Historic Turkish bath in Hungary transformed into Turkish–Hungarian friendship park
A historic Turkish bath unearthed during archaeological excavations in the Hungarian town of Törökkoppány has been transformed into the Turkish–Hungarian Friendship Park. The town’s name itself — meaning “Turkish Koppány” — has preserved the reference to “Turk” since the Ottoman era and is even mentioned in Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname.
The park’s inauguration ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Budapest, Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, alongside several Hungarian officials. Both Turkish and Hungarian flags were displayed during the opening event, symbolizing the deep historical ties between the two nations.
In her speech, Ambassador Ekşioğlu emphasized that throughout history, the Turkish and Hungarian peoples have been connected not by hostility but by peace, friendship, and mutual respect. She expressed her gratitude to the Hungarian authorities for their care and cooperation in preserving and restoring the shared cultural heritage.
Törökkoppány Mayor György Varga and Somogy Regional Council Vice President Adrian Szacjz noted their intention to integrate the Turkish bath monument and its surrounding area into the town’s everyday cultural and social life, turning it into a lively event space.
Meanwhile, the town square also hosts a statue of Gül Baba, placed there in 2001 through the efforts of former Turkish Ambassador Ender Arat, further reflecting the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
