Step through the main gates of the Bikali Élménybirtok (Bikal Experience Estate), and you’re instantly swept several centuries into the past. Located at the foot of the Mecsek Mountains, in a landscape of rolling hills and ancient trees, the 35-acre Puchner Estate isn’t just a historic venue—it’s a vibrant, interactive medieval village welcoming families, adventure-seekers, and history buffs alike.
Within the estate’s fortress-like walls, time travel becomes more than just a fantasy. Guests pass under four sturdy gates into the bustling medieval old town, where actors, animators, artisans, and horse riders bring historical legends, traditional crafts, and festive hospitality to life. Whether it’s children marveling at armored knights or adults exploring time-honored skills at the crafts workshops, the air is thick with adventure.
Autumn Adventure Blitz for the Whole Family
Between October 27 and November 2, the Experience Estate offers its “Autumn Break Experience Extravaganza.” Families can expect a burst of color and creativity, featuring both beloved classics and exciting new programs. Children and adults mingle with knights, master craftsmen, and the gentle furry or feathered residents of the petting zoo.
A dedicated indoor playhouse, “Uni’s World,” keeps little ones entertained rain or shine, while scavenger hunts like “Secret Signs, Enchanted Places” invite everyone to crack codes and solve riddles throughout the estate. As the day winds down, the Main Arena hosts an action-packed horseback show, conjuring real medieval flair with thrilling skill and pageantry.
The theater also raises its curtain for the premiere of “A fegyverhordozó – egy másik Don Quijote történet” (“The Squire – Another Don Quixote Tale”). This fresh take on the classic story is told through the eyes of Sancho, Don Quixote’s loyal companion, laced with humor, and performed masterfully by Orlik István (Luke).
Visitors can create unique keepsakes at Ilona and Anikó’s crafts workshop—personalized decorations and charming home accents, crafting a memory to take home. If hunger strikes, the Medieval Tavern offers steaming drinks and hearty roasts, ready to satisfy even the hungriest explorer.
Halloween Pumpkin Festival – Spooks and Laughs for All
On October 31, the Experience Estate transforms into a haven of mischief for its Halloween Pumpkin Festival. The whole family can enjoy pumpkin carving contests, magic potion workshops in the Witch’s Kitchen, and a pumpkin archery competition to channel every guest’s inner Robin Hood.
Other must-sees include costumed dance-offs, medieval knightly duels, magical stand-up by Zina the Witch, and live music from the Szelindek band. The highlight is the premiere staging of “Kalandozás a Csillagszemű juhásszal” (“Adventures with the Shepherd with Sparkling Eyes”). Youngsters can unleash their creativity all day, and the best costumes—whether funny, clever, or scary—win enticing prizes.
Feast Like Nobility: St. Martin’s Day Gourmet Gala
November 8 brings an unmissable culinary event: the St. Martin’s Day Chef Dinner. Lasting about two and a half hours, the four-course feast celebrates goose-centered traditions, paired with carefully selected wines and live music woven between courses.
Chef János-Deák Tibor crafts a menu that reimagines classic flavors as modern delights. Begin with duck liver mousse, rosemary cherry ragout, and toasted brioche. The soup is a rich goose consommé with stuffed neck and dumplings. For the main course, enjoy goose breast, beetroot-cabbage purée, honeyed sweet potato with sesame, fennel, and pomegranate demi-glace. Finish with chocolate cake, pistachio cream, sour cherry gel, and macarons. Each dish is perfectly matched with one of three complementary wines.
Service begins with a musical flourish at 5:45 PM, with dinner starting at 6:00 PM. Diners are serenaded by Boudny Lídia Ágnes and Orlik István (Luke), creating a multisensory feast that echoes the grandeur of medieval and Renaissance banquets.
More Than a Day Trip
Throughout the autumn and winter, the Experience Estate offers weekly programs—from traditional crafts to story-driven performances—where everyone can spark their curiosity and sense of wonder. Don’t worry about the weather; many activities are indoors or take place rain or shine.
The Puchner Estate itself is a destination—with the fairytale-like Experience Estate next to the stately castle hotel, surrounded by forests and inviting valleys. After a full day of time travel, the legendary White Swan Inn, just steps from the South Gate and beside Swan Lake, entices guests with the aromas of roasted meats and rustic medieval-style decor.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so visitors can expect something new with every trip through the gates into another age.
