This small Danube port town holds significance in Hungarian history as the site of two major battles in 1526 and 1687. Local folk traditions include the Busó carnival.
Mohács, a town of 17,000 people on the Danube River bank in southern Hungary, comes alive during the February Busójárás carnival with masked performers and folk music. You can visit the 18th-century Baroque Protestant church, watch local artisans carve wooden masks in their workshops, or walk through the Battle of Mohács memorial park where 1,700 soldiers rest.
The Busójárás Carnival
Each February, more than 500 people wearing wooden masks and woolly cloaks gather in Mohács for the Busójárás carnival. The performers arrive in rowboats across the Danube and march through the streets alongside decorated vehicles and musicians. During the six-day celebration, you can watch mask-carving demonstrations, join children's costume contests, and witness the winter-burning ceremony in the town square. While the celebration originated within the local Croatian community, today all cultural groups in Mohács participate in the festivities.
Religious Architecture
The town center has four distinct churches. The 18th-century Baroque Protestant church stands with its white facade and bell tower, while the Roman Catholic church from 1776 displays ornate altar pieces and ceiling frescoes. The Serbian Greek Orthodox church contains gilded icons and an iconostasis, and the 1926 votive church combines neo-Gothic elements with modern design. All churches maintain active congregations and hold regular services.
Cultural Sites and Museums
At the Kanizsai Dorottya Museum, you'll find weapons and armor from the 1526 Battle of Mohács, along with exhibits documenting the town's growth from medieval times to present day. The Saint Nicolas water-mill and tread-mill show how grain processing worked in the 19th century. Throughout town, artisans work in open workshops where you can observe pottery making and mask carving, with opportunities to purchase their creations.
The Danube Port
From the port, you can watch cargo ships load and unload goods, while river cruise ships dock with travelers exploring the Danube region. Walking paths along the waterfront give you views of barges and boats moving up and down the river. During Busójárás, the port transforms into a launching point for masked performers who cross the river in traditional wooden boats, marking the start of the carnival celebrations.
