Main Building and Aquarium Complex
In the main building of the Ecocentre, visitors are welcomed by a truly unique experience: the fascinating world of Lake Tisza and the River Tisza unfolds at close range, showcasing native Hungarian species in the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe.
Giant Aquarium
Below ground level, on floors -1 and -2 of the main building, stretches a spectacular multi-section aquarium system with a total volume of nearly one million litres. Here you can observe chub, carp, pike, asp, zander, catfish, bream and bleak species, dwarf catfish, silver carp and grass carp, among many others. The carefully designed décor evokes the underwater scenery of streams, rivers and lakes, giving visitors the impression of actually walking on the bed of a watercourse.
The Ecocentre’s largest giant aquarium alone holds 535,000 litres of water. Through a special underwater tunnel using distortion-free technology, you can admire sturgeons gliding gracefully almost 5 metres below the water surface, including beluga sturgeon, sterlet and other sturgeon species.
In addition to the fish, some of the most popular residents of the Ecocentre are the Asian small-clawed otters. These playful, lively animals can be seen in the aquarium area, and their feeding can be observed twice a day. For exact feeding times, please inquire at the Information Desk and listen out for announcements over the public address system.
3D Cinema
Our 50-seat 3D cinema uses innovative technology to draw viewers right into the action on the screen, allowing them to experience Lake Tisza in different seasons. The film’s main aim is to inspire visitors to discover the wonders of the aquatic world in real life after the screening. The 12-minute 3D film, titled “Four Seasons at Lake Tisza”, enriched with underwater and drone footage, reflects the Ecocentre’s mission: the natural values and beauty of Lake Tisza offer excellent programmes and recreation opportunities in all four seasons. The film is not only an image film about Poroszló and the Ecocentre, but also presents the diversity, values and scenic beauty of the entire Lake Tisza region.
During regular opening hours, the 12-minute Hungarian-language nature film is screened every 30 minutes (on the hour and half past the hour). For pre-booked groups arriving from abroad, screenings can also be arranged in English. Seats in the auditorium are unassigned and are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis.
In the evenings, especially at weekends and on public holidays, the screening room is transformed into a traditional cinema, showing 2D and 3D feature films and animated films according to a published schedule. Tickets for these screenings can be purchased in advance online. For detailed information and ticket purchase, please visit: www.poroszlomozi.hu.[6]
Night Forest – Amphibians and Reptiles of Hungary
On the ground floor of our main building – designed by Ybl Prize-winning architect László Kertai in the shape of a rising bird – you will find the “Night Forest” exhibition. Here you step from daylight into night, and in the soft glow symbolising the full moon you can observe special species living in spectacular terrariums. The daily rhythm is reversed: the amphibians’ habitats are artificially lit at night, so that is when they rest and hide away, while during the artificial “night-time” of the exhibition, they are active and feeding.
Due to the lighting conditions and the secretive lifestyle of the terrarium inhabitants, patience and attention are key to spotting the animals. It may happen that they are hidden among the terrarium decorations when you first pass by, while ten minutes later, on your way back, you can watch salamanders, frogs, lizards and snakes actively going about their lives.
The ground-floor exhibition area also features a huge satellite image map of Lake Tisza that visitors can walk on, offering a bird’s-eye view of the region. By pressing the buttons mounted on the pillars, illuminated points help guests identify the exact location of the settlements around the lake. In several places the exhibition floor is made of glass, allowing visitors to look down into the giant aquariums where huge sturgeons swim literally beneath their feet.
Along the corridor surrounding the exhibition, large information panels present the state of the River Tisza before river regulation, the history of the famous Tisza floods, as well as the purposes and operation of the Kisköre Dam and hydropower plant.
Macro Room – Earth Info
On the first floor, our Macro Room introduces visitors to the world of tiny creatures, proving that the macro world is full of fascinating phenomena. Using the 3D slide viewers installed in the room, you can enjoy exceptional images of our planet and world-famous natural landscapes in 64-million-pixel resolution.
By solving a giant jigsaw puzzle, visitors can complete a large wall picture, with questions and answers about the natural values of Lake Tisza providing helpful clues. On the interactive touch-screen terminal, you can browse text and image content on environmental protection, nature conservation and global environmental issues, presented in a sometimes shocking but always thought-provoking way.
In the Macro Room, visitors can play two different offline nature-themed computer games. Just outside the Macro Earth Info Room, a coin-press machine allows everyone to create their own “Ecocentre souvenir” by choosing from four different designs.
Rooftop Terrace
On the rooftop terrace on the second floor of the main building, nature photography enthusiasts can enjoy the exhibition “Eden in Every Image” by photographer Tibor Jakab.
Panoramic Observation Tower
In the tower of the main building, at the height of the 7th floor, a spacious observation terrace – also accessible by lift – offers a stunning panorama of the different basins of Lake Tisza and the surrounding landscape. In clear weather, the view extends all the way to the Northern Mountain Range.
More active visitors can climb the stairs to the top, discovering along the way a photo exhibition about the history and construction of the Ecocentre on each landing. At the top, an overview map helps with orientation, and small signs indicate the straight-line distance from Poroszló to several world-famous locations.
Conference Room
The Tisza Lake Ecocentre’s conference room on the first floor of the main building provides a unique venue for conferences, meetings, lectures and workshops. Its ideal capacity is 80–100 participants. Modern equipment and the stunning natural surroundings of Lake Tisza ensure that every professional, academic or other event held here is of high quality, pleasant and truly memorable.
The conference room is equipped with a laptop, fixed projector, large projection screen and flexible mobile sound system that can be arranged according to requirements. For event bookings, please request a quote at info@ttoc.hu.
Playroom
Also located on the first floor, the “Enchanted Aquatic World” playroom offers carefree fun for children in both good and bad weather. The playroom is available to our younger guests up to the age of 12.