Northern Hungary

Northern Hungary
The highest hills in Hungary are situated in the northern part of the country. The ridges of the Cserhát, Mátra, Bükk and Zempléni mountains hold incomparable natural, cultural and historical treasures.

UNESCO considered three places in the area to be worth preserving as a part of the World Heritage program. The folk art of this region has extraordinarily colorful forms: Palóc embroideries and Matyó costumes are unparalleled in the country. The health spas are visited by rheumatic patients.

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North Hungary Regional Marketing Directorate
3300 Eger, Dobó tér 9.
Phone: 36-512-440, Fax: 36-512-446
E-mail: emrmi@hungarytourism.hu
Website: www.nordtur.hu

Aggtelek National Park
Aggtelek National Park contains one of Europe's largest stalactite caves. The Baradla Cave is a World Heritage site and, according to scientists, is one of the world's most wonderful geographic phenomena. Tours are conducted from the three entrances of the cave. The Cave Museum presents the history of the Aggtelek karst (limestone). The site has been an international biosphere reserve since 1979. An additional artificial entrance to the world-famous cave has been opened in Jósvafõ. This enchanting little mountain village, reached by meandering roads, is criss-crossed by the Jósva Stream.

Bükk Mountains
The most scenic parts of the Bükk Mountains are the Bükk Plateau and the rocky crags rising around it. These crags have names such as Istállós-kõ, Tar-kõ and Õr-kõ. Nearby caves feature world-famous prehistoric archaeological finds.

Lillafüred-Szilvásvárad
One of the most spectacular holiday resorts in the country, Lillafüred, is on the shore of the Hámori Lake, surrounded by mountains. Lillafüred can be reached from Miskolc by road and by light railway. Its romantic atmosphere is enhanced by the fabulous Hotel Palota. Two caves offer a special experience to lovers of nature.

In summer you can take a light railway excursion on the most popular route through Bükk National Park, the 5-kilometre long, wonderful Szalajka Valley. The railway starts from Szilvásvárad. The train takes you to the amazing Fátyol [Veil] Waterfalls. The nearby Open-air Forest Museum gives an insight into the life of the charcoal manufacturers who lived here in the 19th century.

The world-famous Lippizaner stud of the Viennese Spanish Riding School grazes at nearby Csipkéskút. The flora of Bükk is exhibited in the Orbán House. The former Pallavicini Palace, standing in the middle of the wild park, functions as a hotel, surrounded by holiday houses.

Miskolc and surroundings
Miskolc, the third largest town in the country, is known for its industrial traditions as well as its rich history and culture. Its monuments are of outstanding interest: the Greek Orthodox Church is decorated with the largest iconostasis in Central Europe. The Avas Hill is known for its wine cellars. The Avas lookout tower offers a panorama of the city. There are 18th century Baroque buildings such as the Minorite Church and Monastery, the Lutheran Church and the Church of Mindszenty. The 17th century House of Rákóczi houses the Gallery of Miskolc. This institution presents the life-work of famous Hungarian graphic artists born in the city. The gallery of the Ottó Herman Museum and the mineral collection are also worth a visit.

The medieval, four-tower Diósgyõr Castle was the dowry of Hungarian queens. The exhibition in the round tower and the annual historical castle show in August recall those times.

In neighbouring Újmassa, the Massa Museum presents the history of Diósgyõr iron production. The Garadna trout farm, the ruins of the Pauline Monastery in Szentlélek, the Bánkút ski centre and the lookout places of the Bükk Mountains are worthwhile possible excursions.

Miskolctapolca`s thermal cave bath is a natural formation. The water, rich in minerals, and the crystalline air of the cave have a healing effect on heart and vascular, rheumatic and respiratory disorders. Bathing here is an awesome experience, thanks to the special light effects, the underground stream and the bubble bath. Boating is relaxing on the scenic lake encircled by wild trees. Eger
Eger, the thousand-year-old Episcopal seat, is one of the most beautiful Baroque towns in the country. With an illustrious historical past and a valuable heritage of monuments and buildings, Eger is also known as the `Town of Patriotism`. In 1552, István Dobó, the castle commander, held out for over a month with his tiny company against the Turkish troops. This was a frontier castle during the Turkish era.

