Baja Tourist Attractions
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The tranquil summer resort of Baja, 160km (100mi.) south of Budapest and 20km (13mi) from the Serbian border, is surrounded by water - by the Danube, the Kamarás Danube (called Sugovica by Croatian settlers known as the Bunyevaz) and a further small arm of the Danube. The bridges over the Danube make Baja an important rail and road center and a flourishing commercial town. The town has a long tradition of weaving, and the more modern meat factory processes about one thousand pigs every day; electrical and furniture industries also play an important role.The town shows many signs of the influence of the Serbs and Croats who settled here after the Turks had been driven out. In addition to the Bunyevaz a considerable number of "Danube Swabians" from southwest Germany live here, and one of the six high schools is German-speaking.
Holy Trinity Square
The center of Baja, the Szentháromság tér, opens onto the Sugovica with Petofi Island beyond it; of the buildings on the other three sides (18th C town houses in the 18th C plait style), particular mention must be made of the Town Hall (No. 1), an 18th C Baroque palace built for the Grassalkovich family and rebuilt in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1896. On the square in front of it stands a Late Baroque Trinity Column with figures of the four evangelists.
István Nagy Art Gallery
The István Nagy Art Gallery (Nagy István Képtár) was built in the early years of this century in the neo-classical style as a mansion for the respected Vojnich family, and now houses an important collection of Hungarian art. The major artist represented is István Nagy (1873-1937), who painted landscapes and rural subjects in the constructivist realist style and who worked in Baja for a number of years and bequeathed his pictures to the gallery.
István Türr Museum
This museum is devoted to life by the Danube together with modern Hungarian art. It was named after a famous son of the town (1825-1908) who fought with General Garibaldi in the struggle for a unified Italy and later made a name for himself as an hydraulic engineer, assisting in the construction of the Panama and Corinth canals and others in the Hungarian lowlands. A statue of him stands at the entrance to the museum which is built in the neo-classical style.
Petofi Island
Petofi Island (Petofi-sziget) is the town's tourist center, containing a stadium, swimming-pool, the Sugovica Hotel and a beautifully situated camp site; walks through the forest are most relaxing, and this is also a favorite spot with anglers and sailing and rowing enthusiasts.The viewing tower at the confluence of the Danube and the Sugovica provides a fine view over the countryside. Also worth a visit is the Bunyevaj local history museum in Bajaszentiván, a suburb of Baja.
Synagogue
The magnificent synagogue was built in the neo-classical style in 1845, that is to say, prior to the emancipation of the Jews in Hungary in 1867. In the Second World War most of the Jewish population were killed; since 1985 the building has housed the regional library and the interior decoration has been carefully restored.
Franciscan Church of St Anton
The Franciscan church of St Anton and the convent were built in the Baroque style in the 18th C. In the garden of the church (Déri Garden) stands a statue of the agonized Virgin Mary as well as busts of famous men born in Baja.
Serbian Church
The Late Baroque Greek-Orthodox Serbian church was built in 1790 with donations from worshippers. The holy paintings on the chancel screen are by the well-known Serbian artist Arsenije Teodorovich (1768-1826).
