Hollókő

Hollókő is the only village in Hungary recognized as a living museum by UNESCO World Heritage. Tucked away in the Cserhát Hills, it consists of two distinct areas: the modern settlement and the historic Old Village (Ófalu). The Old Village comprises 67 protected buildings, characterized by whitewashed walls and intricately carved wooden porches, meticulously rebuilt in their original style following a devastating fire in 1909. The residents take great pride in maintaining their unique Palóc dialect and traditions. Perched on a rocky outcrop above the village are the ruins of Hollókő Castle, dating back to the 13th century. Built as part of a defense system after the Mongol invasion, the castle's pentagonal tower is now open to visitors, housing medieval weaponry exhibits and offering panoramic views of the Cserhát Landscape Protection Area. According to local legend, the castle's stones were carried away at night by ravens ('holló'), giving the village its name. The most significant event in the village is the Hollókő Easter Festival, where traditional 'water-splashing' is performed by young men in folk costumes. Throughout the year, visitors can explore workshops in the Old Village to learn about weaving and pottery or sample Palóc cuisine like 'tócsni' (potato pancakes). Located roughly an hour's drive from Budapest, it remains one of the country's most authentic cultural destinations.

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History & landmarks

Hollókő

A traditional Palóc village preserved as a living museum.

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Szelce Valley

Pristine valley in North Hungary with dense forest landscape.

Szanda Castle Ruin

A medieval ruin on a volcanic peak in the Cserhát Mountains.

Mátra

Mountain range in northern Hungary, home to the country's highest peak.

Nature

Galga River

A small river originating in the Cserhát and defining the Galgamente region.

Karancs

Karancs is a prominent mountain on the Hungarian-Slovak border, also known as the "Olympus of the Palóc" due to its dominant shape.

Ipoly River

A border river between Hungary and Slovakia with many meanders.

More places

Holloko Castle

A medieval castle ruin watching over the UNESCO World Heritage village of Hollókő.

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Cserhat Forest

Quiet forests among the Cserhát hills, far from mass tourism.

Salgotarjan Glass Factory

A long-standing factory famous for its high-quality glass and crystal products.

Galyateto

The second highest peak of the Matra, a famous climatic resort.

Matra Forest

Extensive beech and oak forests in Hungary's highest mountain range.

Medves Plateau

Central Europe's largest basalt plateau on the state border.

Ipolytarnoc Fossils

A 'Prehistoric Pompeii' featuring fossilized footprints and prehistoric plants.

Cerová Highlands

The Cerová Highlands in southern Slovakia is a unique hilly landscape formed by late volcanic activity.