The Castle contains the István Dobó Castle Museum which displays the history of the town. Other relics from the 150 year-long Turkish occupation are the Minaret and the famous Turkish Bath with its open-air pools. Open all year round, the therapeutic water is recommended for the healing of rheumatic diseases.

The classical Cathedral has the largest organ in the country. The late Baroque Lyceum -today a teacher training college- has one of the most beautiful libraries in Hungary. The Spekula Observatory astronomical museum is located in the library tower. The Archiepiscopal Palace contains 250 year-old historical treasures.

Széchenyi Street, the town's pedestrian street, has many restaurants, brasseries and terraced confectioneries. Eger is also the town of wine. The excellent red and white wines of the famous historic wine district are sold in cellars which are hundreds of years old. Visit the Szépasszony Valley where cellars are dug into the porous rock. You can also taste the world-famous Bikavér (Bull's Blood) of Eger. The Palóc Folklore Exhibition offers a survey of the ethnography of the region.

Hollókõ
Hollókõ is secluded among the ridges of the Cserhát Mountains. It has remarkably preserved its medieval structure. The centre is a living museum village. It was the first village to be included by UNESCO on the World Heritage List of protected heritage sites. Exhibitions include the Post Museum, the Weaving House, the House of Crafts and the Village Museum. Visitors may stay in several of the houses. The 13th century castle on the hill next to the village offers a wonderful panoramic view.

Mátra Mountain
The "top" of Hungary is the Kékes, a 1014-metre high Mátra Mountains peak. The unparalleled panorama can be seen from the television tower lookout. There is a winter sports centre and a health-resort. The nearby hotel at Galyatetõ welcomes guests all year round. The excellent quality of the air helps convalescence after various illnesses. Mátrafüred, Mátraháza and Mátraszentimre - are favorite destinations for rural tourism.

Matyóland
The inhabitants of the "Matyóland", the villages Mezõkövesd, Tard and Szentistván, are famous for two things: the preservation of their Catholic faith in a Protestant environment and their especially colorful costumes. On the fresco of the Roman Catholic Church the Blessed Virgin is pictured in Matyó costume, which is a rarity in church art. The wonderful embroidery can be seen at the Kiss Janko Bori House at Mezõkövesd. The Machine Museum has the country`s largest agricultural machinery collection. The excellent Zsóri Bath can be found at the edge of the town.

Palócland
Parád, the center of the "Palócland", is one of the oldest thermal resorts of the country. Its colorful folk costumes are typified by the characteristic fabric hood, woven in a rich set of patterns. The 200 year-old Palóc House presents the life of the Palóc folk and masterpieces of wood carving.

Parádfürdõ has been known since the 17th century. Its unique places of interest are the aristocratic Fancy Stable [Cifra Istálló], covered with red marble, and the Coach Museum, presenting the history of the world-famous Hungarian carriage-making industry. The therapeutic water of Parádfürdõ is used mainly for the healing of gynecological disorders.

Parádsasvár is famous for its Parád Medicinal Water. This drinking water helps heal respiratory and gastric complaints and is also recommended for hangovers. The former mansion of the Károlyi Counts is now a luxurious five-star hotel. The famous glass decorative objects of Parád have been produced in the glass-works since the middle of the 18th century.

Sárospatak
Sárospatak used to be a favorite estate of the Honorable Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II, who fought for Hungarian liberty against the Habsburgs. The Castle is rich in Gothic and Renaissance details and houses the Rákóczi Museum. The castle church posesses a Baroque organ and the country's largest wooden altar. In the museum of Calvinist College founded in 1531, wonderful religious art treasures can be found.

The library with its rare early manuscripts is worth a visit. The Roman Catholic ecclesiastical collection is housed on the first floor of the former Jesuit Monastery. From the pier on the River Bodrog there is a regular pleasure-boat service between Sárospatak and Tokaj.

Tokaj
The historic Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region has provided the world with the famous Aszú of Tokaj, known for 450 years as the "King of Wines, the Wine of Kings". An exhibition on the illustrious history of this noble drink, honored in the Middle Ages as a medicine, can be seen in the Tokaj Museum.

Tour routes lead to the volcanic Great Hill, where there are abundant protected plants and a panoramic view. This view has recently become a World Heritage Site.