The northern part of the Hungarian Plain in called the Puszta, now a unique area of natural wonder, containing the country’s second largest lake, Lake Tisza. This was the land of the Jazyges, whose tribes arrived during the 13^th century to settle along the River Zagyva. Further to the south, lies the land of the nomadic Cumans and also historic towns, once populated by Haiduk soldiers of the Transylvanian Prince Istvan Bocskai.

Most ancient forests and settlements were destroyed in the 13^th century, the invading Mongols burnt woodland and villages, forcing the inhabitants to seek rescue in walled towns. The abandoned landscape becoming a desert.

To the west this immense flat expanse is bounded the River Danube, and to the east by Hungary’s second largest river, the Tisza, and the Eastern territories.

Towns and villages in the region are very different in character from those in other parts of Hungary. Debrecan is the largest economic and cultural centre of the regions beyond the Tisza. Know as Calvinist Rome having been at the heart of the Reformation. Famous also is Debrecan College, which is an outstanding institution of European education.

Landscape of the Puszta, as known today, has been changed over the centuries by human invasion, all part of the turbulent history of Hungary.

Horseman of the Puszta are renowned for their equestrian skills, and indeed it is these riders on spirited horses, in wide open spaces herding wide-horned cattle which they famous for breeding. Riding, herding, cooking goulash in cauldrons, conquers up many romantic and mysterious ideas of the Great Plain, simply summed up in the one word "puszta".

Shepherds and their dogs, pulis and komondos, shared the territory, caring for and herding the sheep. The puli became a shepherds assistant and companion, his worth so great it is said a shepherd would pay a years wage for a good dog.

Hungarian Pulis

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