Hidden treasures

Among the hiking spots in the Zemplén Mountains, the lake on the 324-metre high, volcanic Megyer‑hegy is one of the most popular. The tarn was previously a millstone mine; its remains are visible to this day. Let’s head for the northeastern corner of Hungary.

Hungary is truly the country of a thousand surprises. Perhaps it is hard to believe, but just a ninety-minute drive from Budapest, you can witness a natural phenomenon in Egerszalók that occurs in only three places in the entire world. Shall we?

The Káli Basin on the shores of Lake Balaton is also called the “Hungarian Mediterranean” because of its rolling hills and southern European atmosphere resembling Toscana. Discover the romantic little villages of this region!

Works have been collected at the library of the Cistercian Abbey in Zirc, Hungary, since the 1700s. Today, this extraordinary collection includes 65,000 volumes, including ancient prints of exceptional value, extraordinary books and rare periodicals. You’ll find mainly theological-themed writings, but many other disciplines are also represented in this sublime place.

The northeastern region of Hungary has many late Roman-style village churches. One of the finest examples would be the Csaroda Reformed Church in the Bereg Plain, built in the late 13th century.

Hungarians are known far and wide for their red paprika, goulash and the “Hungarian sea”, Lake Balaton, but we shouldn’t forget their multicoloured folk art traditions, of which Matyó embroidery culture is a fine example. The home of the world-famous Matyó embroidery and dress is Mezőkövesd, a small town in Northern Hungary not far from Eger and Szilvásvárad, known as the “capital of Matyóföld.”