Northern Great Plain
The Hortobágy National Park, part of the Great Plain, is the largest natural grassland in Europe. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999; its admission is due to the large number of animal species, especially birds, and the untouched steppe-like nature. The symbol of Hortobágy is the Nine-holed bridge, built in Classicist style between 1827 and 1833, and is the first stone bridge in Hungary.
Hortobágy is home to many typical Hungarian folklore traditions, such as horseback riding. The animals that are bred here are typically kept for reasons of tourism and gene preservation: the Hungarian shepherd dogs such as the mudi, the puli, the pumi, the kuvasz and the komondor are very popular and clever pets. The so-called grey cattle is also a Hungarian animal, bred since the arrival of the Hungarians in the 9th century.
