NORTHERN HUNGARY Feast in a Border Fortress by NATURE… ROAMING in NORTHERN HUNGARY
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THINK HUNGARY, MORE THAN EXPECTED NORTHERN HUNGARY Feast in a border fortress BY NATURE… ROAMING IN NORTHERN HUNGARY The unique nature, untouched All over this territory thermal springs gush in many places, ofers numerous up from the depths of the earth, providing opportunities for complete relief for body and soul. Its soil and climate relaxation, active leisure time are excellent for vine growing as well at and even extreme sports with the hands of expert viticulturists, making some of the most renowned wines in the its mountains, forests, rivers, country, such as the Bull’s Blood of Eger lakes and wide pastures. and Tokaj Aszú. You can join a hunting or ishing This region also hides plenty of un- tour in the region, get familiar known treasures: the oldest caves, the most with domestic animals, or take famous fort, the longest chair lift, the unique snapshots of rare species villages at the northern border of the coun- of animals and plants. try, the most famous pilgrimage site, the most colourful folklore, the smallest and Civilizations have inhabited oldest settlement, the only natural cave bath, and the climatic health resort with the clean- est air in Hungary. It is no accident that most of Hungary’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and assets can be found here. Winter activities have increased dramat- ically in recent years. New ski courses have been developed; dog sled races, horse sleigh programs, charming Christmas fairs and an aspic festival, draw visitors to this region even on cold days. Tokaj wine People living here value good food, too, verified by a large number of restaurants providing versatile culinary delights to their this area since prehistoric ages guests. They serve the genuine dishes of and created traditions well their ancestors in many places even today. Hospitable local people await visitors known all around the World with plenty of accommodation options, and its wealth of distinctive forts, the traveller can go to sleep in a contempo- castles, homes, treasures and rary farmhouse, comfortable private pen- artefacts. sion, an elegant hotel or castle. Northern Hungary » Roaming in Norhern Hungary | Hungarian Tourism Limited » gotohungary.com 1 NÓGRÁD AND THE REGION THE PALÓC MIRACLE The little hamlets hidden in the valleys, the geological rarities, the living traditions, colourful clothing and delicious food pro- vide the opportunity to live a more tradi- tional life, often missed in our everyday routine in the fast paced world today. Salgótarján commemorates the mining past of the settlement with the irst underground mining museum in the country presenting the past, and the technical monuments of the Nógrád coal basin. The intact gallery system of the former in- clined Joseph pit in the heart of the town has been declared an industrial monument. The town has a unique position by the Mountains of Karancs and Medves, both of volcanic ori- gin, and also the northern foothills of the Matra mountains. The Salgó fortress dominates in the nearby town, the steep hillside is worth climbing for the beautiful views. The fortress of Somoskő is situated along the Hungarian-Slova- The fortress hill of Salgó is an excellent example of the “wool sack” crum- bling of basalt stone. The fortress of Salgó Somoskő fortress Northern Hungary » Nógrád and the region | 2 Hungarian Tourism Limited » gotohungary.com Fortress of Somoskô kian border. A basalt spill, a sight of European fame can be visited in the neighbouring country with its 8-9 m high ba- salt “cascade” standing like organ pipes on the hillside. The Silence, peace, Medves plateau is the largest basalt plateau in Central Eu- closeness to rope. Walking on its top makes you feel like walking in a nature, fresh air plain, while fauna characteristic to diferent climate zones can be observed in the same place. The wonderful environ- and opportunity ment and the natural peculiarities make the Medves plateau for unforgettable an excellent terrain for hiking, cycling and horse riding. experiences, all this Szécsény is worth visiting for its castle, beautifully pre- is ofered to you served and renovated on the territory of the former fortress con- stituting the historical core of the town. The building erected by Nógrád and its in rural Baroque style accommodates a museum; and its park is district. under natural protection. The ire tower was built in the cent- er of the town, which is obviously slanted, tilted to the north. Northern Hungary » Nógrád and the region | Hungarian Tourism Limited » gotohungary.com 3 Balassagyarmat is the capital of Palóc land. The Palóc people have a deserved reputation for their valuable and spe- cial folk art and clothes which are presented in the Palóc museum and in its park. The most beautiful building of the town is the former county hall built in classicist style. The or- thodox Jewish