Treasures of the Karst Places Worth Visiting G

English Places worth visitingg in the Aggtelek and Slovak Karst

Treasures of the Karst Foreword Th e Gömör-Torna Karst is a magical area. Th ere are plenty to see such as World Heritage caves, castles, mansions, culture and industrial monuments, churches from the Middle Ages and farm houses still preserving centuries old folk traditions hidden in tiny villages, beautiful forests and meadows, endangered plant and animal species. Several services are also available to make a holiday more comfortable: restaurantes, hotels, village guest houses, sports, cultural and other diff erent programmes. If you like to explore this area on your own, you must look for information on the internet (www.anp.hu) or read many guide books. Or, if you just happen to be here you probably will miss some of the most important and spectacular destinations because you do not even know about their existence. Th at is why this booklet was edited to help you. Th e employees of the Aggtelek National Park Directorate and the Rožňava Tourism Information Centre collected all the information a visitor of the area could be interested in. Furthermore, information is provided to help in fi nding all the necessary services. If the provided information is not detailed enough for you, please, feel free to make contact personally, through phone or via e-mail with the employees of the Aggtelek Tourinform Offi ce or the Rožňava Tourism Information Centre. Have a pleasant and unforgotable holiday in the region!

Editors of the booklet Contacts: Aggtelek National Park Directorate 3758 Jósvafő, Tengerszem oldal 1. Phone: +36 48/506-000, Fax: +36 48/506-001 [email protected], www.anp.hu

Tourism information: TOURINFORM–Aggtelek Tourism Information Centre, Nature Conservation and Rožnava Tourism Information Centre 32 Námestie Banikov, Rožňava, 3759 Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 3. Slovakia Phone/Fax: +36 48/ 503-000 Phone: +421 58/732-8101, [email protected] Fax: +421 58/732-4837 www.anp.hu [email protected] www.roznava.sk

European Union Hungary-Slovakia Building Cross-border Co-operation European Regional Development Fund partnership Programme 2007-2013 Th e content of this booklet does not necessarily represent the offi cial position of the European Union.

2 How I preserve natural values?

National parks were established to preserve the rapidly disappearing natural values so that future generations can also get to know them. If I am a conscious tourist, • I listen to the voice of nature, I do not make unnecessary noises. • I stay on the marked trails so as not to step on endangered, and beautiful plants and disturb animals. • I do not throw away my litter in nature, but take it with me in my backpack and try to fi nd a garbage can for them. • I do not collect plants and animals since they are adapted to their own habitats, they could easily die in a fl at or a garden. • I set fi re only in appointed places since a wild fi re can cause a huge disaster and several plants and animals could be destroyed. • I look for accommodation in the area because setting up a tent in a protected area is not allowed.

During cave tours: • I stay on the trails and not lag behind my group since each cave has many branches and it is very easy to miss your way in the unknown, dark places. • I do not throw away my litter in the cave, but take them with me in my backpack and throw them into the garbage can next to the cave exit. • I do not touch the dripstones since the oil layer of my hands on the surface of dripstones would stop their further development. • I only observe the dripstones and take pictures of them. A broken dripstone is a sorrowful sight, I rather buy colourful minerals or local products in a souvenir shop. • I can do without smoking cigarettes underground, the cave tours last not so long.

3 Gömör Card Th e Gömör Card was issued in 2005 for the fi rst time, so it is possible that you already got one. In this case, see the actual places of acceptance two sub-chapters below. Th e card is like a regular customer card, you can get discounts and extra points (stamps) to be able to win valuable prizes at the end of the year. How can it be used? Th ere are places of acceptance of the Gömör Card (it also can be bought at the same places, see the list of them in the sub-chapter bellow). By showing the Gömör Card at the above mentioned places, a 20% discount is given from the admission fees. It is stamped at each occasion of admission. Having visited at least 7 out of the 10 sites, send your card with your name and address to the TOURINFORM-Aggtelek (H-3759 Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 3.), and you can win valuable prizes on 30th December, at the Operetta Night in the Baradla Cave. Price: 700 HUF or 2,66 € It is also worth knowing that by showing the Gömör Card, 10% discount is given in several restaurants in the karst area. Places of acceptance: • Andrássy Castle – Betliar • Krásnohorská Fortress – Krásnohorské Podhradie • Museum of Mining, Rožňava • Watch Tower, Rožňava • Aggtelek ticket offi ce (1-hour tour in Baradla Cave) • Vörös-tó ticket offi ce (2 hours tour in Baradla Cave) • Village Museum – Jósvafő • Gömör Museum and László Holló Gallery – Putnok • Museum of Mining in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County – Ruda- bánya Restaurants: • Barlang Vendéglő (Cave Restaurant)– Aggtelek • Restaurant of Hotel Cseppkő – Aggtelek • Tengerszem Restaurant – Jósvafő • Reštaurácia Čierny orol (Black Eagle Restaurant) – Rožňava • Pizzéria Zamma – Rožňava • Inkuba Restaurant – Rožňava • Na Majeri Restaurant – Betliar • Reštaurácia u bieleho koňa (White Horse Restaurant) – Brzotín • Reštaurácia u železného grófa (Iron Count Restaurant)– Krásno- horské Podhradie

4 World Heritage in the depth of earth

For practical information concerning cave tours and other programs in caves (tickets, prices, opening hours, schedule of tours in high season and off -season etc.) see the enclosed leafl et.

Cave tours in the Aggtelek National Park Baradla Cave Baradla Cave is the most signifi cant and the most spectacular cave not only in the region, but also in Hungary. As all the caves in the Aggtelek and Slovak Karst, the Baradla was also entitled to a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. It is a special wet habitat, and it is under the protection of the Ram- sar Convention since 2001. Th e cave itself is strictly protected. Baradla Cave is the longest cave in Hungary. Its total length, considering also its Slovakian part, is 25,8 km. Its Slovakian part is called Domica, its length is 5,3 km. Its natural entrances situated next to Aggtelek have been known and used by humans for several thousands of years. Th e cave was formed in a Triassic age lime stone by the heavy eroding work of water. Limestone is easily dissolved by rainwater that is why most of the limestone mountains look like a huge Swiss cheese inside. Th e main passage of the cave actually is a bed of an underground stream having several branches. Th e main passage is nearly 7 km long, it can be found between Aggtelek and Jósvafő. Its average width is 10 m, height is 7-8 m forming huge underground halls at some places. Stalagtites and stalagmites with diff erent colours and sizes are the unique rock formations of the cave.

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5 Daily cave tours Baradla Cave: Aggtelek Short Tour (1 km, 1 hour) Gömör Card is accepted! Visitors can get into the depth of earth through one of the natural entrances. Th is tour includes a part of the cave that was even used by prehistoric men. During the tour, visitors can take part in an unforgettable event: listening to music in the Concert Hall. Tickets are available: Aggtelek Ticket Offi ce – Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 1.

Baradla Cave: Vörös-tó Tour (2,3 km, 1,5 hour) Gömör Card is accepted! Th e tour starts at the so called Vörös- tó entrance and ends at the cave exit in Jósvafő. It follows the course of the Styx Stream and passes by the 19 m high “Observatory”, which is the tallest stalagmite in Hungary. Visi- tors can experience the special acoustics of the cave by listening to some music in the “Giants’ Hall”. Tickets are available: Vörös-tó Ticket Offi ce – Half-way between Aggtelek and Jósvafő

Imre Vass Cave (tour in the cave: 500 m, 1 hour, on surface: 3 km) Gömör Card is accepted! Th is cave is signifi cant due to its special hydrological characteristics. It can be found near Jósvafő, at the end of Tohonya Val- ley. Stalactites, straw (or spaghetti-like) dripstones and helec- tites can be found there in large numbers, as well as beautiful tettarattas and dripstone crusts covering the walls of the cave. Th e unique colours of the cave can be observed on the most well-known formation, the “Orange Cascade”. Participants spend about 1 hour in the cave by visiting a 500 m part of it. Visitors take part in a 3 km guided ecotour from the Jósvafő Ticket Offi ce to the cave entrance. During this trip the natural values of the surface are introduced by a tour guide. Hiking boots and heavy duty clothes are recommended. Th e tour starts even with one participant, but in order to protect the cave, the number of visitors is limited to 10 persons at a time. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Jósvafő Ticket Offi ce – Jósvafő, Tengerszem oldal 1.

6 Rákóczi Cave (800 m, 1 hour) Th is cave is situated near the village of Bódvarákó (about 20 km far from Jósvafő), in the Esztramos Hill close to the Bódva River. Th e cave is famous for special dripstone formations such as pea-like (or pop- corn-like) dripstones with unique colours. Th e crystal clear water of its lakes enchant visitors. Getting into the cave is possible through an artifi cial mining tunnel. Within the cave, iron steps and ladders help participants to discover the underground world of wonders. Th e tour starts even with one participant, but in order to protect the cave, the number of visitors is limited to 10 persons at a time. Only persons above the age of 10 can participate. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Esztramos Ticket Offi ce – Bódvarákó, in the area of the former iron ore mine

Tours requiring booking in advance

Please, send your booking by mail or via e-mail to the following address at least two weeks in advance: Tourinform - Aggtelek, H-3759 Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 3. Fax: +36/48/503-000, e-mail: [email protected] Flashlights are provided for participants. Overalls can be rented in the Tourinform Offi ce in Aggtelek.

Baradla Cave: Keresztély Raisz Memory Tour (6 km, about 4 hours) Having covered the fi rst part of the Aggtelek Short Tour, visitors walk in the main passage of the cave from the Concert Hall to the so-called „Resting place of cowboys”, then they return to the Concert Hall by following the same route. After listening to some music in the Concert Hall, the second part of the Short Tour is viewed. Children under the age of 10 can take part in the tour only with parental supervision. In order to protect the cave, the number of visitors is limited to 10-25 persons at a time. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Aggtelek Ticket Offi ce – Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 1.

7 Baradla Cave: Long Tour (7 km, about 5 hours) Participants walk along the main passage of the Baradla Cave from Aggtelek to Jósvafő. Th e tour includes most of the Agg- telek Short Tour, a 3.8 km long unpaved section without lights and the whole Vörös-tó Tour. Listening to music in Concert Hall as well as in Giants’ Hall is also part of the programme. Children under the age of 10 can take part in the tour only with parental supervision. In order to protect the cave the number of visitors is limited to 10-35 persons at a time. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Aggtelek Ticket Offi ce – Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 1.

Baradla Cave: „Retek-ági” Extrem Tour (9 km, about 7 hours) Th is tour follows the route of the Long Tour and visits the additional 1250 m of the spectacular Radish Branch (Retek-ág). Th ere is water in this branch all the year round, so warm, waterproof (or an extra) outfi t is recommended and waterproof boots are necessary. Visitors can listen to music in Concert Hall as well as in Giants’ Hall. Only persons above 14 can participate. In order to protect the cave the number of visitors is limited to 5-14 persons at a time. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Aggtelek Ticket Offi ce – Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 1.

