The great grassland plains that sweep out of eastern Hungary are home to an array of unusual animals and farming practices. Flamboyant csikos horsemen are the region's cowboys, famed for their horseback tricks.
Hortobagy National Park, Hungary —
The great grassland plains that sweep out of eastern Hungary are home to an array of unusual animals and farming practices. Flamboyant csikos horsemen are the region's cowboys, famed for their horseback tricks.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com
Hungarian gray cattle are an ancient breed indigenous to the country's natural grasslands. They're instantly recognizable thanks to their prodigious horns.
Hungarian gray cattle —
Hungarian gray cattle are an ancient breed indigenous to the country's natural grasslands. They're instantly recognizable thanks to their prodigious horns.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com
Hungary's racka sheep have long spiraling horns and, in some breeds, a dreadlocked fleece. The animals are farmed for their wool, milk and meat.
Racka sheep —
Hungary's racka sheep have long spiraling horns and, in some breeds, a dreadlocked fleece. The animals are farmed for their wool, milk and meat.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com
The 800-square-kilometer Hortobagy National Park was awarded World Heritage status in 1999. It's still maintained by centuries-old farming practices.
Ancient farming land —
The 800-square-kilometer Hortobagy National Park was awarded World Heritage status in 1999. It's still maintained by centuries-old farming practices.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com
These hairy porkers are just one of many "curly" local breeds. Hungarians are known for their love of frizzy animals. Pigeons, geese and dogs have all been given the perm treatment through selective breeding.
Magalica pigs —
These hairy porkers are just one of many "curly" local breeds. Hungarians are known for their love of frizzy animals. Pigeons, geese and dogs have all been given the perm treatment through selective breeding.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com
Ponds dug by hand in the early-20th century for rearing fish near Hortobagy have since reverted to wilderness. They're now one of Europe's most important wetlands, providing a home to birds such as spoonbills.
Hortobagy fishponds —
Ponds dug by hand in the early-20th century for rearing fish near Hortobagy have since reverted to wilderness. They're now one of Europe's most important wetlands, providing a home to birds such as spoonbills.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com
Herds of rare Przewalski's horses and wild asses are among species left to roam free on the national park's grasslands.
Przewalski's horses —
Herds of rare Przewalski's horses and wild asses are among species left to roam free on the national park's grasslands.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com
In the fall, tens of thousands of cranes congregate at Hortobagy's fishponds, prompting a festival in their honor.
Crane migration —
In the fall, tens of thousands of cranes congregate at Hortobagy's fishponds, prompting a festival in their honor.
Courtesy of GoToDebrecen.com