Eger Sights

Sights in Eger

  1. A

    Eger Castle

    The best overview of Eger can be had by climbing up the cobblestone lane from Dózsa György tér to Eger Castle, which was erected in the 13th century after the Mongol invasion. Models and drawings in the István Dobó Museum housed in the former Bishop’s Palace (1470) painlessly explain the history of the castle. On the ground floor, a statue of Dobó takes pride of place in Heroes’ Hall. The 19th-century building on the northwestern side of the courtyard houses the Eger Art Gallery, with several works by Mihály Munkácsy. The reconstructed Dobó Bastion (1549) contains a display with the fetching title the World of Weapons (adult/child 500/250Ft). Other exhibits incurring an a…

    reviewed

  2. B

    Lyceum

    Directly opposite Eger Cathedral is the sprawling Zopf-style Lyceum, dating from 1765. The 20,000-volume library (adult/student 700/350Ft) on the 1st floor of the south wing contains hundreds of priceless manuscripts and codices. The trompe l’œil ceiling fresco (1778) depicts the Counter-Reformation’s Council of Trent (1545–63) and a lightning bolt setting heretical manuscripts ablaze. The Astronomy Museum (adult/student 800/650Ft) on the 6th floor of the east wing contains 18th-century astronomical equipment and an observatory. Climb three more floors up to the observation deck to try out the camera obscura, the ‘eye of Eger’, designed in 1776 to spy on the town and to e…

    reviewed

  3. C

    County Hall

    The tree-lined street of Kossuth Lajos utca boasts dozens of architectural gems, including the delightful County Hall, the main door of which is crowned by a wrought-iron representation of Faith, Hope and Charity by Henrik Fazola, a Rhinelander who settled in Eger in the mid-18th century. Walk down the passageway, and you’ll see more of his magnificent work – two baroque wrought-iron gates that have superseded the minaret as the symbol of Eger.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Astronomy Museum

    The Astronomy Museum, on the 6th floor of the east wing of the Lyceum, contains 18th-century astronomical equipment and an observatory; climb three more floors up to the observation deck for a great view of the city and to try out the camera obscura, the 'eye of Eger', designed in 1776 to spy on the town and to entertain townspeople.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Orthodox synagogue

    The former Orthodox synagogue was built in 1893 and is now a furniture store backing onto a shopping mall. To get there from Dobó István tér, cross the little Eger Stream to Dózsa György tér and turn southwest onto Kossuth Lajos utca, a fine, tree-lined street.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Minorite Church

    On the southern side of central Dobó István tér stands the Minorite church, built in 1771 and one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the world. Statues of István Dobó and his comrades-in-arms routing the Turks fill the square in front of the church.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Basilica

    The Basilica is a neoclassical monolith completed in 1836 and designed by József Hild, the same architect who later worked on the cathedral at Esztergom. Despite the cathedral's size and ornate altars, the interior is surprisingly light and airy.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Franciscan church

    The Franciscan church was completed in 1755 on the site of a mosque. The wrought-iron balcony and window grids of the rococo Provost's Palace (Kispréposti palota), several doors down at number 4 were also done by Fazola.

    reviewed

  9. Town under the Town

    To the right of Eger Cathedral's main church steps is the entrance to Town under the Town, which takes you on a history-oriented tour through the casemates that were once the cellars of the Archbishop’s Palace to the north.

    reviewed

  10. I

    Cistercian church

    Walk north along Széchenyi utca to the Cistercian church built in 1743. The theatrical baroque altar sculpture of St Francis Borgia in gilt and white stucco is well worth a look.

    reviewed

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  12. J

    Archbishop's Palace

    Northeast of the Basilica in the Archbishop's Palace is the Ecclesiastical Collection, with priceless vestments, church plate and liturgical objects.

    reviewed

  13. K

    Minaret

    Only nonclaustrophobes will brave the 97 narrow spiral steps to the top of the 40m-high minaret to the north of Dobó István tér.

    reviewed

  14. Eger Cathedral

    A highlight of the town’s amazing architecture is Eger Cathedral, a neoclassical monolith designed in 1836 by József Hild.

    reviewed

  15. Neoclassical Synagogue

    A neoclassical synagogue dating from 1845 and now partly renovated is around the corner from The Orthodox Synagogue.

    reviewed

  16. L

    Serbian Orthodox church

    The Serbian Orthodox church and its enormous iconostasis of gold leaf and braid is north of the Cistercian church.

    reviewed

  17. M

    Archbishop's Garden

    You'll enjoy perusing the Archbishop's Garden (Essekert), once the private reserve of papal princes.

    reviewed

  18. N

    Ecclesiastical Collection

    The Ecclesiastical Collection consists of priceless vestments, church plate and liturgical objects.

    reviewed