There are few city names in Hungary that are as concrete and yet as mysterious as Szarvas. At first glance, it seems obvious: it must have something to do with the animal. But is that really the case? And if so, exactly how?
There are many theories and stories surrounding the origin of the name Szarvas - together they give the special atmosphere that still surrounds Szarvas today.
Origin of the name Szarvas as a personal name
A lesser-known theory, but one that is taken seriously by historians, is that „Szarvas” may have originally been a personal name.
In the Middle Ages, it was common for a settlement to be named after its founder or its owner. The name „Szarvas” existed as a personal name in the old Hungarian name system, so it is possible that the name of the settlement was associated with a person of this name.
This theory is less popular, but it is historically very logical.
Szarvas as an adjective – a lesser-known theory
A long time ago (even though I already had internet on my phone), as I lay on the private dock at Palov’s Guesthouse, this question crossed my mind as well. I pulled out my phone and started searching. I found the theories described in this article, but I also found another one:
A The secrets of Szarvas In our article titled […], we’ve already written about the formation of the Holt-Körös, but before people intervened in this circular, unbridled, and unregulated flow of water, a bird’s-eye view revealed a landscape full of „horns,” horn-like bends. This is how this town—where the landscape itself shaped the most “horned” part of the Körös—came to be known as Szarvas, as an adjective.
We also had a family discussion about this theory, as I still can't find the source where I read it, but I'm sure I didn't dream up this theory (my brain is just not that creative 🙂 )
The simplest explanation: a name associated with deer
The most obvious explanation is that the settlement was named after the deer that once lived here in large numbers. The Körös region used to be a much wilder area of woodland and meadows, providing an ideal habitat for big game.
In this interpretation, the origin of the name “Szarvas” is simple: a place where deer were common. This way of naming a settlement is not unusual in Hungary.
The deer as a symbol in Szarvas
The origin of the name Szarvas is not only a matter of historical interest, it has become an active part of the city's identity. The deer even appears in the town's coat of arms.
There are several places in the city where you can find depictions of and references to deer. One of the best-known is the deer statue, which does justice to the animal for which the city is named,
In addition, various urban cultural building decorations, symbols and even the atmosphere of events. It is not uncommon for visitors to „seek out” these details as they walk around the city, discovering the presence of the deer in new forms. This motif subtly links the city's past with the present and gives Szarvas a unified, easily recognisable image. Perhaps that is why the place is so memorable for so many - Szarvas is not just a name, it is on almost every corner.
What does the Tessedik Samuel Museum say about the history of Szarvas?
If you'd like to gain a deeper understanding of the city's history, it's worth visiting the exhibitions at the Sámuel Tessedik Museum.
Although there is no single room dedicated exclusively to the origins of the name „Szarvas”, the local history exhibitions do contain information and periods that help to put the name "Szarvas" into context.
Szarvas - more than just a good-sounding city name
Behind the name Szarvas lie not only interesting stories and different explanations, but also an atmosphere you can truly understand only by visiting. Whether the name is linked to deer, an old personal name or the bends of the Körös, each interpretation adds something to what Szarvas means today. And that meaning is found not in books, but in the streets of the town, in the on the water and in the closeness of nature.
If you'd like to not only imagine it, but experience it, spend a few days here at the Palov's Guest House, from where you can conveniently explore All the leisure destinations in Szarvas, and where the history of the city becomes a personal experience almost imperceptibly.