Béke Cave (2 km, about 3 hours) Th e cave can be reached by a two-hour hike starting from Agg- telek Ticket Offi ce. Th e artifi cial entrance of the Béke Cave is situated about halfway between Aggtelek and Jósvafő. Th e route is lined with fabulous red and white dripstone fl ags, draperies, white tufa dams. Th e fi nal station of the tour is the Rope-ladder Siphon. Th ere is an active underground stream in the cave, so warm, waterproof (or an extra) outfi t and waterproof boots are necessary. Only persons above 14 can participate. In order to protect the cave the number of visitors is limited to 5-10 persons at a time. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Aggtelek Ticket Offi ce – Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 1.

8 Kossuth Cave (altogether: 4-5 hours, in the cave: about 2-3 hours) Th e cave of Nagy-Tohonya Spring can be found near Jósvafő. Special limestone formations are characteristic to Kossuth Cave that have been formed by heavy erosion. Th e route passes by stone columns and creasts formed by erosion then reaches the Great Lake where visitors have to go through a cable-rope bridge hanging above the lake. Th e fi nal station of the tour is the Lake of Hopeless Siphon. Th is is an extreme tour so visitors should be fi t and experienced climbers. Th ere is an active underground stream in the cave, so warm, waterproof (or an extra) outfi t and waterproof boots are necessary. Only persons above 14 can participate. In order to protect the cave the number of visitors is limited to 5-10 persons at a time. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Aggtelek Ticket Offi ce – Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 1.

Meteor Cave (altogether: 6 hours, tour in the cave: about 3-4 hours) Th is signifi cant sink-hole cave is situated in a dolina, called „Kis-vizetes” at the Lower Hill (Alsó-hegy) above Bódvaszilas. After crawling and climbing among fallen rocks, climbing on iron ladders fi xed in tunnels, visitors reach the monumental Hall of Titans full of marvelous dripstone formations. Th ese formations are at 100 m depth. Th is is a strenuous tour so visitors should be fi t and experienced climbers. Water is continuously fi lters into the cave, so warm, waterproof (or an extra) outfi t and waterproof boots are necessary. Only persons above 14 can participate.`` In order to protect the cave the number of visitors is limited to 5-8 persons at a time. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Aggtelek Ticket Offi ce – Aggtelek, Baradla oldal 1.

Discounts Discount ticket Th ose visitors, who take part in the Aggtelek Short Tour and the Vörös-tó Tour in Baradla Cave within two days, can get a discount from the price of the second ticket. For starting times of tours see the enclosed leafl et. (When you take part in the fi rst chosen tour, you have to pay the full price of the ticket. If you show the ticket

9 of the fi rst tour at the ticket offi ce you will get a discount from the price of the second chosen tour. Th e order of the tours is up to you.) Other discounts For information concerning school group tickets see the enclosed leafl et. Students, seniors, teachers, members of the Hungarian Hikers Association, the Hungarian Naturefriends Association, the Hungarian Karst and Cave Research Society and the owners of Hungarian Tourism Card get 50% discount from the tours of the Aggtelek National Park if the cards are shown at the ticket offi ces. Cave entrance is free for children under the age of 6, the handicapped and offi cial guides of organized groups. In the case of school groups, the entrance is free for one teacher per 15 students. Wedding Ceremony in the Cave A fabulous and unforgettable event is available for couples in the Concert Hall or in the Giants’ Hall of the Baradla Cave with a special scenery and acoustics. Have a special wedding ceremony in a special environment! Information: Tourinform–Aggtelek

Listening to music Visitors can enjoy the special acoustics of the Concert Hall (Agg- telek) and the Giants’ Hall (Jósvafő) in the Baradla Cave by listening to music. Th e programme is 1 hour long, it is available for minimum 5 participants. For more information see the enclosed leafl et.

Cave tours in the Slovak Karst National Park Domica Cave Domica Cave and Baradla Cave are parts of the same cave system. Domica Cave is called the „Cave of Prehistoric Men” since it was used by humans already in 4 000-5 000 BC. It was explored by Ján Majko in 1926. Its underground halls (Hall

10 of Ministries, Hall of Chinese Pagodas, Roman Bath) provide spectacular sceneries for visitors. A unique experience is taking part in an underground boat trip on the Styx Stream. Gombasek Cave Th is cave has a special microclimate with healing eff ects. It was explored by L. Herényi and V. Rozložník cavers and their collegues while working in the area surrounding Rožňava. Th e cave was opened to the public in 1955. Th e most spectacular dripstone formations are the so called straw (or spaghetti) dripstones with 2-3 m length but only 2-3 mm width. Silica Ice Cave Th e shaft-cave can be found in the Szilice Plateau, 17 km far from Rožňava. Th ere are no guided tours in this shaft- cave, but special ice formations can be observed at the cave entrance all the year round. Th e ice formations are about 2000 years old. Visitors can get to the entrance on an artifi - cial staircase. Th e cave entrance can be reached by following a marked tourist trail starting from the parking site of Silica village. Ochtina Aragonite Cave Th e cave, which is a protected national value, can be found in the northern slope of the Hrádok Mountains. Th e aragonite cave was explored by miners by chance while digging a research shaft in 1954. Its most spectacular halls and formations are the Marble Hall, the Milky Way and the Arago- nite Heart. Th e walls of this unique cave are covered with fabulous aragonite formations (roses, ramifying spirals and grass-like formations) developing not according to the law of gravitation. Jasov Cave Th is cave was used even by prehistoric men and it was well- known in the Middle Ages. Th e monks of the Jasov Monas- tery opened it to the public in 1846. Monumental dripsone formations remind visitors to the enormous creative power of nature. Dobšina Ice Cave Th e most well-known cave of Europe is the world renown and unique Dobšina Ice Cave. It can be found 36 km far from Rožňava in the Slovak Paradise National Park

11 between Dobšina and Poprad. Based upon scientifi c under- stand of the glaciation processes, it is the most signifi cant ice cave of the world. Ice fl oors, ice cascades, ice columns and ice stalagmites provide unforgottable scenery for visitors. Th e cave was explored in 1870, it was opened to the public in 1871. Electricity was installed already in 1887. Visitors can get to the cave entrance by following a 470 m long education trail.

Spout Cave It is one of the most beautiful caves of Slovakia situated in Kras- nahorská Dlhá Lúka, near Rožnava. It was explored by cavers from Rožňava in 1964. Besides the usual dripstone formations, diff erent excentric formations can be seen. Th e most spectacular ones are those caulifl ower-like formations which cannot be found in either of the known caves. Th e fi nal destination of the cave tour is the Dripstone Coloumn of the Rožňava Cavers with a height of 32.6 m which is the highest stalagmite in Europe. Special beauties of this underground world can be visited with the help of trained caver guides. Caver outfi ts are provided for visitors. Th e total length of the cave is 1 100 m, but the length of the tour is about 450 m, getting across the underground stream is possible on wooden bridges. By going though a rope bridge, participants of the cave tour can get across two underground lakes. Going through the rope bridge is not diffi cult which is, at the same time an unforgetable experience.

Surface tours and education trails For practical information concerning surface tours (tickets, prices, opening hours, schedule of tours in high season and off - season etc.) see the enclosed leafl et. Due to a mosaic structure landscape, unique biodiversity can be found in the Gömör-Torna Karst. Th e landscape is determined by so called karst phenomena. Human activities have been very important factors in changing the landscape (cutting forests, charcoal-burning, lime-burning, extensive agriculture, extensive herding etc.) while creating its recent features during many centuries. Visitors can get to know these unique biogeographical characteristics and the architectural heritages by taking part in guided tours on the surface. Hiking, riding a bicycle or a horse are also available by following the marked hiking trails (blue, red, green waymarks) or education trails (yellow, orange waymarks) individually in all seasons. For more information about the marked trails, please, look for the Gömör-Torna Karst tourist maps.

12 Guided tours in the Aggtelek National Park and its surrounding areas Ecotours Th ere are a series of tours all the year round. Th e themes of tours are connected to special days, or fl owering periods of plants, special habitats or activities of animals (frogs, birds, butterfl ies), furthermore, a given cultural monument of the area is also introduced to visitors in details. Tours are guided by the specialists of the Aggtelek National Park. Booking in advance is not required.

Information: schedule and theme of the tours can be found in the Calendar of Events, more information: Tourinform-Aggtelek, www.anp.hu

Esztramos Hill Tour After or before taking part in the Rákóczi Cave tour, the area of the former lime stone mine can also be visited with a guide on the top of the Esztramos Hill.

Kelemér Tour Th is 4-hour ecotour is guided by an expert, visitors can see the strictly protected Kelemér Peat Bogs, learn about their botani- cal, zoological and cultural values. It is also possible to visit the Mihály Tompa Museum and the local Reformed church. Lectures on nature protection or open-air Biology lessons can also be booked in advance in the Mohos House. Tickets are available at the starting place of the tours: Mohos House – Kelemér, Mihály Tompa Street 129.

13 Discounts Students, seniors, teachers, members of the Hungarian Hikers As- sociation get 50% discount from the price of the tours if the cards are shown to the tour guides. Participation is free for children under the age of 6, the handicapped and offi cial guides of organized groups. In the case of school groups, participation is free for one teacher per 15 students.

Guided Walk in Aggtelek Visitors can get to know the special fl ora, fauna and surface karst formations of the area as well as the so called „belt parcels” typical for local agriculture. Seeing historical buildings of the village and memorial places of famous persons who visited or worked for the Baradla Cave are also part of the tour. Th e guided tour lasts about 3 hours, it starts at the Baradla Cave entrance in Aggtelek. A shorter route can also be chosen, it starts at the open-air stage at Aggtelek Lake.

Please, send your booking at least three days in advance. At least 5 persons are required for tour starting. Th e number of visitors is limited to 30 persons at a time. Tasting local traditional foods is also possible as part of the village walk or as a separate programme. For more information on booking in advance see the enclosed leaf- let.

Guided Walks in Jósvafő and its surrounding areas Guided Walk in Jósvafő During the daytime or night walks visitors can get to know the natural and cultural values of Jósvafő and its surrounding areas from a local guide. Th e tour is about 2500 m long with 100 m diff erence in elevation, it lasts about 3 hours. Starting place: square in front of the Baradla Cave exit, Jósvafő.

14 Guided Walk in the old historical part of Jósvafő During the daytime or night round walks visitors can get to know the natural and cultural values of the old historical parts of Jósvafő from a local guide. Th e tour is about 1500 m long with 100 m diff erence in elevation, it lasts about 2 hours. Starting place: „Open Barn” in the yard of the „Kisház” (Small House), Jósvafő, old historical square

Tour to the Vineyard Hill in Jósvafő with visiting a cellar During the round tour visitors can get to know the most important habitats in the karst, traditional ways of land use, cultural values as well as local traditional cuisine. Th e Vineyard Hill is about 2,5 km far from the village, visiting an old cellar is also part of the program. Th e tour is about 4500 m long with 150 m diff erence in elevation, it lasts about 4 hours. Starting place: „Open Barn” in the yard of the „Kisház” (Small House), Jósvafő, old historical square

Th e number of visitors is limited to 5-30 persons at a time. Tast- ing local traditional foods, folk art programmes are also possible as part of the village walks or as separate programmes. For more information on booking in advance see the enclosed leaf- let.

