Summary of Best Things to Do in Eger
A regal city in Northern Hungary, Eger is recognized for its thermal waters and magnificent Baroque mansions and churches. This architectural style emerged during the city’s resurgence in the 18th century following its liberation from the Ottoman Empire, which ruled during the 1600s.
In the 1700s, Bishop Eszterházy Károly established Eger as a significant center for higher education, founding the Lyceum. This institution has evolved into a university, housing a library filled with priceless books and manuscripts. The Lyceum is a distinguished example of Baroque architecture within the city, while Eger is also celebrated for its robust red wine, Egri Bikavér.
The narrative surrounding this powerful wine maintains that it was mixed with bull’s blood, empowering a small defending force to triumph over an enormous contingent of Ottoman invaders in 1552.
1. Eger Castle
Overlooking Eger from a hill to the east of the Eger Stream, Eger Castle has existed in various forms since the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. A Gothic palace was built for Eger’s bishops in the 15th century, and a pivotal event occurred in 1552 when the castle successfully repelled a vast Ottoman force.
The castle’s complex history is fascinating, and its various buildings are home to several museums. The Gothic Palace narrates the castle’s history and recounts the iconic siege of 1552, while the Dobó Bastion features exhibitions of weaponry. Guided tours are available of the defensive casemates hidden beneath the castle, and visitors can explore a minting museum displaying historical coins, together with an art gallery showcasing works by notable Hungarian painters, including the Realist Mihály Munkácsy.
2. Lyceum
Established by Bishop Eszterházy Károly, the main university building was conceived by József Gerl and Jakab Fellner and constructed between 1765 and 1785. The Lyceum is regarded as a masterpiece of the modest Zopf Baroque style and is particularly noted for its three exquisite ceiling frescoes.
Among these, the only one accessible to general visitors is located in the library, painted by the Austrian Johann Lukas Kracker in 1778, illustrating the Council of Trent, a significant event in the Counter-Reformation of the 1500s. The library holds over 130,000 rare volumes, medieval manuscripts, and incunabula housed on fine oak shelves. A special highlight is the sole letter penned by Mozart on Hungarian territory.
The Lyceum also features an observatory with a 53-meter tower, which accommodates a small astronomical museum and a camera obscura.
3. Town Under the Town
Following the liberation of Eger from the Ottomans at the end of the 17th century, Bishop György Fenessy embarked on constructing a new palace for himself. Stone quarried from the local tufa rock was utilized, resulting in a complex system of tunnels spanning four kilometers beneath Eger.
These tunnels served as storage for wine from the 1700s until the Second World War, with a notable arrangement allowing residents to pay their church taxes with wine. Visitors can partake in multilingual tours of these impressive tunnels every day, commencing on the hour. Pay attention to the Escher-like pillared room, a curious intersection point within the cellar network where 14 galleries converge.
4. Minaret
The Ottomans governed Eger from 1596 to 1687, erecting ten minarets in the city, of which only one endures today. This 40-meter red sandstone tower, situated by the Church of St Sebastian on the site of a former mosque, dates back to the early 17th century.
This structure is one of only three surviving minarets from the Ottoman era, also making it the northernmost Turkish minaret in Europe. From a distance, the minaret appears round; however, upon closer inspection, one can discern its 14 flat sides.
To reach the balcony offering a panoramic view of the city, visitors must navigate 97 steps up an exceptionally narrow spiral staircase.
5. Valley of the Beautiful Woman
Eger’s local wine, bold Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), derives its name from the Ottoman siege in 1552, when the Turks believed the defenders gained strength by mixing bull’s blood into their wine. Although quality varies among producers, Egri Bikavér is consistently robust and pairs well with red meats and spicy dishes. It typically consists of a blend of grape varieties, including but not limited to, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufränkisch, and Syrah.
The Valley of the Beautiful Woman, located just a 15-minute stroll from the town center, is the premiere spot for wine tasting, featuring over 40 wine cellars lined up in close proximity. These establishments range from impressive venues serving gourmet cuisine and premium wine to more rustic options. Visiting during the autumn harvest often allows for fresh grape juice offerings at many locations.
6. Dobó Square
The grand central plaza of Eger is named after István Dobó, the captain who led the city’s defense against the Ottomans in 1552. A striking bronze sculpture honoring Dobó and this decisive battle was crafted by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl in 1968. Another noteworthy statue, created by Alajos Stróbl in 1907, features István Dobó brandishing his sword.
Prominently situated in the square is the Minorite Church, constructed according to plans by the Bohemian architect Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. The church’s impressive bell chimes at 11:00, 15:00, and 18:00. Adjacent to the church is the town hall (Városháza), built in the Eclectic style at the close of the 19th century.
7. Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Apostle
Opposite the Lyceum stands Eger Basilica, the only Neoclassical monument in the city and Hungary’s third-largest cathedral. Commissioned between 1831 and 1837 during the tenure of Bishop János László Pyrker, the cathedral is designed to evoke awe with its main portal approached via three stairway sets, culminating in a temple-like portico supported by eight Corinthian columns.
Above the pediment are statues of saints Peter, Paul, Stephen, and Ladislaus, sculpted by the Italian Marco Casagrande. Inside, the grand scale of the cathedral captivates visitors, featuring three magnificently frescoed domes. The first two in the nave, painted by 20th-century artist Takács István, illustrate the connections between the See of Rome and Eger, along with the Revelation of St John, intertwined with Hungarian folk art motifs.
