Noszvaj’s cave dwellings, the ancient furnace and the National Memorial Park – unmissable sights in the Mátra and the Bükk

As you trek up the forested slopes of the Mátra, you are heading towards Hungary’s largest and best‑equipped astronomical centre. The Piszkéstető Observatory, which is situated at an altitude of 944 metres and far from any sources of light pollution, was founded in 1958. It houses the country’s most powerful telescopes: the RCC telescope, which has a mirror that is 1 metre in diameter, and the wide‑field Schmidt telescope, which astronomers have used to discover 2,000 new asteroids, five comets and fifty new supernovas. Join a guided tour and you can observe asteroids and distant galaxies for yourself. 

One of the Mátra’s most remarkable places captivates not with dramatic cliffs but with its tranquillity. The Szentkút National Shrine, on the outskirts of Mátraverebély, has attracted pilgrims for centuries, and its intimate atmosphere touches visitors regardless of why they are there. The spring, the cave chapel and the forest‑embraced shrine radiate a unique calm. More than 100,000 people visit it each year, but you will find a quiet bench or pathway for reflection at any time of the year. If you are looking for accommodation in the Mátra, you will find excellent options here: the Szentkút Pilgrim House and its family apartments offer rest and comfort. In fact, when it comes to accommodation, Mátra is among the most visitor‑friendly regions in the country.

A more sombre yet essential stop on your Mátra journey is the Recsk National Memorial Park, located 6 km from the village. Known as the “Hungarian Gulag”, the former forced‑labour camp now serves as an open‑air museum authentically presenting the political repression of the 1950s. Nearly 2,000 prisoners suffered here between 1948 and 1953, and to this day the exact number of those who perished under the brutal conditions remains unknown. 

Crossing into the Bükk, the magnificent natural surroundings conceal fascinating industrial relics. The ancient furnace of Újmassa, hidden in the Garadna Valley, was built in 1813. It is one of Europe’s most significant surviving ironworks and one of Hungary’s most important industrial monuments. Established by Henrik Fazola, the facility fundamentally transformed Hungarian iron production in the first half of the 19th century. The Hámori Lake reservoir, constructed to power the enormous ironworks that operated until 1867, is also well worth a visit.

One of the Bükk’s most intriguing hidden treasures welcomes you near Noszvaj. The Noszvaj cave dwellings, carved into rhyolite tuff, have been known since the 16th century and served both residential and agricultural purposes. Some estimates suggest that they once housed hundreds of people. Since the late 20th century, the Farkaskő Art Colony has been based here, offering various workshops and creative activities.

These few highlights also show that the Mátra and the Bükk offer experiences for every generation. Whether you travel with family, alone, with the dog, by car, bicycle or train, you will undoubtedly return home refreshed and inspired.