Education trails in the Aggtelek National Park

Baradla Education Trail (Aggtelek-Jósvafő) – yellow waymarking 7,5 km; 3 hours Th e trail connects the Baradla Cave entrance in Aggtelek and the cave exit in Jósvafő, leads through open and covered karst areas, the natural and cultural values of the area can be observed.

15 Tohonya-Kuriszlán Education Trail (Jósvafő) – yellow waymarking Route 1 (1-13 stops): about 4 km; about 2,5 – 3 hours Route 2 (13-20 stops): about 6 km; about 3 – 3,5 hours Route 1 and 2 altogether (1-20 stops): 10 km; about 6 hours By hiking this educational trail, the special landscape, karst features and most characteristic habitats of the Aggtelek National Park can be observed. It is recommended for visitors interested in traditional landuse such as herding, agriculture, vine production, extensive orchards, fruit preservation, sylviculture and charcoal-burning. Th e trail consists of two round trips that can be taken one after the other.

„Badger” Education Trail (Szin-Szelcepuszta) – badger waymarking 2,8 km; 2 hours Th e aim of the educational trail constructed in 2001 is to show the methods of local forestry, hunting, the characteristic forests and their rich wildlife. Trail guiding brochure is availabe at the North Forestry Co., Jósva-Torna Forestry Directorate (3761 Szin, Szabadság St. 84., Phone: +36 48/564-510)

Szádvár Education Trail (Szögliget) – 4,5 km; about 3 hours Th e starting place and fi nal stop of the 4.5 km long educational trail is at the Szalamandra Hostel. Th e trail does not have a special waymarking, it follows the existing marks of hiking trails and forest roads. Arrows show the right directions at crossroads. Indicator species of high mountains, Mediterranean and con- tinental wooded steppes can all be found in the unique karst areas. Th e ruins of the once magnifi cent Szádvár Fortress, which is one of the most important cultural heritages of the region, can still be seen on the top of the hill.

Green Border Education Trail (Aggtelek – Domica) – orange waymarking, 7 km; 4-5 hours Th e education trail was established as part of the „Landscape of the Year 2010/2011” international programme. Th e trail connects the Baradla Cave entrances in Aggtelek and Domica. By hiking this education trail, the fl ora and fauna of the area, former human activites in the karst can be observed. Playful tasks at the stops help in getting unforgettable experiences on wildlife.

16 „Ichneumon” Education Trail (Jósvafő) – orange waymarking, 3 km; 2,5 hours

Th e logo of the education trail, an ichneumon can be seen on each information board of the education trail. By fulfi lling the playful tasks of the ichneumon, visitors get a diff erent percepcion of natural objects and phenomena. Th e main goal is to observe nature, plants and animals from diff erent points of view. Th is allows the observer to gain a special experience.

Bódva Valley Education Trail (Perkupa) – 2 km, 1,5 hour Seasonal trail, it can be visited during the International Bird Watching and Nature Conservation Camp from 1st September – 26th October. Th e trail starts at the fi rst right turn after the bridge next to the railway station in Perkupa and ends in the camp. Th e Bódva Valley is one of the most important ecological corridors of northeast Hungary, a special area that makes it possible for several species to be able to migrate large distances. Th e education trail introduces the wetland habitats along the Bódva River, as well as the eff ects of human activities on natural habitats, their fl ora and fauna. Th ere is a separate information board set up in every year introducing „Th e bird species of the year”, its life cycle, and interesting behaviours.

Fields Around the Village Education Trail (Gömörszőlős) – 5 km, 3 hours Its main task is to show how local traditional farming and biodiversity could coexist in harmony. By following the trail, visitors can get to know the extensive way of farming and the resulted diversity of the landscape. Natural degradation and succession processes, as results of given up farming, can also be observed.

Willow Education Trail (Bódvalenke) – 2 km; 2 hours Th is education trail invites for a special trip. Th e starting place is at the geological excavation site near the main road between Komjáti and Bódvalenke. Geologists found out the secrets of limestone formed under the former shallow sea in the Ttriassic age. Other parts of the area show what the original wildlife of the Bódva Valley could have been before controlling the river. Th e fi nal stop is the Fresco Village which is an open-air exhibition of the European Roma fi ne art.

17 Guided tours in the Slovak Karst National Park and its surrounding areas

SERPA – Gemer Tour Guiding Service It is a colourful group of young, enthusiastic, nature loving persons. Programmes are organized for student groups and other groups, programmes are planned for 1-10 days. Th ere are mostly hiking tours in the area of Bôrka, Zádiel and Háj Valleys (visiting water falls, ice holes, holy places, beautiful view points), but bus trips are also available in the Rožňava region (accomodation and food can be booked in advance). Information: Phone: +421/58/732 99 35, e-mail: [email protected]

City Walk in Rožňava Th e most interesting monuments of the city are introduced by the employees of the Tourism Information Centre in daytime or at night. According to special requests, the guide can wear a traditional costume and there is music at the stops providing this way a special atmosphere. Visiting the Watch Tower is also part of the programme where the city and its surrounding areas can be seen from an aerial perspective.

18 Education Trails in the Slovak Karst Domica and its Surrounding Areas Education Trail – green slanting stripe; 4,5 km

Th e starting place of the trail is at the entrance of Domica Cave. 5 information boards can be found along the trail with the following topics: Gömör-Torna Karst, Domica Cave, fl ora and fauna, geology, geomorphology and agriculture. Th e trail leads through the Domica Karrenfeld National Landscape Protection Area. Th e most spectacular places are the karrenfelds, ravines and caves. Th is trail joints the Green Border Ed- ucational Trail that leads through the border between Slovakia and Hungary.

Zádiel Valley Education Trail – green slanting stripe; 5 km, 400 m diﬀ erence in elevation, 4-5 hours By following the trail, visitors can get to know the most important natural features of the eastern part of the Slovak Karst. Th e education trail was constructed by considering historical, scientifi c and nature protection point of views. Information boards can be found along the trail with the following topics: Zádiel Valley, geomorphology, fl ora, fauna, traditional land use on the plateau, Zadiel in the ancient times, karrenfelds and forests. Th e trail is actually a round trip within the 215 ha Zádiel Valley Landscape Protection Area. Getting up and down the plateau requires fi tness and high awareness. Th e most interesting part of the trail is the Zádiel Valley formed by the heavy erosion of the Blatnica Stream with a minimum width of 10 m.

Caves of the Slovak Karst – World Heritage Education Trail – 800 m, 45 minutes Th e trail starts at Krásnohorská Dlhá Luka and ends at the Krásnohorská jaskyňa (Spout Cave). Visitors can get a gorgeous view of the Kársna Hôrka Fortress from the trail. It also passes by the Saint Virgin Mary Chapel and the water mill. Information boards along the trail introduce the caves of the Slovak Karst National Park which are World Heritage Sites and also the history of their exploration.

19 Bicycle routes

Th e following lists of routes give ideas how visitors can get to know the landscape, the natural and cultural values of the area by riding a bicycle. Routes in the Aggtelek Karst Szelce – Szádvár Fortress Round Trip Th is round trip covers 51 km from the Aggtelek–Domica international border station to the entrance of the Baradla Cave in Agg- telek. Th e diff erence in elevation is about 200 m, a 19 km part of the tour is dirt road, another 32 km section is concrete road. Route: Aggtelek – Jósvafő – Szelce Valley – Szelce-puszta– Patkós Valley – Seedling nursery – Ménes Valley – Vidomájpuszta – Vár Valley – Szögliget – Szin – Szinpetri – Jósvafő –Baradla Cave exit in Jósvafő – Aggtelek. Th e route joins the Slovak Karst bicycle road at the Aggtelek–Domica international border station.

Galyaság Round Trip Along 50 km cyclists can enjoy the natural and historical beauty of the National Park by going through 10 settlements. Route: Aggtelek – Trizs – Ragály – Imola – Kánó – Slip roads to Égerszög and Teresztenye cul-de sac villages – Szőlősardó – Slip roads at Éger Valley – Perkupa – Slip roads at the Bread Baking Factory – Szin – Szinpetri – Jósvafő – Aggtelek

20 From the Bükk National Park to the Aggtelek National Park

Th e 75 km tour, starting from Szilvásvárad and ending in Ag- gtelek, connects the two national parks by going through 12 settlements. Th e natural and cultural values of the national parks can be observed along the tour. Route: Szilvásvárad – Nagyvisnyó – Dédestapolcsány – Up- pony – Borsodbóta – Sajómercse – Putnok – Kelemér – Zá- dorfalva – Ragály – Trizs – Aggtelek – Gombasek – Silica – Jablonov n.Turňou – Hrhov – Zádiel – Turňa n.Bodvou – Hačava – Hačavai mountain pass – Zádiel Guest House – Bôrka mountain pass – Drnava – Krásno- horské Podhradie – Rožňava Total length: 195 km, hardness: medium, waymark: red

In the Slovak Karst Slovak Karst Cycling Rote (Cyklomagistrála Slovenský kras) Route: Rožňava – Betliar – Vlachovo – Vyšná Slaná – factory – under the Radzim – Brdárka – Štítnik – Gemerská Hôrka – Dlhá Ves – Domica – Kečovo – Silická Brezová – Plešivec – Gombasek – Silica

Valley between the Csermosna and Sajó Rivers Route: Zádiel Valley – Bôrka – Kováčová – Drnava – Lipovník – Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka – Rožňava – Brzotín – Kružná – Slavec – Gombasek – Plešivec – Gemerská Hôrka – Bohúňovo – Čoltovo – Gemerská Panica – Gemer – Tornaľa Total length: 58 km, hardness: medium, waymark: blue

Kónyárt Bicycle Road Route: Gemerská Hôrka – Hucín - Gemerský Sad - Hrádok – Ochtina Aragonite Cave Total length: 32 km, hardness: medium, waymark: blue

Breakthrough of the Murány River Route: Gemerská Hôrka – Licince – Meliata – Bretka Total length: 20 km, hardness: medium, waymark: green

Domica Bicycle Road Route: Domica – Tornaľa-Starňa – Tornaľa Total length: 18 km, hardness: medium, waymark: green

21 Dobšina Route (Dobšinská ľadová cesta) Route: Vlachovo, Factory - Dobšiná - Stratená – Dobšina Ice Cave Total length: 17 km, hardness: medium, waymark: green

By roads Th ese roads connect villages and towns. Each of them is easy and marked with yellow. Th e table bellow shows the lengths of roads. Name of by road Length (km) Roštár – Henckovce 8 Nižná Slaná – Brdárka 8 Gemerská Hôrka – Meliata 4 Jelšava 8 Rožňava – Brzotín 2 Hrad Krásna Hôrka – Mausoleum 2 Vyšná Slaná – Rejdová 2

Horse riding

Visitors interested in horse riding can fi nd a wide choice of possibilities, programmes both in the Aggtelek National Park and the Slovak Karst National Park.

