UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was established on November 16, 1945 to "build peace in the minds of men” with a focus on ethical issues.
With this in mind, UNESCO maintains a list of World Heritage Sites, including forests, mountain ranges, lakes, deserts, individual buildings and entire cities. These sites, all of unique cultural value, are promoted by UNESCO and protected from pollution and overdevelopment. A list of the nine sites that have been assigned by UNESCO in Hungary can be found here.Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue
This site has the remains of monuments such as the Roman city of Aquincum and the Gothic castle of Buda, which have had a considerable influence on the architecture of various periods. It is one of the world's outstanding urban landscapes and illustrates the great periods in the history of the Hungarian capital.
Hollókő
Hollókő hides among the undulations of the Cserhát hills about 100 km from Budapest in a picturesque setting. The history of the village goes back to the 13th century, when after the Mongol invasion the castle was built on Szár hill. The name (holló=raven, kő=stone) perhaps, comes from the legend in which the lord of a castle stole a pretty maiden, whose nurse was a witch. The nurse made a pact with the devil to rescue the girl. The devil’s minions, disguised as ravens, took the stones of the castle away and the castle of Hollókő was built on top of the rock here. It is well worth walking up to the ruins; there is an exhibition of the remains of weapons found here, cannonballs and rock carvings. And from here there is a beautiful view over the surrounding, protected area, which is a part of the Bükk National Park.
Hortobágy National Park
The cultural landscape of the Hortobágy Puszta consists of a vast area of plains and wetlands in eastern Hungary. Traditional forms of land use, such as the grazing of domestic animals, have been present in this pastoral society for more than two millennia.
Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs
In the 4th century, a remarkable series of decorated tombs were constructed in the cemetery of the Roman provincial town of Sopianae (modern Pécs). These are important both structurally and architecturally, since they were built as underground burial chambers with memorial chapels above the ground. The tombs are important also in artistic terms, since they are richly decorated with murals of outstanding quality depicting Christian themes.
Fertő/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape
The Fertö/Neusiedler Lake area has been the meeting place of different cultures for eight millennia. This is graphically demonstrated by its varied landscape, the result of an evolutionary symbiosis between human activity and the physical environment. The remarkable rural architecture of the villages surrounding the lake and several 18th- and 19th-century palaces adds to the area's considerable cultural interest.
Trip to Pécs
The Times April 10, 2004
Adam Lebor's guide to Hungary
If you make one trip outside Budapest, make sure it’s to Pécs.
(read more...)
Aggtelek National Park
This spectacular system of caves extends for 22 kilometres and contains the world’s tallest stalagmite and even a concert hall. Dazzling rock and crystal formations, with names that include Dragon’s Head, Tiger, Mother in Law’s Tongue and the Hall of Giants – as well as dozens of underground lakes and winding passages – can be explored as part of a number of guided tours. Experienced cavers also come to Aggtelek in search of new adventures. Above ground, there is also plenty to see, including rich plant life, spectacular rocky outcrops, traditional village life and several gothic and medieval churches.
Tokaj Historic Wine Region Cultural Landscape
The cultural landscape of Tokaj graphically demonstrates the long tradition of wine production in this region of low hills and river valleys. The intricate pattern of vineyards, farms, villages and small towns, with their historic networks of deep wine cellars, illustrates every facet of the production of the famous Tokaj wines, the quality and management of which have been strictly regulated for nearly three centuries.
Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma
The first Benedictine monks settled here in 996. They went on to convert the Hungarians, to found the country's first school and, in 1055, to write the first document in Hungarian. From the time of its founding, this monastic community has promoted culture throughout central Europe. Its 1,000-year history can be seen in the succession of architectural styles of the monastic buildings (the oldest dating from 1224), which still today house a school and the monastic community.
