Eger Things to Do

The ruins of the Norman style church that was built in the 12th century can still be seen today. The church had three naves and was dedicated to Saint John. Around ruins a shape of the whole building have been re-construed.

Actually the Eger's Castle had been almost completely destroyed and what we can see now is rather thoroughly reconstruction. But it is the place very important for the Hungarian history since castle's captain Istvan (Stephan) Dobo managed to defend it during the long Turkish siege in 1552. Rumors among the Turks said that defenders had to drink bull's blood to be more stronger. They could not believe that only a handful of men (about 2 thousand) had been able to stop the army of 50 thousands (or more) for 40 days. And "bull's blood" turned out to be Eger wine - "bikaver".

Eger is famous for it' wines, especially Egri Bikaver (meaning "bull's blood"). You can taste them in many cafes and restaurants, as well as buy them in markets or simply from one of special stalls which stand in many places in the Old Town (at Dobo Square for example). But there are also a few aggregations of wine-cellars - the most famous from them is "Valley of Beautiful Lady" (Szepasszony-volgy), lain on the western boundary of Eger.

Open ~midday-midnight.

Opposite the Cathedral at the Szechenyi Square stands a huge building - Lyceum. Today used by the Eger's university (or rather a teachers' college), was built between 1765-1785 in Zopf style (baroque + rococo, although its front has features of classicism style) by Count Karoly Eszterhazy . There is the famous diocesan library which can be visited as a museum. In its collection you can find there e.g. the only Mozart-letter in Hungary.

The high tower (53 meters) at the back of Lyceum is the astronomic observatory. Now there is a museum collection of old astronomical tools and unique camera obscura, reflecting on the screen view of the town.

The Stephan Dobo Gymnasium at Szechenyi Street no 19 has a group of baroque statues in its side. They looks very well in the day, but it is also worth to see them in the night when you can enjoy them in lighting.

At the Szechenyi Utca (Street) near to the crossroads with Brody Utca (Street) the church stands in the place of an old Muslim mosque. First it was a Jesuits but after dissolved their order the Cistercians took it over. Now it is closed and under re-construction.

The only one church in the town which is located with its back to the town's center. Built by the Serbian refugees in the end of 18th century with the special permission of the Emperor, Joseph II, can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. The iconostas of the church built between 1789-1791is a real masterpiece.