22 In the Aggtelek National Park Th e only Hungarian hucul stock-breeding farm can be found in the Aggtelek National Park, Jósvafő. Th e hucul breed is named after a people who live in the Carpathians. Th is small-bodied horse is closely related to the Asian wild horses and also the horses of our Hungarian ancestors who settled down the Carpathian Basin in the 9th century. Th e breeding stud can be visited at the pastures of Gergés-lápa that is about 1 km north from Jósvafő. Visitors can also see some specimens in the stable at the Kúria Environmental Education Centre in Jósvafő (Táncsics St. 1.).

Available services with registration on the scene: • Horse riding for children

Programmes requiring booking in advance: • Horse riding lessons • Horse riding on fi eld (for advanced riders) • Coach riding in Jósvafő • Coach or sleigh riding to the hucul stud • Coach riding to the hucul stud and the Imre Vass Cave (for 4-10 persons) with a possible additional cave tour and/or picnic • Coach and/or horse riding for children groups • Coach riding to the most spectacular parts of the national park (for 2-9 persons) • Several days star tours with full-board accommodation and additional requested programmes • „Shadow Ranger”: follow the ranger of the national park as a shadow on horseback to be able to discover the hidden natural values, wildlife of the area For prices and more information see the enclosed leafl et.

In the Slovak Karst

Th e natural beauties and a wide choice of available horse riding programmes off er a way of active recreation in Upper- Gömör. Horse riding programmes are available in Plešivec, Dlhá Ves, Brzotín, Jovice and the area of the Dobšina Ice Cave. Th ere are several horse riding programmes in the region all the year round.

23 Horse riding schools, stables, studs: • Horse Riding Centre and Horse Riding School, Plešivec Phone: 00421 58 7885588, Mobil: 00421 905 952833, e-mail: [email protected] • Ferdy Rancs, Dlhá Ves Phone: 00421 905 323262 • Private Farm Horse Riding Centre, Brzotín Kružnianska 514, 049 51 Brzotín, Phone: 00421 905 341078 • Ranč pod Ostrou skalou, Dobšina Ice Cave Phone: 00421 905 298 208 • Ladislav Mészner, Jovice, Hlavná St. 86. Phone: 00421 910 960 474

Hunting In the Aggtelek Karst Red deer, wild boar and roe-deer can be hunted in the hunting areas of the Aggtelek National Park during hunting seasons. Th ere is a discount in the game damage preventing period. Information. Zsolt Kanyok, Phone: +36/30/33-73-143 In the Slovak Karst Th e most extended forests with rich game populations of Slovakia can be found in Upper-Gemer. It is also famous for the centuries old hunting traditions and hunting possibilities. Red deer, wild boar, roe-deer and other games can be hunted. Hunting is organized by the National Forestry and other hunting associations of the area

24 Fishing In the Aggtelek Karst Daily tickets for the water of the Noth Hungarian Fishing Association can be bought in Kazincbarcika, Putnok and Kurtiyán. Th e tickets are valid for the Mine Lake No. II. in Kurityán, the Bódva River, the Jósva Stream from the infl ow of the Nagy-Tohonya Stream to the Bódva River. Fishermen also have to get a valid national fi shing licence. Information: www.emhe.hu Th e Karicsos Fishing Lake It can be found near Bódvarákó, in the valley of the Bódva River. According to booking in advance the following services are available: fi shing in daytime and at night, bacon frying, cooking on open-air fi re, introduction to fi shing with net, buying fi sh. Fishermen have to get a valid national fi shing licence. Daily tickets, renting fi shing equipment are available on the scene. Opening hours: On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: from 6.00 am till sunset Information: Babajkó Ltd. 3763 Bódvaszilas Jókai u. 15. Phone.: +36-48/454-029, +36-30- 625-8077, e-mail: [email protected] Rakaca Lake Th e artifi cial lake was created by damming up the water of the Rakaca Stream. Daily tickets are available on the scene at the places bellow: Karola-major: Phone: +36-48/458-042, +36-30/218-02-21. Rakaca Lake Fishing Association (Szalonna, Petőfi St. 104.): on Wednesdays and Fridays: 10.00-18.00. Phone: +36-48/458-097. Ménes Lake Th e Ménes Lake is situated close to the famous Szádvár Fortress. Daily tickets are availabe at the North Forestry Co., Jósva-Torna Forestry Directorate (Szin). Phone: +36 48/464-004 In the Slovak Karst Fishing in Gemer has a more than seven decades old history. Th e Palcmanská Maša artifi cial lake, the Slaná River, the Čermošná Stream and the Csetnek Stream are rich in trouts. Fishing lakes can be found near Hrušov, Vlachovo and Kružná. More information: Slovak Fishing Association, www.srz-rv.kovmasters.sk

25 Places worth visiting In the Aggtelek National Park Aggtelek www.aggtelek.hu It is famous for the longest cave in Central Europe, the Baradla Cave. Th e Bara- dla was even known and used by prehistoric people. Nowadays visitors have a wide choice of tours depending on individual interests and adventurous spirits. Right next to the village several interesting karst phenomena can be observed on the surface.

View Point above the cave entrance Th ere is a 51 m high rock wall at the entrance of the Baradla Cave, from the top of it a spectacular panorama can be seen: standing at the edge of the uncovered karst full of bare rocks, the area covered by sediments (gravel and sandstone) of the former Sajó River, can be observed.

Devil’s Plough and the Aggtelek Lake Th e unique example of an uncovered karst, the so called De- vil’s Plough, can be observed on slopes of the formerly forested Lake Hill, right next to the village. Some rocks still preserve the prints of the former forest since the acid produced by roots of trees dissolved deep, round holes in limestone called „bird drinking wells” by locals. Probably after cutting off the forest on the Lake Hill, sediments washed down by rainwater blocked a swallet of the Baradla Cave, creating this way the Aggtelek Lake. Th e Lake did not exist in the 18th century, a big cabbage producing garden used to be there.

26 Lime-klin Th e inhabitants of Aggtelek were called „lime men” in the previous centuries since most of the income of local families came from burning and selling lime. As a monument, a lime-klin situated not far from the Aggtelek Lake refers to the ancient job of locals.

Reformed church Th e church was built after the tartar invasion in the Arpadian Ages. Its ancient origin is supported by the existence of windows characteristic to the Roman era (though they are already not used). Th e population grew so much in the 18th century that the church was enlarged and the so called „cinterem”, a small entrance hall, was also constructed. Unfortunately, there was a disastrous fi re in 1858 that destroyed all the furniture and the wooden roof of the building. During reconstruction, a beautiful hand-painted coff ered ceiling was installed, but sadly enough, it was used as fi re wood in World War II. Th at is the resason for being the most simple church in the area.

Headmark Museum and Memory Park Most of the inhabitants of the former Gömör County belonged to the Reformed church. Th at is why a typical headmark was carved from wood. A carved headmark was actually a „speaking coloumn”, it told the whole life of the person (origin, age, sex) buried under it. In the case of the headmarks of Aggtelek, it is interesting to note that the written sides did not face towards the tombs but the church and the bell tower. Th e Memory Park exhibits some of the most common headmark types, at the same time commemorates those persons who played important roles in the history of Aggtelek, eg: prof. László Jakucs, Imre Vass, Rafael Szegő (died in the independence war in 1848-49).

27 Bell Tower Deák F. St. It is situated about 200 m far from the church, it was built in folk-Baroque style in the 1800s. Th ere used to be a watch tower at that place which was later replaced by the present tower.

Village Museum – Kossuth St. 2. It belonged to a poor peasant family in the begining of the 20th century. Th e room functioned as a kitchen and a bedroom, too. Visitors can observe original, traditional furniture, tools, kitchen utensils and a rare textile collection. When one books in advance tasting traditional local foods cooked in the oven is available. Guided visit of the museum requires at least three days booking in advance. Municipality of Aggtelek, Phone: +36-48/503-208, +36-48/503-209

Museum of Traditions – Kossuth St. 4. Th e theme of the exhibition changes year by year. Th e purpose is to show by exhibiting the tools and equipment of former occupations of inhabitants how the current landscape evolved during the latest centuries due to the mutual coexistence of nature and mankind. For more information see the enclosed leafl et.

Continuously available programmes in the village: Recommended surface tours: Baradla Education Trail, View Point above the Baradla Cave entrance, Devil’s Plough and the Aggtelek Lake, „Zombor-lyuk” Swallet Guided tours: • Cave tours • Village walk, tasting traditional local foods (For more details see chapters Surface Tours and Local Products and Services) Easter egg painting on Good Friday Easter plays: Traditional crafting for children and families on Easter Sunday Aggtelek Village Days: the third weekend of every July Gömör Fruits Festival: second part of September

28 Jósvafő

www.josvafo.hu Th e old historic centre of the village is like a living picture from a tipical Hungarian folk tale. Natural as well as architectural values can also be observed. Th e exit of the Baradla Cave, the headquarters of the Aggtelek National Park Directorate and the most popular accommodation of the area, the Tengerszem Hotel** and Education Centre are situated at the end of the Törőfej Valley. Th ose visitors, who prefer small, familiar accommodations to hotels, have a wide choice of guest houses in the village. Diff erent colourful programs, exciting tours in the surrounding areas make a holiday relaxing and memorable.

Hubert Kessler Memory House – Tengerszem oldal 1. Th e former house of the famous cave explorer scientist can be found next to the exit of the Baradla Cave. Downstairs original documents and copies of them introduce the history of the house, the development of the Törőfej Valley, the evolution of the Baradla Cave,and its most spectacular dripstone formations, also important explorations, wildlife, archeology, protection, famous persons who used to be active in working in and for the Baradla, the tourism development, famous visitors and views of artists on the rare piece of art of nature. Th e memory room of Hubert Kessler is upstairs. Th e life and work of the fi rst director of the Baradla Cave is shown by photos, plans, books, articles, pictures, statues and other personal objects.

29 Tengerszem Lake Local people have used the energy of water for centuries. Mills were constructed next to the streams. Th is way caused a consider- able industry to be developed in the village. Th e Kleins constructed the so called Upper-Mill in the Törőfej Valley in 1840, later a connecting small power plant was built which provided electricity for the inhabitants since 1917. Th e Tengerszem Lake, the Baradla Shelter and a new turbine were installed in the 1930s.

Th e old historic centre of the village Old historic square Places worth visiting: Old Mill Inn, „Kisház” (Small House – one of the oldest building in the village), Priest’s Bridge, former residence of priests, Bell Tower, church, Village Museum

Jósvafő Village Museum – Dózsa Gy. St. 3. Gömör Card is accepted! Th e so called „Szakál” House was built in 1890. It is a typical farm house of the area: the rooms are situated in one long row, it has a gabled roof, ornamented frontispiece and a carved wooden porch. Other, typical farm buildings are connected to the house: there is a wine cellar with a hay storage room above it next to the main entrance of the yard, diff erent pens, a stud, a barn, a coach-house and a summer kitchen. Exhibitions can be seen on local industry, agriculture, sylviculture and everyday life. An exhibition on the history of explor- ing the caves of the area can be also visited. For more information see the enclosed leafl et.

