Discover Orfű: Mills, Crafts and Nature

Mills and hands-on crafts

Guided tours of the Orfű Mills introduce visitors to the history and workings of the three mills. At the papermaking workshop, visitors can see the individual steps involved in making paper. Anyone who would like to make paper themselves can do so in a workshop by booking in advance; check the current arrangements before your visit.

The displayed hand mills are also part of the experience at the Orfű Mills: they are more than a hundred years old and visitors can try them out. At the Orfű Handicraft Association, children and adults can discover and try traditional crafts for themselves. These include pottery, wood carving, basket weaving, felting and leatherwork. As the current programme may vary, it is advisable to check availability in advance.

Walking trail, cycling route and cave

The Vízfő Spring nature trail is just under one kilometre long and starts at the car park of the Orfű Mill Museum. If you would rather explore by bike, you can follow a described route: it runs along a paved cycle path around Lake Pécs, then follows the Tekeres nature trail and cycle path, and returns to Orfű through the streets of Kovácsszénája. Check the route details before setting off, as published route information may change.

In the wider regional area, on the western shore of Lake Orfű, at the foot of a cliff almost ten metres high, lies the Mészégető Spring Cave. The cave system has passages of various sizes and an active stream.

Other cultural and nature destinations in Baranya

In the wider Baranya travel region, Pécs offers important cultural attractions. The Early Christian Necropolis of Sopianae comprises decorated tombs dating from the 4th century. They were built as underground burial chambers with above-ground memorial chapels and adorned with richly detailed Christian murals. The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter adds to this insight into the city’s history with the “Golden Age of Zsolnay” and “Pink Exhibition” displays, as well as an exhibition on the family and factory history. Attractions for children include outdoor playgrounds, an interactive lab, a planetarium, the Bóbita Puppet Theatre, a ceramics painting workshop and classes at the Hercules Workshop. The quarter’s freely accessible outdoor area can be entered and used free of charge during opening hours; check the latest opening information in advance.

Baranya also offers a range of attractions beyond Pécs. Siklós Castle is considered one of Hungary’s best-preserved military complexes and one of the country’s most significant Renaissance buildings. Modernisation of the museum wing also opened up the Gothic section, which had previously been inaccessible to visitors.

Near Szaporca, the Ős-Dráva Visitor Centre features an interactive exhibition, a demonstration farm with practical farming activities and three themed nature trails. They offer insights into traditional farming, the Ős-Dráva Programme and the wildlife along the Drava. The farming area is home to native Hungarian domestic animals, including Hungarian Grey cattle, Mangalica pigs, Hucul horses, and old breeds of sheep and poultry. The wilderness trail along the Old Drava also has a birdwatching and bird-ringing station, a viewpoint, a photography hide, a covered activity area and several rest stops.

For a different focus, head to Villány: along the wine cellar row, you can go from cellar to cellar all year round and sample wines and delicious food. These destinations and experiences are part of Baranya and should be considered separately from the experiences in Orfű described above.

For the wider travel overview: Pécsi.

More destinations

More places in the same travel region:

Cserkút, Pellérd.