On 28 March 2026, a community action day in Sárisáp marked an important milestone in the RurALL project: the local eco-placemaking intervention brought together residents and the municipality to create the first station of a new village walking trail (Faluséta).
Sárisáp is a traditional mining village, where local identity is deeply rooted in its industrial past and strong community ties. The initiative — developed jointly by the municipality and local residents — aims to highlight and celebrate these values through a series of connected locations across the town.
A shared vision takes shape
The new walking trail will start from the Main Square and include 12 stations, each telling a story about the town’s past and present.
The first station — developed during this community action day — marks an important starting point, both physically and symbolically. It represents how local knowledge, memory, and collaboration can come together to shape meaningful public spaces.
Volunteers worked together to construct and install the station, while also improving and beautifying its immediate surroundings. The atmosphere of the day reflected a strong sense of cooperation, with residents and local stakeholders contributing their time, skills, and ideas to bring the project to life.
Stories embedded in the landscape
The village walk is designed not only as a physical route, but as a narrative journey through Sárisáp’s identity.
Along the trail, visitors will encounter stories of the village’s proud mining heritage — a defining element of local life — as well as significant events that have shaped the community's collective memory. These include a tragic explosion accident that deeply affected the town and remains an important part of its shared history.
The route also connects to natural heritage. One of the planned stations (Station 10) will be located near a particularly valuable and rare natural site in Hungary: a nesting area of the European bee-eater (locally known as gyurgyalag, Merops apiaster), a colourful and protected bird species.
Eco-placemaking as a tool for connection
This intervention demonstrates how eco-placemaking can go beyond environmental improvements to also strengthen cultural identity and social cohesion.
By linking places, stories, and people, the Sárisáp village walk creates new opportunities for residents to connect with their environment — and with each other.
The collaborative creation of the first station sets the tone for the project's future: a process built on local pride, shared responsibility, and active participation.
As the trail continues to develop, it will not only guide visitors through the village but also reinforce a deeper understanding of what makes Sárisáp unique.