Reformed church A document from 1399 refers to a church made of stone and surrounded by a strong protective wall. Th is is the western part of the current church. Th e old church was enlarged in 1793-94, it has a special, hand-painted coff ered ceiling, the gallery, the pulpit crown and the front cover of the benches are all decorated with traditional motifs. Made by the painters and carpenters of the region in the 18th century these are among the most signifi cant pieces of the Hungarian folk art. Reconstruction of the church and the protective wall was carried out just some years ago. Th e church has a special acoustics that is why it is a scene for many concerts.

Bell Tower and Headmark Park Th e Baroque style Bell Tower was built in 1851. Th e bell was

30 cast in 1882. A Headmark Park is situated behind the Bell Tower where visitors can observe carved wooden headmarks used to be typical of the area.

Reformed cemetery Th e cemetery indeed was a collection of carved wooden headmarks which were designed and prepared by local carpenters. Unfortunately, by now marking of grave sites has changed so the number of carved headmarks has decreased.

Jewish Cemetery At the begining of the 20th century several Jewish families lived in Jósvafő, about 30 persons altogether. Th ey had to leave the village in 1944, none of them returned. Th e neglected cemetery was restored with the help of the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation in 1994.

Kúria Environmental Education Centre, hucul horse stable – Táncsics M. St. 1. Th e Environmental Education Centre of the Aggtelek Natio- nal Park can be found in the mansion of a former gentry family. Several lectures, education programmes in fi eld, crafting programmes and forest school programmes are provided for kindergarten and primary school children. Specimen of the hucul horse breed can be observed at the stable. Th e small-bodied hucul was originally bred in the Car- pathians. Th is horse is closely related to the Asian wild horses. Now it is bred by the Aggtelek National Park in Hungary for the purpose of gene conservation. According to booking in advance horse and coach riding and sleighing is possible. Th e stud with more horses can be found in the Gergés-lápa grassland, it can be reached by following the route of the To- honya-Kuriszlán Education Trail or the hiking trail with blue waymarking. For more information see the enclosed leafl et.

Baradla Gallery – Szabadság St. 3. Th ree rooms of a restored, privately owned traditional farm house provides scene for a private art collection. Artists inspired by the athmosphere of the Aggtelek Karst and its caves created pieces of arts in art camps. Booking in advance is required: István Tarczali, Jósvafő, Petőﬁ St. 56. Phone: +36-48/350-064

31 32 Aggtelek and Slovak Karst

33 Continuously available programmes in the village: Recommended surface tours: Baradla Education Trail, Tohonya-Kuriszlán Education Trail, „Ichneumon” Education Trail, hucul horse stable, hucul horse stud on Gergés-lápa, geological excavation site (Dankó P. St.) Guided tours: • Cave tours (Kossuth Cave, Imre Vass Cave – see chapter Cave tours) • Village walk, tour to the Vineyard Hill (see chapter Surface tours), gastronomy and cultural programmes of the „Open Barn” (see chapter Local products and services) (For more details see chapters Surface tours and Local products and services) Easter plays: Traditional crafts for children and families on Easter Saturday Jósvafő Village Days: last weekend of every July Fruit harvesting in Jósvafő: last weekend of September or fi rst weekend of October

In the Aggtelek National Park and its surrounding areas Abod Th e small Reformed church was built in the Arpadian Ages, the windows are like narrow slits, the main nave is separated by an arch from the sanctuary. Th e bell was cast in the 1600s. Th e Greek Catholic church was constructed in the 1700s. Th e iconostas has many unique pictures like the one with Mary wearing unusual clothes. Light fi ltering through colourful windows provides a special atmosphere.

Opening: Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36 48/461-203 (Mrs. János Abodi) Greek catholic church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36 48/461-213 (residence of the priest) GRIP Ltd: booking in advance is required to visit the bio oil producing factory. For more details see chapter Local products and services

34 Bódvalenke Th ere are frescos painted by Roma artists on the back of several houses in the village. Th e late-Baroque style Re- formed church and the bell tower can be found in the middle of the village. Th ere is a painted coff ered ceiling in the church. It is the smallest Reformed church in the area.

Opening: Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36 48/450-119 (Mrs. Béla Gál) Continuously available programmes in the village: Recommended surface tour: Willow Education Trail

Bódvaszilas Th ere used to be a church in the middle of the village built in the Arpadian Ages. Currently the Roman Catholic church is situated there which was constructed in 1770. Th e Re- naissance style iron knocker is from the 16th century, the main altar and the side altars are from the 18th century. A double cross can be observed on the top of the tower which used to be the symbol of the Bebek family who was the biggest land owner of the area in the middle ages. Th e statues of the chapel of the ruined Szádvár Fortress are said to be brought to this church, but unfortunately, they were destroyed later. Th e Eszerházy-Koós Castle is situated next to the church, it was reconstructed and currently operated as an accommodation. Th e Reformed church can be found on the neighbouring hilltop. Its painted furniture was made by the same carpenters who worked in Tornakápolna. Th e church was reconstructed recently by the volunteer work of local people, and only the original front door and the central painted panel of the ceiling were replaced. A spectacular view unfolds from the garden of the church: the steep, rocky slopes of the Lower Hill and the Baroque style granary (being under reconstruction) next to the village.

Opening: Roman Catholic church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36 20/417-16-61 (Katalin Szkibó) Eszterházy-Koós Castle: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36 48/454-013 (primary school) Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36 48/454-126 (residence of the priest)

35 Edelény Th e Borsod Earthen Forti- fi cation, about which the county itself was named, was built in the Arpadian Ages and can be found in the sub- urbs of Edelény. A beautiful panorama opens to the Bódva Valley from the top of it. A village used to stand there in the 10th century, it was the biggest settlement in that period but it was ruined by fi re. Th e Borsod Regional Museum is next to the fortifi cation, it consists of several traditional houses and buildings in a yard. Characteris- tic interiors, textiles, industry and the fi ndings of excavations such as fragments of pots, wheat and food (e.g. the „ancient goulash“), a model of the wall of the earthen fortifi cation can be seen in the museum buildings. In 1791 the late Broque style Borsod Reformed Church was built on the same hill as the fortifi cation. Painted coff ered ceiling, two galleries, the pulpit and fi ve front cover of benches are priceless pieces of art. According to the results of excavations, a church with earthen walls was previously standing at the same place in 1706, next to it a cemetery from the Middle Ages was found. Th e L’Huillier–Coburg Castle is one of the most signifi cant and biggest Baroque castles in Hungary. Currently it is under reconstruction and it will be opened to the public in 2012. Th e castle is separated from the Gothic Reformed Church by a backwater of the Bódva River. It is worth having a closer look at the windows and the chandelier of the entrance hall.

Opening: Borsod Earthen Fortifi cation: free visit all the year round Borsod Regional Museum: Borsodi St 155. Information: see the enclosed leafl et Borsod Reformed Church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/341-619 (residence of the priest) Edelény Reformed Church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/341-916 (residence of the priest)

36 Continuously available programmes: Recommended surface tour: Császta Vineyard Hill – calvary, cel- lars, view point, Transylvanian style gate

Égerszög Th e original stucture of the village is well preserved. During a walk starting from the church situated in the middle of the village, several beautiful traditional farm houses can be seen in the small streets. Th ere are many carved wooden headmarks in the cemetery above the village, as well as a gorgeous view is a reward for those who climb there.

Continuously available programmes: Recommended surface tour: Th e Pitics Hill lookout tower is about 2 km far northeast from the village (follow the red stripe than the green triangle marks)

Felsőtelekes Th e Village Rest House and Gallery (Petőfi St. 3.) furnished with typical old furniture provide a special scene for exhibitions of the picures of Éva Rab-Kovács painter and Csaba Vaszily graphic artist. Th e following exhibitions can be seen: „Land- scapes and men in the Carpathian Basin, in the heart of Eu- rope”, „Landscapes and inhabitants of Felsőtelekes: traditions of village life and work”, „Reproductions of the Bartók exhibition with the original signature of the musician”

Opening: Village Rest House and Gallery: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/353-735 (Mrs. László Motkó)

Gömörszőlős Gömörszőlős is the only settlement in Hungary whose name still refers to the old historic Gömör County. Th e original landscape is well preserved and there are several old traditional buildings in the village. One of the masterpieces of folk art is the Reformed church with the painted coff ered ceiling. Collections of traditional folk tools introduce old vehichles, farming tools and carvings to visitors. Th ere is a permanent exhibition in the “Kisgaléria” (Small Gallery). A real unique- ness is the wool processing workshop where more than 100 years old machines are still operated. Visitors can experience and observe how felting is done. Visitors can also learn about the role of felting it played

37 in the history of Hungarians. Th e programme requires booking in advance.

Opening: Collections of traditional folk tools, church, “Kisgaléria”, wool processing workshop: Gömörszőlős Education Centre, [email protected]; www.gomorszolos.org Phone: +36-48/435-016 Crafting: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36/20/438 84 61 (Judit É.Kovács) Continuously available programmes: Fields Around the Village Education Trail

Hidvégardó Th e most beautiful mansions of the area can be found in Hid- végardó: the folk neoclassic Papp Mansion and the Gede- on Mansion. Th e crypt of the Gedeon family is situated in the middle of the village, next to the northern wall of the Ro- man Catholic church. Visitors can take part in traditional weaving and basketry in the Crafting Centre.

Opening: Roman Catholic church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/450-035 (residence of the priest), +36-30/515-59-38 Gedeon Mansion and Papp Mansion: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/450-001 (Municipality of Hidvé- gardó) Crafting: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/450-001 (Municipality of Hidvégardó)

38 Kánó Lecture and the introduction of the technology is available in the Distillery according to booking in advance. Information: see Local products and services

Kelemér Th e Mohos House, the only two-storey farm house in the region can be found in Kelemér. Visitors are introduced to the evolution of the Mohos Peat Bogs as well as its geography and history. Illustrations of the area by István Faggyas are also exibited. Th e former residence of priests next to the Reformed church is currently called Mihály Tompa Memory House. An exhibition can be found there on the former priest of the settlement, who was also one of the greatest poet of Hungary.

Opening: Mohos House: Tompa Mihály St. 129. Booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-30/63-11-722. (János Szilágyi) Mihály Tompa Memory House, Reformed church, Gömör style headmark collection: 8.00–18.00 Booking in advance is required in the residence of the priest next to the church. Phone: +36-48/434-143 Continuously available programmes: Guided surface tour: Tour to the Kelemér Peat Bogs (see Sur- face tours) Recommended surface tours: Mohos Lake, „Kisasszonyfa” (old oak tree), Mohos Earthen Fortifi cation (blue waymarking)

Martonyi Continuously available programmes: Ruin of the church and monastery of the St. Paul Order: Here are the most well preserved ruins of the former buildings of the St. Paul Order in Hungary. Visitors can get to the church and the monastery built in the 14th century by following the green waymarking (about 3 km far from the village). Reconstruc- tion of the buildings is on going. Th e roof, the walls and the buttresses are already reconstructed but not yet the interiors.