cemetery was the irst to be drawn under pro- tection in Hungary. Kazár From a bird’s eye view the Hollókő, a Palóc settlement preserved most homogene- fortress of Hollókő is like ously is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. Walking a snail shell with the pen- around the 58 protected buildings of the old village and the tagonal old tower in its small church, you may feel as if you were walking in the past. centre. Nevertheless, this part of the village is inhabited even today. Reminders of the rural culture including traditional activities are presented in the houses: pottery, weaving and basket weav- ing amid the rich folklore characteristic to the region. In the fortress erected above the village, fortress tournaments are performed to entertain visitors in summer time. Have you ever walked on the bottom of a sea in the mid- dle of Europe? If you want to, you have to visit Ipolytarnóc where the lora and fauna of an ancient sea from 20 million years ago has been preserved for us by a volcanic eruption. A unique thematic trail has been constructed in the place Northern Hungary » Nógrád and the region | 4 Hungarian Tourism Limited » gotohungary.com called the “Palóc Pompeii”. On the 800 metre long tour, you ind yourself in a place with an unprecedented abundance Szentkút is a of residue of an ancient world, including the footprints of a national shrine, large number of ancient animals, shark teeth, petriied trees a pilgrimage site and plant prints. One of the renowned sights is the petriied pieces of a 20 million years old ancient pine 8 metres in cir- in Palóc land. cumference and 100 metres long. Fortress of Hollókő The settlement Kazár is situated in a quiet valley sever- al kilometres away from Salgótarján, where you can see the most beautiful farm houses with knotted and saddle roofs, porches, and the most colourful female clothes of Palóc land. At the border of the settlement, a volcanic formation unique in Central Europe can be seen on an area of one hectare. This wonderful natural sight is rhyolit tuf erosion resembling a moon landscape. At Kozárd the green valley, the hillside covered with juni- per, apricot and cherry orchards, apple woods and “mangal- ica” pig farms as preserved relics of rural life, as well as the delicacies of Palóc and rural Hungarian gastronomy await the traveller. The traveller can ind an excellent four-star hotel in the castle of Szirák. Northern Hungary » Nógrád and the region | Hungarian Tourism Limited » gotohungary.com 5 GYÖNGYÖS AND THE MÁTRA REGION MÁTRA, EXPERIENCE IN ANY SEASON The surroundings of Gyöngyös gone complete reconstruction; it accommo- have been inhabited since an- dates the Mátra Museum today. The southern slopes of the volcanic cient times. Civilization has cre- Mátra mountains provide ideal conditions ated numerous monuments in for the largest historical wine district of the the small town, thus it is rightly region, the Mátra Wine District. This is why recommended to travellers. Gyöngyös has become a town of vineyards and wine. Aromatic nectars have deserved be- A conspicuous building in the centre of ing tasted in the wine cellars of Farkasmály, the town is the church in Baroque style. Its lined up at the edge of the town. In the win- treasury hides Renaissance liturgical ob- ery of Nagyréde, in the historical cellar of jects of considerable value. The precious Gyöngyöstarján as well as in the press hous- monuments of the town include the Fran- es hollowed out in the tuf of Gyöngyöspata. ciscan church and monastery. The only feu- Mátra is an emblematic mountain in dal library in the country can also be seen in Hungary since it is the highest peak in the The world of beech forests cool in the summer, foggy peaks mysterious in autumn, and the possibility of skiing in sparkling sunshine in the winter attract thousands of tourists to the versatile Mátra Mountain. Gyöngyöspata the monastery that has functioned without country, the 1014 metre high Kékestető, interruption since the middle ages with which can be found here along with the ad- 14 thousand volumes, including 200 incu- joining second highest point, Galyatető. This nabula. region is a climatic health resort because of The stone lions guarding the gate of the its crystal clear air. Mátra with its signpost- Orczy castle are considered the symbol of ed and marked hiking trails is a paradise for Gyöngyös. The castle building has under- hikers. Northern Hungary » Gyöngyös and the Mátra region | 6 Hungarian Tourism Limited » gotohungary.com The church of Gyöngyöspata with its unique decoration can be proud of its wooden Jesse altar unprecedented in Europe. A copy of the Nekcsei Bible can also be seen in the church. Gyöngyös Northern Hungary » Gyöngyös és a Mátra térsége | itthon.hu 7 Two modern ski centres have been In Mátrafüred adventurous tourists can constructed on its slopes in recent years, join guided Segway and Nordic Walking Kékestető and Mátraszentistván, where well- tours through the forest.