Miskolc

Miskolc is the Gateway to the Miskolc region, and is the most important point in the northern-central Mountains. The city is the biggest in the region and is the third largest nationally, measured by population. Since 1720 it has been the seat of county government. From the well-known find of a prehistoric man in the Avas, we know that men were living here twenty thousand years ago. The Hungarians settled here more than a thousand years ago and it became the centre of the "Miskóc" tribe from the 11th century. They gave their name to the settlement. The historic kernel of today's city centre was developed up to the end of the 15th century. The industrialisation of Miskolc began in 1770 when Henrik Fazola coming from Würzburg built the first iron furnace in Ómassa. The important monuments of the city were built in the same century (18th) during the period of the great upswing. In the next century a terrible fire followed by a flood destroyed Miskolc. The inhabitants have overcome adversity, natural hazards and wars through hard work. This is now an active city.

The churches preserve the colourful past. Among them, the Reformed church of Avas is a real gem, being one of the most important late Gothic churches in Hungary. It is built in the heart of the city on the Avas hill, which is dotted with old houses and has a row of wine cellars reminding the visitor of the wine production practised there in the past. The predecessor of today's church was a 13th century building that was destroyed by the Turks in 1544. Two decades after this event the church was rebuilt and gained a more Puritan character, as one can see today. Its coffered and painted ceiling dates from the 18th century and it is one of the most beautiful of its kind. Near the church there is a 16th century belfry with a wooden loft and a clock reminding us of the passage of time.
One of the most precious monuments in the city is the Greek Orthodox Church, built in the 18th century in late Baroque style. It preserves the memory of the Greek merchants, who settled in this city. The 16 metre high, richly ornamented iconostasis is one of the most beautiful icon screens in Hungary; the icon of Black Mary from Kazan was a present from tsarina Catharine the 2nd. The greatest Greek Orthodox collection may be seen in the Hungarian Orthodox Church Museum in Miskolc.

In the two-steepled Minorite church a splendid Rococo pulpit and beautiful pews can be admired. A special church among the Reformed churches of the city is the Plank Church made of lumber in the style of those built in Transylvania. The biggest functioning ecclesiastical building of the region is the Synagogue with a neo Romanesque-Moorish style. Its three-aisled interior is one of the most beautiful in Hungarian Synagogues.
The people of Miskolc can be proud of the fact that in 1823 the first Hungarian stone built theatre was opened here, only to fall victim to fire later. The Classical building of the National Theatre of Miskolc replaced the former one and was finished in the year 1846. The Museum of Actors and History of Theatre depicts the wonderful history of theatre in Miskolc.

The city is very rich in museums. The Ottó Herman Museum shows the history of Miskolc and there is also an exhibition of minerals. The university has its own museum and there are museums on iron-work, the history of metallurgy, paper manufacturing and one dedicated to the work of the scientist Ottó Herman.

In 1950 the city grew by the addition of Diósgyor, Görömböly-Tapolca and Lillafüred-Hámor. The four-tower castle of Diósgyor with a square ground-plan was built during the reign of Lajos the Great (1342-1382) and from the year 1424 it was the castle of the Hungarian Queens for a hundred years. The din of arms was alien to it, you could hear only the sound of the lute. The castle was destroyed in the 18th century, but it was carefully restored, so today it is one of the most important mediaeval monuments in Hungary. In the armoury of the Castle Museum visitors can admire the greatest Central European historical exhibition of wax figures. In summer the sounds of the open-air concerts echo above the bastions.

Miskolc is endowed with a wonderful natural environment. The border of the National Park of Bükk runs through the city. This park is uniquely rich in stalactite and calcareous tufa caves and plateaux and its fauna and flora are very colourful. The health-giving cave spa of Miskolctapolca is famous all over the world. In the most beautiful Lillafüred the Wonder Castle (Hotel Palota) of fairy tales, the Castle Hotel and its mirror, the Hámori Lake and a romantic waterfall wait upon guests.