39 Perkupa Th ere is a traditional fruit drying oven in the yard of the Village Museum. Th e region was famous for its fruit production a century ago. Several inhabitants of the village worked in construc- tions of castles and mansions in the 19th century. Th ey gained experiences and knowledge about preparing spectacular ornaments, which later was combined with traditional folk patterns. Th e most beautiful examples of the works of brick- layers can still be seen on hou ses in the Petőfi Street. Other interesting pieces of work are the stone bridges on Petőfi Street.

Opening: Village Museum: Petőﬁ St. 22. Booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-30/452-7763

Putnok Gömör card is accepted! Th e Gömör Museum exhibits several traditional utensils that used to be typical for Gömör County like ceramic pots (made of white clay), wooden boxes, textiles and painted Eastern eggs. László Holló’s paintings and drawings are exhibited, furthermore, visitors can also see the works of Izolda Macskássy painter and graphic artist as well as the works of István Faggyas graphic artist in the László Holló Gallery. Temporary exhibitions of contemporary art also can be seen.

Opening: Gömör Museum: Gömör card is accepted! Serényi L. Sq. 10. Information: see the enclosed leafl et. László Holló Gallery: Gömör card is accepted! Seress House, Rákóczi St. 14. Information: see the enclosed leafl et.

Continuously available programmes: Night in the Museum – László Holló Gallery: around mid-summer day Autumn Festival in the Gömör Museum

40 Ragály Some original documents and pictures of the Balassa family, an interior of a peasant room, tools of textile production and some poems of Bálint Balassi, the famous Hungarian poet who was a close relative of the family can be seen in the reconstructed two-storey Balassa Castle in the middle of a beautiful park. It is worth having a closer look at the iron staircase of the main entrance. Th e Reformed church next to the castle is from the Arpadian Ages, currently it is under excavation and reconstruction. Fres- cos have been recently found on the walls of the sanctuary and its arch. Th e original furniture of the gallery can also be observed. Th e author of the music of the second Hungarian national anthem had distant connections with the village, Béni Egressy’s grandfather used to be the priest of this church.

Opening: Balassa Castle: Information: see the enclosed leafl et. Reformed church: booking is required at least two days in advance. Phone: +36-48/354-172 (Bálint Morvai)

Rakacaszend Th e Reformed church was built in two periods in the Roman era. Medieval frescoes can be observed on the walls of the sanctuary and its arch. Th e painted coff ered ceiling was installed in the 1600s. Th e most interesting and valuable furniture are the Moses bench from the 1600s and the carved wooden family benches from 1824. Th e Greek Catholic church is dedicated to Mother Mary.

Opening: Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/357-009 (Attila Lukács), +36-48/357-065 (Municipality of Rakacaszend) Greek Catholic church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/357-015 (residence of the priest)

41 Rudabánya Th e Museum of Mining in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County provides an excellent exhibition on the Hungarian mining history from the ancient times up to recently. Th e biggest collection of minerals of Hungary can also be seen as well as the copies of the bones of Rudapithecus hungaricus. Th ere is an underground part of the museum where visitors can observe the most common mining methods, safety solutions and a workshop of a mine smith. Th ere are beautiful frescos and a painted coff ered ceiling in the Gothic Reformed church. Th e wooden ceiling is one of the largest in the area consisting of 120 panels with unique ornaments. Th ere are two gravestones within the church, one of them belongs to Istvány Perényi who died in 1432 and who was the Head of Food Service, the servant of King Sigismund. Th e iron door of the church with Anjou coat of arms and a German sentence was made in the 14th century. Th e original door is guarded in the Museum of Mining. Th e statue of the Hungarian poet József Gvadányi can be seen in the square in front of the church.

Opening: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Museum of Mining: Gömör card is accepted! Information: see the enclosed leafl et. Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/353-216

Continuously available programmes: Night in the Museum: around mid-summer day József Gvadányi Memory Week: middle of October Th e Museum Day off ers special programs in every year: confer- ence on mining history, paleontological results of excavations of the given year (if there were any)

42 Reccommended surface tours: Csorbakő ruins of a fortifi cation (green waymarking), about 10 km roundtrip from Rudabán- ya. A money forger workshop was operated in the fortifi cation in the 16th century.

Szalonna Th e sanctuary of the church was built in the Arpadian Ages later enlarged with a square nave in the 16th century. Th e frescos on the walls tell the story of St. Margaret. Th e protective stone wall around the church was made in the Middle Ages, the wooden bell tower was constructed in 1765.

Opening: Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/458-053 (Mrs. Béla Dúzs)

Szendrő

Th e Reformed church was constructed in 1663, but later it was rebuilt and now it is much smaller than it used to be. Th e bell tower was built well before the church originally it was used as a watch tower. A gorgeous panorama opens to the city from the top of the bell tower. Th e Franciscan Roman Catholic church is one of the largest in Europe. Th ere used to be a monastery next to the church but only the cloisters remained untouched by now. Th e gate arch of the Lórántff y Mansion from the 18th century was built into the entrance of the cloisters. A baptizing basin and a holy water basin can be found next to the main altar. Th ese were important parts of the chapel in the former Upper-Fort. Th ere is a crypt under the church but it has not been excavated and reconstructed yet and it is not open to the public. Th e Franciscan chapel is in the cemetery not far from the church.

43 An interesting exhibition is a school room from the childhood of our grandparents which can be seen in the Csáky Castle. Th e attic room provides a scene to several temporary art exhibitions. One of the oldest buildings in Szendrő is the Blue Linen Dyeing Museum and it was probably part of the fortifi cation built by the Habsburgs. Visitors can observe the blue linen dyeing workshop with the original equipment in the basement. Th e painted mate- rial was put to the attic to dry it. Several artifacts such as original traditional clothes made of blue linen are exhibited in the middle level of the building. Th ere used to be four fortifi cations in and around Szendrő, out of which the so called Upper-Fort was constructed most recently on a hill east of Szendrő. Original drawings support the fact that it had fi ve strong bastions. Unfortunately, the inner buidings were destroyed by fi re which was caused by a heavy lightning. Other parts of the fortifi cations were ruined by the army of Ferenc Rákóczi II.

Opening: Bell tower: every day, tickets available in the residence of the priest next to the tower Franciscan church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/460-793 (Mrs. László Fazekas) Exhibition on a school room: Information: see the enclosed leafl et Blue Linen Dyeing Museum: Information: see the enclosed leafl et Upper-Fort: free visit is available all the year round

Continuously available programmes: Recommended surface tours: Visit the Upper-Fort Medieval Fort Day in Szendrő: as part of the Szendrő Days, last weekend of June/fi rst weekend of July

Szin/Szelcepuszta A side road from the Szin-Szinpetri main road leads to the former hunting centre of Miklós Horthy, called Szelcepuszta. Th e original wooden hunting castle of Miklós Horthy was destroyed and now a newer building can be seen at the same place. Th ere is a game garden with wild boars and fallow deers next to the hunting centre.

Continuously available programmes: Recommended surface tours: „Badger” Education Trail

Szinpetri Th e reconstructed mill provides a scene for the exhibition of the

44 Great Book written about the Aggtelek National Park and a unique paper mill where visitors can make paper of their own. Th e museum also exhibits original reconstructed printing machines form the era of Guttenberg. Th e Reformed church of Szinpetri was built at the end of the 18th century. It was destroyed by fi re in 1877, the painted, colourful furniture was replaced by simple, dark coloured furniture. Th e exhibition titled as „And they are drinking the blood of an innocent from a centuries old goblet” can be seen in the congregation room. Th e exhibition introduces the history of Sz- inpetri village as well as the Reformed church from the end of the 17th century.

Opening: Exhibition on the history of the village and the church: From Easter to 31st October, booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/464-229, 30/686-3645 Paper Mill: Information: see the enclosed leafl et Continuously available programmes: Recommended surface tours: Tour to the „Nagy-Kopolya” Spring: when the snow melts in the begining of spring a beautiful, foun- tain-like spring comes to alive at the end of the Kopolya Valley. Hucul horse and grey cattle stable: near the Paper Mill, on the other side of the Jósva Stream

Szögliget

Pista bácsi’s Village Museum is really an extraordinary place, visitors can see a rich collection of old household utensils and farming tools, the guide is the owner himself. Pista bácsi

45 has made an exhibition place from the house of his parents, he tells many personal stories about each object, that is why a visit in the museum is an unforgettable experience. An other Village Museum is operated by the local municipality, a Szádvár Fortress model stand in the yard of it.

Opening: Pista bácsi’s Village Museum: Information: see the enclosed leafl et Village Museum of Szögliget: Information: see the enclosed leafl et Continuously available programmes: Recommended surface tours: Szádvár Fortress Education Trail Derenk: Th e ruins of a former village can be reached by a walk starting from the Szalamandra Hostel then turning left at Vidomáj and following the blue waymarking. Th e inhabitants of the ghost village were displaced by Miklós Horthy between 1938 and 1942 since he wanted to create a large continuous hunting area.

Teresztenye Th e small village is surrounded by a picturesque landscape with a real diamond on a hilltop: the Reformed church. Th e panels of the original painted coff ered ceiling are exhibited in the galleries. By following a path behind the building of the Municipality, visitors can reach the cemetery where specially carved wooden headmarks can be observed. Th ese wooden headmarks are looking towards the village as man-faced guards. Th e Kinizsi Spout Cave can be found close to the village which is part of a 7 km long and has not been completely explored cave system. Th e entrance of the cave is situated in a private yard so it can only be visited with the permission of the property owner.

46 Opening: Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/462-124 (Municipality of Teresztenye), or personally: Kossuth St. 7. (Ferenc Kallós)

Tornabarakony Th e Greek Catholic church was built in 1870. Some furniture such as the king door of the iconostas and the procession cross are probably from the older wooden church. An exhibition on the pictures of Jozef Peniasko taken in Tornabarakony can be visited in the residence of the priest opposite to the church. Th e exhibition titled as „A typical interior of a house in the region” introduces the interior of a house as it used to be in the begining of the 20th century. Th e exhibition can be seen in the previously richest farm house of the village.

Opening: Greek Catholic church: Phone: +36-70/55-26-735 Photo exhibition: Phone: +36-70/55-26-735 „A typical interior of a house in the region” exhibition: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-20/277-35-84 (Edit Jenei)

Tornakápolna Th e most spectacular and valuable parts of the Reformed church are its furniture. Colourful motifs were painted on the wooden coff ered ceiling. Th e same patterns can be observed on the pulpit. Th e atmosphere would be quite mournful due to the dominant dark colours, blue and green but the painter used light, bright colours as well like red, yellow and white to create a harmony of colours. It is also worth visiting the cemetery behind the church where several carved wooden headmarks are still being preserved. Beautiful traditional homes can be seen in the village. Th eir special features are the gabled roofs and carved wooden porches.

