Hotel Unicornis
Eger - Dr. Hibay K. 2
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Eger is a spa town located in the northern part of Hungary, 130 kilometres from Budapest, and is considered one of the country’s most fascinating destinations. With a population of 56,000, this baroque city has preserved an exceptional historical heritage that recounts centuries of dominations and battles. Its fame is inextricably linked to the legendary 1552 defence against the Ottoman army, when just 2,000 Hungarian soldiers resisted the siege of 40,000 Turks for 38 days.
In addition to its military history, Eger is renowned for the production of the famous Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) wine, a full-bodied red blend that you can taste in the characteristic cellars carved into the tuff in the Valley of Beautiful Women. The city also boasts an important spa heritage, with curative waters that flow at temperatures between 28 and 68 degrees Celsius, offering a wellness experience that complements the cultural visit.
The historical centre is built around the Neoclassical Basilica, second in size only to the Basilica of Esztergom, and features perfectly preserved Baroque architecture that testifies to the city’s heyday in the 18th century. The only Turkish minaret left intact in Hungary, a tangible symbol of the 91 years of Ottoman occupation, adds to the cityscape’s uniqueness.
To visit Eger is to immerse oneself in an authentic Hungarian atmosphere, far from the mass tourism of Budapest, but with a cultural, gastronomic and spa offer of the highest level that deserves at least two days of exploration.
The city offers an extraordinary concentration of historical, architectural and natural attractions packed into a compact centre that is easy to explore on foot. From medieval fortifications to Baroque vestiges, from Ottoman remains to modern spa facilities, every corner tells a page of Hungary’s rich history. The combination of cultural heritage and wine tradition makes Eger a complete destination that satisfies every type of visitor.
Eger Castle dominates the town from its strategic position on a hill and is a symbol of Hungary’s heroic resistance against the Ottoman invasion. In 1552, under the leadership of Captain István Dobó, the fortress withstood the siege of a numerically overwhelming Turkish army for 38 days. This victory, although only temporary (the Ottomans conquered Eger in 1596), became legendary in Magyar history and is celebrated in the national novel ‘The Stars of Eger’ by Géza Gárdonyi.
Today the castle houses several thematic museums illustrating the military history of the fortress, with a rich collection of medieval and Renaissance weapons. Particularly impressive are the underground ramparts and the casemate system built in the 16th century, which you can explore on a guided tour of about 200 metres. The visit also includes the Bishop’s House, where archaeological finds documenting the Roman and medieval occupation of the site are on display.
From the top of the walls there is an exceptional panoramic view of the city, with the Basilica towering in the foreground and the vine-covered hills of the Valle delle Belle Donne in the background. The castle also hosts historical re-enactments during the summer, with sword and arquebus fighting demonstrations recreating the atmosphere of the 1552 siege.
The Basilica of Eger, dedicated to St. John the Apostle and St. Michael the Archangel, is the second largest church in Hungary after the Basilica of Esztergom. Built between 1831 and 1836 to a design by architect József Hild, the building is a masterpiece of Hungarian neoclassicism with an imposing façade featuring six 17-metre high Corinthian columns and a tympanum decorated with allegorical sculptures.
The interior is equally majestic, with a nave that can seat up to 6,000 worshippers and exceptional acoustics that enhance the regularly organised organ concerts. The organ, built in 1856 by the Angster company from Pécs, has 3,500 pipes and is considered one of the most valuable instruments in Hungary. The frescoes decorating the dome and vaults are the work of Johann Lucas Kracker and his pupil Giuseppe Zotti, created in the second half of the 19th century.
Of particular interest is the underground crypt, accessible via a side staircase, where several archbishops of Eger are buried. The Basilica also houses valuable relics, including fragments of the True Cross and the remains of Hungarian saints. Admission is free, but to visit the crypt and climb the bell tower (from which there is an extraordinary view of the city) a fee of 500 forints is required. The tower offers a different perspective from the castle, with a privileged view of the Baroque centre.
The Eger Min aret is the only remaining intact minaret in Hungary and is the most striking testimony to the 91 years of Ottoman occupation (1596-1687). At 40 metres high, it was built in the early 17th century in the classical Ottoman style, using red bricks arranged in a distinctive decorative pattern. The structure stands next to the Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi, creating an architectural contrast that symbolises the city’s complex religious history.
