Large-scale investments, developments and significant cultural programs are being implemented, and works of art are being created in connection with the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács in 1526, announced the ministerial commissioner responsible for the tasks at a press conference in the city on the banks of the Danube.
János Hargitai (KDNP Party), the region’s member of parliament and ministerial commissioner responsible for tasks related to the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács (southeast Hungary), recalled that the government has made a number of decisions on investments related to the commemorative year, and last year the National Assembly also passed a law on the memory of the heroes of the Battle of Mohács.
The legislation establishing the framework for the commemorations and developments honors the Hungarian, Czech, Croatian, German, and Serbian heroes of Mohács who defended our country and Central Europe, and who set an example for future generations with their love of country, exemplary behavior, and self-sacrifice.
He announced that
several major developments related to the commemorative year, confirmed by government decisions and supported by funding, have already been launched or will be launched in Mohács in the coming years.
In terms of regional development, the section of the M6 motorway running alongside the city to the Croatian border has been completed, and work is underway on nearly 30 kilometers of new roads, including the four-lane section between the motorway and Mohács, as well as the country’s largest bridge development, and preparations are underway to connect Villány to the motorway.
These investments will enable Mohács to shake off its “end-of-the-line” character.
It will become an important intersection of east-west and north-south transit routes spanning regions and countries, which will significantly increase the value of the city and its surroundings, he emphasized, adding that among the investments related to memory politics, the national memorial site, the memorial chapel in the city, and major urban rehabilitation developments will also take place.
The 500th anniversary celebrations will be organized in such a way as to provide an overview of the 1687 battle of Nagyharsány, which resulted in the expulsion of the Turks, i.e., the second battle of Mohács. The Mohács region is not only a symbol of national tragedy, but also of victory over an empire that ruled the Balkans and Hungarian lands for half a millennium,
he said.
The ministerial commissioner announced that cultural content, including works of visual art, music, and theater, will be created in connection with the commemorative year. He also considered it important to emphasize that the 47th Tour de Hongrie cycling race will start in Mohács, commemorating the 500th anniversary of one of the most significant battles in Hungarian history. Competitors will head towards the finish line in Pécs and Mecsek, passing through the site of the second battle.
Gábor Pávkovics (Fidesz–KDNP politician), mayor of the city, said that most of their investment goals will be achieved with the support of the government in connection with the anniversary year.
Among the developments, he highlighted that the complete renovation of the Battlefield Memorial Chapel, decorated with Dorfmeister frescoes, and the development of the surrounding infrastructure have already begun at a cost of HUF 2.2 billion, but the entire city center of Mohács will be renovated, including Széchenyi Square and the surrounding streets, as well as the arcade commemorating the heroes of the Votive Church, the town hall, and a parking garage, at a total cost of HUF 10 billion (EUR 26 million).
Later, by the end of the decade, the Danube promenade will be renovated and a hotel will be built on the riverbank, as Mohács wants to place great emphasis on strengthening the tourism sector in the coming years, he said.
He emphasized that a civil competition with a budget of HUF 100 million (EUR 264 591) has already been announced in the field of cultural and artistic programs, but a rock musical entitled “Mohács 500” is also in the works. There will be a choir meeting with the choirs of the nations that took part in the battle, short films are being made, and study competitions, light music, and traditional ethnic programs will be organized during 2026.
Gábor Móczár, director general of the National Heritage Institute (NÖRI), announced that during the complete renovation of the memorial site in Sátorhely, a 1,200-square-meter underground, modern, interactive exhibition space will be created, while the remains of nearly 500 heroes found in the area will be laid to rest in the crypt of the chapel in the park.
The burial memorials, headstones, and idols will be renovated, while works of art will be placed in the corners of the circular plaza, and a wall of heroes will be built, on which the names of those who fought in the battle will be inscribed, he said.
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Via hirado.hu; Featured image: Hungary Today