Opening: Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-30/536-1915

47 Tornanádaska

Some parts of the currently U-shaped Neobaroque Hadik Castle were built in the Middle Ages. In front of the main entrance there is an original Venetian-style well from the 15th century. A more than 300 years old Robinia tree can be found in the middle of the inner yard which was a unique species in the 1600s when it was planted. Th e castle currently houses a nursery school. Th e only living tree collection planted on karst area is in the park area surrounding the castle. Th e most interesting species is a se- quoia tree with a 30-40 cm diameter.

Opening: Park: free visit all year round. Th ere is a parking site in front of the main entrance of the castle Hadik Castle: for groups, booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/452-065, 453-502

Tornaszentandrás Th e Roman Catholic church built in the 12th century is standing on a hilltop surrounded by a gorgeous landscape. Miners from Tirol were settled at that time down the village to work in the mines of the Esztramos Hill. Th ose settlers built the church with a special twin-sanctuary. Th e main altar of the ruined Szádvár Fortress can be seen in the church. Th e walls are decorated with frescos from the Middle Ages and there are saints painted on the wooden panels of the gallery. Th e Village Museum shows the interior of a farm house and a photo exhibition on the history of the village.

Opening: Roman Catholic church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/453-009; +36-48/452-102 (residence of the priest)

48 Village Museum: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/453-006

Zubogy Th e Reformed church was originally built in the Arpa- dian Ages, but it was reconstructed in 1758. Th e interior is extremely beautiful due to a thorough restoration. Th e painted wooden ceiling is uniquely consists of long, narrow boards with special motifs: liana with leaves and bright fl owers. Th e wooden bell tower is opposite to the main entrance of the church.

Opening: Reformed church: booking in advance is required. Phone: +36-48/354-195

In the Slovak Karst

For opening hours, prices and other practical information about the palces worth visiting in the Slovak Karst see the enclosed leafl et. Rožňava Rožňava is a city with strong historic backround. First it was mentioned in a donation document by Andrew III. He was a Hungarian king who gave the settlement as a gift to the archbishop of Esztergom in 1291. It was declared to be a city by Louis the Great in 1382. Gold and silver were mined in the Middle Ages in the surrounding areas, later iron ore was mined. An important date is 1776 in the history of the city when Maria Th eresa founded the Rožňava Roman Catholic diocese by dividing the Esztergom archbisopric diocese. After the independence war of 1948-49 Rožňava became the centre of schools and trading. Famous scientists, artists, wri- ters – Hungarians as well as Slovakians - studied in the schools of the city. Th e bishops of Rožňava and the Andrássy family supported the development of the city on a large scale.

49 Watch Tower

Gömör card is accepted! Th e renaissance watch tower was built in the middle of the main square during the Turkish invasion between 1643 and 1654 (according to the plans of György Gerscheuer and Dániel Mosszen). It is possible that the tower was built to replace a previously ruined Gothic tower. Th e 38 m high tower was burnt in 1766, then the upper parts were reconstructed by building a Baroque circular gallery and a shingle-roof . A relief can be observed on the southern frontage showing the contemporary coat of arms of Rožňava fi xed to a stone board belonging to the period of the tower building. Th e tower is used as a view point since 1997 when it was reconstructed.

Statue of Franciska Andrássy Th e secessionist statue of Franciska Andrássy (1838 - 1902) was made of Carrara marble by János Horvay and Ödön Szamovolszky sculptors. Th e plan of the monument was prepared by Richard Berndl, who also planned the Andrássy Mausoleum in Krásno- horské Podhradie. Th e monument was fi nanced from public con- tributions and set up in 1905 to commemorate the beloved patroness of the city. It was removed in the 1960s but it was restored and replaced in 1993.

Bishop Cathedral See the next chapter on the Gothic monumets of the region.

50 Museum of Mining Gömör Card is accepted! It is a regional museum with a purpose of showing the history of mining and metallurgy in Gömör County. Th e following permanent exhibitions can be seen: Mining and metallurgy in Gömör, Miners’ workplaces, Natural values of the Slovak Karst, History of the City. Th e Gallery of the Museum, showing temporary exhibitions of fi ne arts, can be found in the Square of Miners.

Andrássy Castle, Betliar

Gömör Card is accepted! Th e Andrássy Castle is one of the most beautiful and most valuable monuments of Slovakia visited by thousands of tour- ists in every year. Th e Castle, surrounded by a fabulous Eng- lish-style park, can be found in Betliar, north from Rožňava. Visitors can see rich collections of furniture, paintings, arms, porcelains and glasses, this way getting to know the noble way of living of the previous centuries. Th e most interesting collections are the ones consisting of hunting trophies of rare animals. Th e collections introduce the fi elds of interests of the Andrássys. After fi nishing the reconstruction of the Castle in 1994, it was awarded by EUROPA NOSTRA. Visitors can rest and walk in the park of the castle where fountains, sculp- tures, romantic garden pavilions and exotic plants can be seen. Th e park was entitled to a World Historical Garden in 1977.

51 Krásnohorské Podhradie Krásna Hôrká Fortress Gömör Card is accepted! Th e „proud” fortress, built on the hilltop near the village of Krásnohorské Podhradie in the Middle Ages, is one of the most valuable and most well-known monument of Gömör County. A fortress was biult by the Máriássys in the 1320s, which was later reconstructed and enlarged by the Bebeks. Some centures later, the fortress was owned by the Andrássys who reconstructed it to be a convenient place of living. A museum was established in the fortress by its last owner, Baron Dénes Andrássy, which was opened to the public in 1906. Th e collections of the fortress consist of the original furniture and artefacts at their original places. Th e most interesting exhibitions can be found in the kitchen, the ceremony and meeting halls, the chapel, furthermore, the collection of weapons is also worth seeing.

Andrássy Mausoleum Th e Andrássy Mausoleum built in 1904 is one of the most valuable secessionist monuments in Slovakia. It is the burial place of Dénes Andrássy and his wife, Franciska, who were the last owners of the Krásna Hôrka property. Th e interior is decorated with marbles from diff erent places of the world.

Andrássy Gallery Th e Andrássy Gallery was built by Baron Dénes Andrássy in 1908- 1909, according to the plans of Rezső Hültl. Th e opening ceremony of the Gallery was in 1909, showing an exhibition of the works of German and French painters. Th ese art works were pieces of the private picture collection of Dénes Andrássy. Currently, a permanent exhibition of 18th and 19th century portraits as well as the famous picture of „Th e death of Attila” painted by Ferenc Paczka in 1884 can be seen in the Gallery.

52 Gothic cultural values of the area Most of the signifi cant cultural values of the region can be found along the so called Gothic Route. It is the fi rst thematic educational route of Slovakia.

Gelnica Th e Mary Assumption Church was built in the 14th century. Th e only original Gothic piece of art of the church is the copper baptizing basin.

Chyžné 14th century pictures can be seen on the walls of the church dedicated to the Salvation of Virgin Mary. Th e most signifi - cant furniture of the church is the late Gothic winged altar made by master Pál Lőcsei in 1508.

Koceľovce Pictures painted in the last third of the 14th century can be seen on the walls of the Gothic Lutheran church built in the fi rst part of the 14th century.

Lúčka

Th e most valuable architectural monument of the village and its surrounding areas is the church originally built in the 13th century on the hilltop next to the village. It is supposed to be a Hussite church because the army of Jiskra reconstructed it as a fortifi cation. Th e protecting wall and the watch tower were built in the beginning of the 15th century. Currently, visitors can see the ruins of the church walls, the damaged protecting walls and watch tower. Free visit is all the year round.

53 Ochtiná Pictures painted in 1370 can be seen on the walls of the church constructed in the fi rst part of the 13th century. Th e chapel with a star arch was built in the 15th century.

Rožňava Bishop Cathedral Th e „Mary Assumption Cathedral” was the church of the city until 1776. Its construction originally was fi nished in the begining of the 14th century (in 1304). First it had only one nave, later it was enlarged in the beginning of the 16th century, with a northern aisle and a late Gothic Bakócz Chapel. A late Gothic altar the only Middle Age furniture built in 1507 is standing next to the northern wall of the sanctuary. One of the most valuable pieces of arts is a late Gothic board-picture (Metercia) portraying Saint Anne and three other persons. It was painted in 1513. Th e Baroque-neoclassic bell tower is standing sepa- rately from the church, it was built by János Mayer local archi- tect in 1799.

Smolník Th e „Saint Catherine Church” was built in 1801. Th e church was dedicated to the patroness of miners. Its most valuable furniture is the altar with the picture of Saint Catherine made in 1805.

Štítnik 14th-16th century pictures on the walls as well as an organ made in 1492 can be seen in the Gothic Lutheran church.

Memory Houses and Rooms in the Slovak Karst

Name of the Memory House/ Address Phone Room Pavol Jozef Šafárik 049 23 Kobeliarovo 78 +421-58-795 12 43 Memory House Pavol Emanuel +421-58-799 91 62, Dobšinský 049 36 Slavošovce 157 +421-907-210 907 Memory Room Fraňo Kráľ 049 26 Vyšná Slaná 29 +421-58-794 01 41 Memory Room Július Botto 049 32 Rozložná +421-58-793 14 38 Memory Room JJuraj Hronec 049 24 Gočovo +421-58-795 91 16 Memory House

54 Local products and services

In the Aggtelek Karst Abod GRIP Kft. Kossuth St. 8. Th e small factory produces bio oil from sunfl ower and pumkin seeds as well as bio salad oil (BIO SUISSE control is applied). Visit to the factory with booking in advance. Information: Phone: +36/48/460-038, 20/973-3181 (László Berkesi) [email protected], www.grip.hu.

Aggtelek Souvenir Shop Th e shop is in the Visitor Centre next to the entrance of Bara- dla Cave in Aggtelek. You can fi nd here everything you might need: books, maps, souvenirs, sportswear and sports equipment. Aggtelek, next to the Baradla Cave entrance, Phone: +36 48/503-000

Open Farm Yard - Kossuth St. 49. Programmes can be booked in advance from 1st March, 2010 till the end of the year. Off ered tasteful and memorable programmes for groups (max. 15 persons): introduction of the farm yard with tasting local traditional foods and home made jams, foods cooked on open fi re from game meat or mush- rooms. Information: Phone: +36/30/93-31-718 (Koltay couple) e-mail: [email protected], www.erdeigomba.hu.