8. Minorite Church
Located on the eastern side of Dobó Square, the exquisite Minorite Church was constructed for a branch of the Franciscan order between 1758 and 1771. A noteworthy detail is that the Father Superior faced reprimand for the church’s extravagant design, deemed too opulent for the typically austere Franciscans.
This unique Baroque church is distinguished by its curved facade and twin 57-meter towers topped with wrought iron crosses. The coat of arms of the Franciscan order is also visible. The splendid frescoes adorning the ceiling were crafted by the Bratislavan artist Márton Reindl in 1769-70, while seven theatrical Baroque monuments captivate visitors. The main altar, featuring marble columns and sculptures of St Bonaventure and St Ludwig along with a painting of the Education of Mary in the Temple by Austrian Johann Lucas Kracker, is particularly impressive.
9. Szent Miklós-templom
In the 17th century, Eger experienced an influx of Serbian and Greek refugees escaping the advancing Ottoman Empire. They initially settled in the northern portion of the city and were permitted by the bishopric to worship in a former Augustine church. Subsequently, in the 18th century, affluent members of the Serbian and Greek community were granted permission to construct a new Orthodox church, provided it was situated outside the city walls.
The remarkable late-Baroque St Nicholas’ Church boasts a striking portal crafted by the Italian mason Giovanni Adami. The highlight of this church is its stunning iconostasis, featuring 60 painted icon panels created between 1789 to 1791. Flanking the iconostasis is a Rococo pulpit adorned with a marble effect and gilding, curiously not used during services.
10. Small Provost’s Palace
Located on Kossuth Lajos Utca, this elegant monument is regarded as the finest example of Baroque architecture in Eger. Completed in 1758 for Provost Count Ignác Batthyány, the palace served as the meeting place for commanders of the Hungarian army before the pivotal Battle of Kápolna during the Hungarian War of Independence in 1849.
The palace features a delicate stucco facade highlighted by intricate wrought iron window grates and balconies crafted at the esteemed ironworks of Henrik Fazola.
11. Archbishop’s Garden
Covering over 12 hectares adjacent to the Eger Stream, the city’s primary public park was historically an episcopal property, used for hunting since the 1200s, and was opened to the public in 1919. In the 18th century, the area was transformed into a formal garden under Erdődy Gábor Antal, and during the bishopric of Eszterházy Károly in the latter half of the 18th century, it was enclosed.
The iron gates, designed by Henrik Fazola, are still visible on the park’s north and west sides. The park features a man-made lake traversed by an 18th-century stone bridge and is designed in the French formal style of the 1700s. In summer, classical concerts are held at the bandstand near Klapka Utca.
12. Eger Thermal Bath
Located on the outskirts of Eger, this premier outdoor water facility caters to adults seeking to experience the therapeutic waters, as well as children looking for enjoyment. It features a total of seven pools, including three therapeutic pools containing safe levels of naturally occurring radon, along with a warm thermal pool at 37°C with slightly sulphurous water. The main swimming pool accommodates those aiming for laps, while the “entertainment pool,” partially covered by a dome, allows for leisurely floating.
Families with children can enjoy a dedicated pool, featuring an imaginative castle with waterfalls and slides.
13. Egri Road Beatles Múzeum
When visiting northern Hungary, one might not expect to find a museum dedicated to the Fab Four, yet that is exactly what awaits at the Hotel Korona, where two devoted Beatles enthusiasts, Gábor Molnár and Gábor Peterdi, have curated an extensive exhibition of their collections. These have been meticulously assembled over decades, featuring playable reproductions of the band’s favored instruments, posters, apparel, toys, limited edition records, and newspaper articles.
The museum presents a timeline of the band’s evolution from the Quarrymen to their breakup, alongside an interactive space where visitors can enjoy movies and listen to Beatles recordings through headphones.
14. Bükk National Park
Eger is situated just 10 kilometers from the southwestern edge of Hungary’s largest national park. Bükk National Park, characterized by its mountainous terrain and extensive beech and oak forests, is renowned for its karst rock formations, including the longest and deepest caves in the country, as well as ravines and sinkholes.
The caves have been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, with numerous Neanderthal tools and skeletal remains discovered within. For those seeking outdoor recreation, options include the narrow gauge Lillafüred Forest Train, visiting the cascades at Szilvásvárad, exploring the outdoor folk museum at Hollókő, or hiking in Nagy-Mező (Great Meadow), notable for its vibrant wildflowers during early summer.
15. Kopcsik Marcipánia
Master confectioner Lajos Kopcsik has received numerous awards throughout his prestigious 60-year career. Among his exceptional achievements is a museum where nearly everything is crafted from marzipan and painted with tempera. This includes opulent Baroque decor made of marzipan, including carpets, wallpaper, stucco, paintings, furniture, and various ornaments completed over a period of three years.
Moreover, there are representations of Eger’s culture, such as a marzipan replica of its famous minaret and a two-meter tall wine bottle. Kopcsik continues to create, with his latest works showcasing a grand still life and the “dream of butterflies,” featuring 62 individual marzipan butterflies.
