Hódmezővásárhely is a town having the second largest administrative area in Hungary and also one of the economic, cultural and art centers in the southern region of the Great Plain. There are written memories from the 13th century that the two villages of Hód and Vásárhely became one already in the Middle Ages and belonged to the landed property of János Hunyadi. Thanks to the dynamic development during both the reform era and the dualism the cosy centre of the town was established and it was at that time that Kossuth Square consisting mostly of original buildings even today was built. Since the changes of the regime the main aim has been to make it a pleasant place to live in and to preserve the traditional values, the local features in the time of globalization.
The aspect of the town has been transformed to a great extent due to the infrastructural developments and besides this cultural and artistic life is showing unbroken prosperity. Hódmezővásárhely is the island of peace ensuring the possibility of pleasant, civilized and qualitative life.
The cultural roots and traditions of Hódmezővásárhely are very rich. Folk-art is unique in the city and its surroundings. The rich patterns of the embroidery, the variety of folk pottery and the hand-made work of wood carvers and leather goods makers preserve the past even today.
The calm and the beauty of the countryside have always attracted artists as well, thus an important and colourful art-life has developed here. The well-known Autumn Exhibition in each October has been organized for more than five decades.
Hódmezővásárhely is the first Hungarian member of Cittaslow International, the International Network of Cities where Living is Easy. 200 towns and cities of more than 30 countries all over the world belong to the Cittaslow movement, the association of settlements convenient to live in. The purpose of the movement is to protect the local values, to use solutions and technologies which develop the quality of environment of city-life, to create living conditions required for citizens and to preserve the unique values and traditions featuring the town. 
The protection of the traditional relations of production rooting in culture and traditions is a must and at the same time the attainment of social awareness has to be stimulated. We should consider the quality of our environment to a greater extent and by this it is possible to reach a higher level of conditions on several fields of life which can lead to the creation of a development policy based on the own identity of the town. Hódmezővásárhely has been the only Hungarian member town of Cittaslow movement since 2010.
Contact:
Municipality of Hódmezővásárhely
H-6800 Hódmezővásárhely, Kossuth sq. 1.
Mayor: Peter Marki-Zay
Phone: +36 62 530 139
Fax: +36 62 530 140
For further information about the town of Hódmezővásárhely, please contact the local Tourinform Office (hodmezovasarhely##kukac##tourinform.hu, +36 62 249 350) or Benedek Béres international referent (beres.benedek##kukac##hodmezovasarhely.hu, +36 62 530 139).