Eger — Castle, Wine & Minaret
Eger is one of Hungary's most beautiful and historically rich cities — and one of the most underrated. The Baroque city (56,000 inhabitants) at the foot of the Bükk Mountains combines in a small space: a mighty medieval castle, the northernmost Ottoman minaret in the world, baroque churches, a lyceum with a historic library, and — above all — the Valley of the Beautiful Women (Szépasszonyvölgy), one of Europe's most romantic wine districts.
The Castle of Eger
The castle (Egri vár) sits atop a hill overlooking the city and is the site of one of the legendary sieges in Hungarian history: In 1552, only 2,000 Hungarian soldiers and citizens under Captain István Dobó defended the castle against 35,000–40,000 Ottoman besiegers — and won. The victory became a national myth and is the subject of the most famous Hungarian novel ("Stars of Eger" / "Egri csillagok" by Géza Gárdonyi). The castle houses an underground casemate system, a gallery, and the Dobó Museum. Admission: approx. 3,000 HUF (8€).
The Minaret
Eger's minaret (1596) is the northernmost preserved Ottoman minaret in the world and one of only three in Hungary. The 40-meter-high slender tower can be climbed — 97 narrow, spiral steps lead to the gallery with a panoramic view over the city. Admission: 600 HUF (1.50€). Not for the claustrophobic — the tower has an interior diameter of only 78 cm!
Valley of the Beautiful Women (Szépasszonyvölgy)
A 20-minute walk from the city center lies Hungary's most famous cellar street. Dozens of small wine cellars — dug into the hillside, with stone tables and benches in front — invite you to taste. The concept is simple and ingenious: You go from cellar to cellar and taste the wines directly from the barrel — a glass (1 dl) costs 200–500 HUF (0.50–1.30€). The atmosphere, especially in the evening, is unique: Gypsy music, laughter, the scent of charcoal and wine.
The most famous wine of Eger: Egri Bikavér — the "Bull's Blood of Eger". A robust red wine blend (at least three grape varieties, usually Kékfrankos, Kadarka, and Cabernet), whose legend says that the defenders of the castle in 1552 drank water colored with red wine — the Ottomans thought it was bull's blood and fled. The premium version "Bikavér Superior" can compete with good Bordeaux wines.
