Tourist information Eger

Eger

Location
The enchanting, historical town of Eger, most famous for its wine region, is located in northern Hungary, on hillsides between two mountains, and along a stream. The local climate is rather moderate, warmer as it could be expected at such a latitude - which is excellent for fruit and wine growing. From the middle of April until the middle of October, the daily average temperature stays above 10 Celsius degrees.

History
Due to its fine location, the area has been populated since the earliest times - as attested by archaeological findings. The first generation of invading Hungarians already settled in this area, and the first king (St. Stephan) established a bishopric in Eger. During the early 13th century, the town was easily seized by the Mongolian invaders, and to avoid the same in the future, a decree was given to build a stone fort. In the centuries to follow, the fort was expanded, new towers were added, and an outer wall was built. The bishop's palace and the cathedral were also rebuilt. The reinforcement made it possible for captain Dobo and his few to defend the fort against the Turkish troops in 1552 - Geza Gardonyi's famous novel tells of this notable event. Nevertheless, the town did not escape the Turkish rule, as foreign mercenary and a new captain gave it up in 1596. The Turkish era lasted for 91 years, a slim minaret is left to preserve its atmosphere. During the civil war of the early 18th century, the town served as headquarters of the free part of the country. During this century, the Baroque town took shape with the Lyceum, the Townhouse, as well as various churches and castles. The early 19th century saw the establishment of the first teacher training academy, teaching in Hungarian, and the country's second largest church building, the Basilica was built. At the turn of the century, Eger came to be known as the city of learning, and an independent stone theatre was started. Local activists were highly successful in preserving the historical heritage of the inner town, and Eger became the seat of the Hungarian branch of ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites - an organization dedicated to the conservation of the world's historic monuments and sites)

The spa
Thermal water in town laid the foundation of local bathing culture as early as the Middle Ages. In 1933, Eger was among the first ones to receive a thermal bath clearance. Open-air pools of the spa offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities. A Wellness Building is located next to the thermal pool (connected with a heated corridor through the winter), offering infra sauna, Finnish sauna, steam cabin, Jacuzzi, solarium, and massages. The spa complex also includes a large, half-covered adventure pool with numerous fun elements, such as bubble bath, underwater massage, and waterfall.

Sights to visit
The castle hill in Eger first included the church of the bishopric, which was rebuilt a number of times, first in Roman, then in Gothic style. Continual expansion and reinforcement of the fort made it possible to stop the Turkish troops, after which the fort became a symbol of patriotic pertinence. The castle museum includes a variety of permanent exhibitions about local history, the defenders, the underground cellar, and the prison. An extensive underground cellar system lies beneath the fort; a unique square of pillars includes 7x7 cellar branches. The main square of Eger, the Eszterhazy Square is aligned southbound by the Lyceum, now a college, and northbound by the huge Basilica. Dobo Square remained the centre of trade and administration, with a statue of the fort's legendary hero in the middle. The square includes a pretty church and a unique mansion.

Programs
Dobo Square hosts several festivals and fairs throughout the year, organ concerts are frequently held in the Basilica, and the court of the Lyceum is an ideal place for musicals and plays.

Hotels in Eger - hotel list

• Balaton
• Bukfurdo
• Eger
• Gyor
• Heviz
• Pecs
• Sarvar
• Sopron
• Zalakaros