55 Tasting local traditional foods in the Village Museum - Kossuth St. 2. Off ered foods: bread, small loafs of bread, fl at bread, sweet bread, „herőce” (a sweet crisp cookie), strudel, potato pancake. Visitors can actively take part in the preparing process of the chosen food. Th e program is available for 5-30 persons. Information, booking in advance: Phone: +36/30/435-47-88, +36/48/503-208, (Mrs. Istán Szűcs), +36/48/503-209 (Municipality of Aggtelek) Dövény Salad oils, cooking oils, dried fruits Th e oil mill in Sajókaza and the fruit drier in Dövény can be visited with booking in advance. Information: Phone: +36/20/937-518 (Péter Orbán) e-mail: [email protected], www.orbanmajor.hu. Gömörszőlős Visitors can experience and observe how felting is done. Visi- tors can also learn about the role of felting it played in the history of Hungarians. Th e programme requires booking in advance. Information and booking in advance: Phone: +36/20/438 84 61 (Judit É.Kovács), e-mail: [email protected] Hét Th e philosophy of Attila Szeles bio vegetable producer is that the secret of a healthy life is eating healthy foods made of healthy vegetables and fruits. Th at is why he produces bio vegetables for his family and his customers. Bio vegetables can be ordered via his webshop and delivery service. Information: Phone: +36/30/506-51-40 (Attila Szeles) [email protected], [email protected], www.bioeleskamra.hu. Jósvafő Th e „Open Barn” can be found in the old historic part of Jósvafő. According to booking in advance, special gastromy programmes are off ered to families or groups, following a guided village walk during daytime or night time hours. A tour to the Vineyard Hill is also available (see chapter Surface tours).

Tasting local traditional foods and drinks: Bread and fl at bread baked in an open-air oven, potato pancake, goulash soup with home made bread, home made cakes fi lled with walnut and jam, local „pálinka”, wine and soda-water, lemonade and tea with lemon-balm and mint.

56 Men in the karst Visitors can actively take part in the preparing process of the chosen food: bread and fl at bread baked in an open-air oven and potato pancake. Th e programme is available for 5-10 persons. For larger groups (11-40 persons) 40-60 minutes long alternating programmes in smaller groups are available includ- ing the visit of the Village Museum, coach riding and guided tour along the „Ichneumon” Education Trail. Information, booking in advance: Phone: +36/30/33-11-722 (Béla Berecz) Fax: +36/48/350-053, e-mail: [email protected], www.josvafo.hu/turizmus

Kánó Palinka distillery workshop - Kossuth St. 30. Several types of „pálinka“ is prepared from locally produced fruits and collected wild berries. Lecture, introduction of the technology and tasting “pálinka” are available in the Distillery with booking in advance. Information, booking in advance: Phone: +36/48/353-498 (Lajos Bokros)

Szendrő Goat farm - Ivancsótanya (Ivancsó Farm) According to booking in advance from May till September, visitors can take part in a 30-minutes programme of the goat farm visit and cheese making from goat milk. Tasting diff erent kinds of goat cheeses is also available Information, booking in advance: Phone: +36 48/560-525, mobile: +36 30/487-0538 (Gábor Fidrus)

Crafting shop - Fő St. 17. Souvenirs made of blue linen and other textiles, hand made artifacts and several kinds of materials for crafting are available. Opening: Mon, Sat: 8.00-12.00, Tue-Fri: 8.00-16.00 Information: Phone: +36/20/554-3290 (Anna Spisák)

Honey - Honvéd St. 21 Traditional production of honey and products for buying. Information: Phone: +36 20/431-5134 (János Ambrus producer)

57 Szin

Exhibition of hand made leather products and leather crafting - Szabadság St. 102. During a crafting programme visitors can make leather artifacts of their own. Hand made products are for sale.

Preparing traditional Transylvanian pastry horns (min. 4 pieces) is an other optional programme. Information, booking in advance: Phone: +36/48/464-065, +36/30/499-1659 (Árpád and Erzsébet Magyar)

Szögliget Traditional open-air fruit drying oven - Szabadság Sq. 1. Information: Phone: +36/30/63-11-514 (Tamás Burinda)

In the Slovak Karst Gemer Craftsmen Association Crafting Center in Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka (Remeselnícky dom v Krásnohorskej Dlhej Lúke)

Th e main purpose of the Crafting Center is to keep alive traditional crafts like basketry, weaving, making paper and pottery. Th ere is a crafting workshop in the Center where skills can be learned and the previously prepared artifacts are exhibited. Souvenirs are for sale. Future objectives are keeping alive traditional skills and preserving hand-made artifacts of Gömör County, introducing craftsmenship to the wide public, teaching skills and ancient knowledge to future generations, organizing national and international events thus preserving traditions. Th e Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka Workshop for Children takes place at the end of every July, where participants can choose among 10-12 playful crafts. Visitors can take part in a traditional bread baking in the yard of the Center in the weeks of July and August.

Tasting traditional foods and specialities of the local cuisine Kovács Cottage (Vila u Kovácsa), Hrušov Visitors can taste home-made scones, sausages, brawns and vines in the Kovács Cottage. Live folk music provides a special atmosphere while enjoying the tasting of local cuisine.

58 Practical information In the Aggtelek Karst Transportation MÁV – information on the schedule of trains in the region: +36/40/49-49-49, Jósvafő-Aggtelek Railway Station: +36/48/462-105 Deatiled schedule of trains in Hungary: www.mav-start.hu, www.elvira.hu Volán – information on the schedule of buses in the region: Miskolc: +36/46/340-288 Kazincbarcika: +36/48/312-940 Deatiled schedule of buses in Hungary: www.volan.hu, www.menetrendek.hu Suggested routs by car from Budapest: • M3–M-30–Miskolc–Edelény–Szin–Jósvafő–Aggtelek • M3 (to Füzesabony)–Eger–Szilvásvárad–Kazincbarcika– Szuhakálló–Felsőnyárád–Aggtelek–Jósvafő • M3–Hatvan–Bátonyterenye–Pétervására–Ózd–Bánréve– Serényfalva–Aggtelek–Jósvafő

Public information Doctors on duty 3733 Rudabánya, Petőfi St. 5., Phone: +36/48/353-232 (17.00-7.00) 3752 Szendrő, Rákóczi St. 17. Phone: +36/48/460-023 (16.00-7.30) Ambulance 3752 Szendrő, Phone: +36/48/460-017, +36/48/460-444 only transport (to the Hospital in Kazincbarcika) Phone: +36/48/311-404, emergency: 104 Fire brigade 3752 Szendrő, Phone: +36/48/560-010, +36/48/560-013 3700 Kazincbarcika, Phone: +36/48/510-330, Fax: +36/48/510-331 Police 3780 Edelény, Phone: +36/48/341-311, +36/48/341-911, +36/48/524-000 3763 Bódvaszilas, Phone: +36/48/454-014 ATM Bódvaszilas (20km), Putnok (30km), Szendrő (35km) In post offi ces: 3759 Aggtelek, Kossuth St. 37. Phone: +36/48/343-156, +36/48/343-097, Opening hours on weekdays: 8.30-12.00, 13.00-16.00

59 3758 Jósvafő, Ady E. St. 2., Phone: +36/48/350-016, Opening hours on weekdays: 8.00-10.00, 13.00-16.00 (VISA, ELECTRON, MAESTRO, MASTER CARD, ECD) Petrol station Aggtelek, Phone: +36/48/343-063 Szendrő (35km), Kazincbarcika (35km), Putnok (30km), Bód- vaszilas (20km) (distances in brackets: from Aggtelek)

In the Slovak Karst Public information

Post offi ces in Rožňava Šafárikova 62, 048 80 Rožňava Zakarpatská 19, 048 03 Rožňava, Phone: +421/58/7322 289

Petrol stations in Rožňava Shell, Phone: +421 58 788 1544 Tibor Lilgárt, Jovická 1744, Phone: +421 58 7331609 Slovnaft, Košická St., Phone: +421 58 73 22 451, Fax: +421 58 73 41 901

Petrol stations in the surrounding areas of Rožňava OMV, 049 12 Čoltovo 171, Phone: +421 58 7927184, Fax: +421 58 7927184 Slovnaft, 049 25 Dobšiná, Phone: +421 58 79 41 381, Fax: +421 58 78 82 580 Slovnaft, 04911 Plešivec, Phone: +421 58 79 21 103, Fax: +421 58 73 27 776

ATM in Rožňava ČSOB Rožňava, Šafárikova 18 HM Tesco, Krásnohorská 5, 048 01 Rožňava OTP BANKA Rožňava, U zeleného stromu 10, 048 01 Rožňava SLOVENSKÁ SPORITEĽŇA, Šafárikova 22, 048 01 Rožňava TATRA BANKA Rožňava, Námestie baníkov 1, 048 01 Rožňava VÚB Rožňava, Šafárikova 21, 048 73 Rožňava UNIBANKA Rožňava, Nám. Baníkov 33, 048 01 Rožňava

Exchange offi ces in Rožňava ČSOB Rožňava, Šafárikova 18 Hotel Čierny Orol (Black Eagle Hotel), Námestie Baníkov 17 OTP BANKA Rožňava, U zeleného stromu 10 SLOVENSKÁ SPORITEĽŇA Rožňava, Šafárikova 22

60 TATRA BANKA Rožňava, Námestie baníkov 1 TIC Rožňava (Tourism Information Centre), Námestie baníkov 32 UNICREDITBANK Rožňava, Námestie Baníkov 33 VÚB Rožňava, Šafárikova 21 Tourist information:

Tourism Information Centre Rožňava 32 Námestie Banikov, Rožňava Phone: +421 58/732-8101, Fax: +421 58/732-4837 e-mail: [email protected], www.roznava.sk

Gate of the Karst Tourism Information Offi ce 048 12 Gemerská Hôrka, Penzión SKALNÁ RUŽA Phone/Fax: +421 58/792-1458, e-mail: [email protected]

Slovak Karst National Park Directorate Biely kaštiel’ č. 188, 049 51 Brzotín Phone: +421 58/732-6815, www.sopsr.sk

Tourism Information Offi ce and Bicycle Repairing Workshop, Bohúnovo Open: Tue– Fri: 8.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 17.00, Sat: 8.00 – 13.00 Other available services: photo copying, CD-burning, interpreting (Hungarian - Slovakian) Information: +421 910/446 984 e-mail: [email protected]

61 62 Contents

Foreword 2 How I preserve natural values? 3 Gömör Card 4 World Heritage in the depth of earth 5 Cave tours in the Aggtelek National Park 5 Daily cave tours 6 Tours requiring booking in advance 7 Cave tours in the Slovak Karst National Park 10 Surface tours and education trails 12 Guided tours in the Aggtelek National Park and its surrounding areas 13 Education trails in the Aggtelek National Park 15 Guided tours in the Slovak Karst National Park and its surrounding areas 18 Education Trails in the Slovak Karst 19 Bicycle routes 20 Routes in the Aggtelek Karst 20 In the Slovak Karst 21 Horse riding 22 In the Aggtelek National Park 23 In the Slovak Karst 23 Hunting 24 In the Aggtelek Karst 24 In the Slovak Karst 24 Fishing 25 In the Aggtelek Karst 25 In the Slovak Karst 25 Places worth visiting 26 In the Aggtelek National Park 26 In the Aggtelek National Park and its surrounding areas 34 In the Slovak Karst 49 Local products and services 55 In the Aggtelek Karst 55 In the Slovak Karst 58 Practical information 59 In the Aggtelek Karst 59 In the Slovak Karst 60

63 Publication editor: Gábor Salamon director Edited by the Ecotourism and Environmental Education Department Photos by: ANP archives, Béla Berecz, Péter Borzsák, Csaba Egri