Balassagyarmat

Introducing Balassagyarmat

As the centre of the Cserhát region, Balassagyarmat bills itself as the 'capital of the Palóc' and, while other places may look more folksy, the town's excellent Palóc Museum gives it the leading edge. Lying just south of the Ipoly River and the Slovakian border, Balassagyarmat suffered more than most towns in the region during the Turkish occupation. Its castle was reduced to rubble and its houses were abandoned for decades. It regained stature late in the 18th century as the main seat of Nógrád County, but even that was taken away after WWII in favour of the 'new town' of Salgótarján. Today Balassagyarmat's few baroque and neoclassical buildings and the odd monument don't pull in the crowds; it's the town's link with Palóc culture that beckons.

Last updated: Oct 6, 2008