To reach the top, you have to climb 97 steps up a narrow, steep spiral staircase, with a gradient that becomes progressively steeper. The interior still retains traces of the original plasterwork decorated with Islamic geometric patterns, although much of the decoration has been lost over the centuries. From the upper balcony, which was originally used by the muezzin for the call to prayer, there is a 360-degree view of the city that allows one to appreciate the urban structure of Eger.
The minaret is open to the public from April to October, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the ticket costs 600 forints. It is not recommended for those suffering from vertigo or claustrophobia, due to the narrowness of the staircase. The visit takes about 15-20 minutes and is a unique experience to understand the multicultural heritage of the city. Nearby is a small museum dedicated to the history of the Ottoman presence in Eger.
The Szépasszony-völgy (Valley of Beautiful Women) is one of Hungary’s most characteristic wine-growing areas, located just 2 kilometres from the centre of Eger. This complex of more than 200 cellars carved into the volcanic tuff stretches along a south-facing slope, creating ideal microclimatic conditions for storing and ageing wine. The origin of the name is debated: according to the most popular legend, it comes from the women who sold the wine produced by their husbands here.
The absolute speciality of the area isEgri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), a robust red wine made from a blend of at least three different grape varieties, including Kékfrankos, Kadarka and Cabernet Sauvignon. According to current regulations, the blend must include at least 5% Kadarka to be able to bear the Bikavér designation. The alcohol content varies between 12.5% and 14%, and the best wines are aged in oak barrels for at least 12 months.
Visiting the valley means entering the vaulted cellars, where the temperature is kept between 10 and 14 degrees all year round, and tasting directly from the local producers. Many cellars also offer tastings of Egri Leányka (Maiden of Eger), a fresh and aromatic white wine perfect for accompanying summer dishes. Tasting prices range from 500 to 2,000 forints depending on the number of wines tasted and the winery chosen. The valley can be reached on foot, by bicycle or a short drive, and is particularly lively during the Wine Festival held every year in September.
The Eger thermal complex makes use of the healing waters that flow from 18 different springs at temperatures between 28 and 68 degrees Celsius. The current thermal baths, completely renovated in 2009, occupy an area of 5.5 hectares in the Erzsébet Park and offer a combination of historical pools and modern wellness facilities. Eger’s thermal water is particularly rich in calcium, magnesium and hydrocarbonate, with recognised therapeutic properties for rheumatic disorders, circulatory problems and respiratory ailments.
The complex includes 17 pools, including four indoor and 13 outdoor pools, as well as saunas, steam baths and wellness areas. The 850-square-metre adventure pool, with slides, water games and artificial currents, is particularly popular with families. Adults, on the other hand, prefer the traditional thermal pools, where the 36-degree water allows long, relaxing baths even during the winter months, creating a striking contrast to the cold air outside.
It is advisable to visit the thermal baths in Budapest to compare the experience, although Eger offers a more intimate and less touristy atmosphere.
The historical centre offers the highest concentration of hotels and guesthouses, with accommodation in restored Baroque palaces that retain their original charm. Staying in this area allows you to walk to all the main attractions and enjoy the evening atmosphere of the illuminated squares.
The thermal area is an interesting alternative for those looking for more modern accommodation with direct access to the swimming pools, while the surroundings of the Valle delle Belle Donne are home to agritourisms and wine resorts ideal for food and wine holidays. Prices are generally lower than in Budapest, with good value for money especially in family-run guesthouses.
From Budapest, Eger is 130 kilometres away and can be easily reached by car via the M3 motorway heading east to the Füzesabony exit, then continuing on road 25 for about 20 kilometres (total time: about 1 hour 30 minutes). Alternatively, you can use the frequent direct trains that leave from Keleti station in Budapest about once every hour: the journey takes 2 hours and the ticket costs 3,050 forints in second class. Some journeys require a change in Füzesabony. For those who prefer autonomy, car rental in Budapest also allows you to explore the surroundings of the northern region of Hungary with more flexibility. The bus is a cheaper but less comfortable option, departing from Stadionok and taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
What's the weather at Eger? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Eger for the next few days.
Eger is located in the Heves region in the northern part of Hungary, at the foot of the Bükk Mountains. The town is 130 kilometres northeast of Budapest, 85 kilometres from Miskolc and 180 kilometres from Debrecen.
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