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In The Know
Did You Know?
( Do not miss )
Famous for its Bull's Blood red wine (Egri Bikver), this historic baroque city played a central role in the attempt to overthrow the Austrian Hapsburgs early in the 18th century. The Austrians destroyed much of the town, and what we see today was built by Eger's bishops and archbishops in the late 18th century. The beautiful palaces and churches are some of Hungary's finest examples of Copf architecture, a transitional style between late baroque and neo-classical found only in central Europe.
Some of the city's finest buildings and sights can be found along Kossuth Lajos utca, including the baroque County Hall, the magnificent Provost's House, the 18th-century Franciscan church on the site of a mosque and the former Orthodox synagogue.
Off Dobó utca, István Dobó tér is the main square of the city. Largely paved with formal gardens, its centrepiece
is the magnificent statue celebrating the heroic siege of 2,000 Hungarians against an overwhelming number of Turks. This is also site of the 8th-century Minorite church, considered one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Hungary. The entrance features a statue of Dobo and beautiful heroic sculptures depicting the battle against the Turks. The carved wood furnishing inside is breathtaking. Another must is the Greek Orthodox Serbian church, which boasts the largest iconostasis in Hungary. Set against a cool whitewashed wall, its elaborate intricacy is spellbinding. Flanking the iconostasis is other richly decorated ecclesiastical craftwork.
Constructed in the 13th century after the Mongol invasion, imposing Eger Vár
(Castle) has often been at the forefront of Hungary's long and turbulent history. Inside are the foundations of St John's Cathedral, which was destroyed by the Turks. Models and drawings of the cathedral in the Istvan Dobó Museum show how it once looked. The museum is named after the national hero who led the resistance to the Turks in 1552. Worth seeing are the underground casemates, situated below the castle, which were hewn from solid rock. In the shadow of the castle stands the northermost Turkish minaret in Europe. Rising to a height of 40m with a cross, you can climb the cramped 100 spiral steps to the top for marvellous views over the town.
After all the sightseeing, the quiet and restful Archbishop's Garden, once the private reserve of papal princes, is the place to relax. Or you could swim in its open-air and covered pools, or take a dip in one of its thermal baths dating from Turkish times.
Bus: Hourly return service from Budapest. By car: 128km, M3
Info: Dobó István tér, Eger Phone: 321 807
Serbian church
Address: Vitkovics Mihaly utca 30Open: 10-4, Tue-Sun
Restaurant: Gyros (Moderately priced)
Accessible: None
Admission: Free
Eger Vár
Address: Vár 1Phone: 312 744
Open: 1 Nov-28 Feb 9-5; 1 Apr-30 Sep 9-6; Mar, Oct 8-6. Museum: 9-3 Nov 1-Feb 28; 9-5 Mar 1-Sept 30; closed Mon
Restaurant: Imola Café (Inexpensive)
Accessible: None
Admission: Cheap
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