caves in the country, is one of the park’s main attractions, with thousands of visitors every year.

In addition, several other caves, such as the Peace Cave and the Imre Vass Cave, as well as rare species of plants and animals, make the park one of the most unique natural heritage sites in Hungary, the Ministry emphasized.

Stalactite formations in the Baradla cave of Aggtelek National Park. Photo: MTI/Vajda János

In 2025, the Aggtelek National Park will celebrate its “jubilee year,” which will culminate in a major central event. The event will take place on May 22, 2025, where visitors will be able to learn about the park’s history, natural values and conservation achievements. There will also be the opportunity to explore Baradla Cave and other famous karst caves throughout the year, with a variety of themed tours.

Special tours will also be organized to mark the anniversary, offering an insight into the history and geological values of the park.

As part of this special year, the unique natural environment of the Aggtelek karst will also host two major concerts to celebrate the harmony between nature and culture.

In September, a prestigious scientific conference will also be held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage designation of the Aggtelek karst and its caves. The conference will present the latest results in cave exploration, geology and conservation, highlighting the international importance of the area.

A calendar of events for the jubilee year is available on the park’s official website and is constantly updated.

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