D’ya fancy a Pálinka in Gyula?
The 800-year old castle town of Gyula (say: d’you-luh) is a gem tucked away in southeast Hungary, and is consequently known as the gateway to Transylvania. The town’s symbol is the 600-year-old Gothic brick fortress, which harbors a renaissance castle museum. The inner-town of Gyula has been enhanced with new streets, fountains, garden seats and street lamps and is home to the well-known Anamorphosis statue and the World Clock.
Every year, one million people enjoy the healing effects of Gyula’s thermal waters in the most beautiful thermal bath in Hungary; the Castle Bath of Gyula, which boasts 19 pools in the 200 year-old, 8.5 hectare park of the Almássy Mansion. And did we mention that Gyula frequently offers a whole host of impressive cultural and fun programs for visitors?
Introducing the Gyula Pálinka Festival, which takes place every year in mid April. An exciting part of the festival is the National Pálinka Competition, which is sure to get you in the spirit (boom boom) as it always promises some spectacular entertainment. Participants from all across the Caprpathian Basin descend upon Gyula to enter the compeition with their home-distilled spirits. A panel of experts cast their tastebuds over the entries and the winner is honored with a special award.
Every year new members are inaugurated into the Order of Pálinka – and a procession is held by Hungarian wine orders. Many years ago, a tradition of clinking glasses together was born in Gyula. So at the Pálinka festival this tradition carries on: as a canon blasts from the castle, thousands of visitors enjoy their first sip (or gulp) of precious pálinka (that’s a strong distinctive Hungarian spirit made with fruits for those of you who don’t know).
The Feast of Slaughters is held alongside the Pálinka Festival too, and its aim is to highlight the traditions connected to pig-killing (or pig-sticking as it is sometimes called). We won’t tell you what it involves, I’m not sure we need to…
And now for the serious bit, as we’ll have you know that the Pálinka festival is a professional forum too, discussing all sorts of key themes connected to pálinka; think legal issues, marketing strategies, financial advice and so on.
So come on, get in the spirit and head to Gyula: soak up the town’s glorious atmosphere and be sure to soak up some fine pálinka too.
Dates: April 17-19
Getting there:
Gyula is 217 km from Budapest. By car, take the M5 motorway southeast, getting off after Kecskemeét onto highway 54 east. Turn onto highway 44 toward Békéscaba and Gyula. Trains leave regularly from Keleti station, changing trains in Békéscsaba.