Eger Things to Do

Built between 1831 and 1836, the neoclassical style Basilica is Hungary's second largest church.

Open daily 7am to 8pm

Organ recitals are held daily at 11-30 from 15th May to 15th October (Sundays at 12-45)

Dobo Istvan ter (the Stephen Dobo Square), the main square in the town, in the past was used as a city's market. Now, divided into two parts by the Eger River, is the center of Eger, with plenty of markets and restaurants. The two most remarkable buildings are the Minorite Church and the Town Hall. There are also two monuments in the square: the bronze statue of captain Dobo in the middle and the and the monument of heroes which defended Eger against Turks in the front of the Town Hall.

Sorry for the photo, the sun was whimsical!

Eger has a great reputation for red wine. What's really interesting, though, is that there are a dozens of mom and pop wineries. It's amazing to walk down the streets and see so many. Granted, not all of them are open. When we were there probably 20 or so were open. Also, if you've been to wineries in the U.S., the visitors centers can be quite extravagant. In Eger the wineries are small with some having just room to buy wine, whereas others have large rooms with tables. Another extra are the Roma bands that play.

As can be seen on the picture, it could benefit from some renovation here.

This is the northernmost original Turkish minaret in Europe (wordlwide I guess). The stairs inside are pretty narrow but it's worth to climb them, even if only to know how it is.

Egar boasts some cosy squares and streets, and impressive castle looking down on the town centre, and of course the Valley of the Beautiful Women just outside of town which has wine cellars in the face of the mountain.

The Valley of the Beautiful Women is just outside of town. It boast some excellent wine cellars. My friends and I sat down and paid next to nothing for a round of drinks. The women behind the bar called her friends and they came by and played some music for us. We all sang, drank, danced and were merry.

In 1522 the walls of Eger castle halted the Ottomen army. 2000 defernders under the command of Istvan Dobo held their own against the 100.000 invading Turks for a month. Dobo opened the castle's wine cellars, and broke open the casks for his men who greeted the soldiers without wiping the incarnadine wine from their lips and bearded chins (sometimes I show up for work like that).
The rumour circulated among the invaders that the defenders of Eger drank Bull's Blood and were therefore invincible.
The women too had a role in this, boiling oil to pour on their attackers. The French proverb, "As strong as a Turk." was changed to "As strong as the women of Eger."

A surprise in visiting Eger is that much of the town appears preserved (or a great renovation job!). The result is a very charming town that is relaxing to walk through. In some ways old town Bratislava, Slovakia is similar with respect to the pastel colored buildings.