Noszvaj: Cave Dwellings, Castle History and Nature

Noszvaj offers a variety of things to explore during a stay: historic dwellings, castle history and cultural heritage sit alongside hills, ponds and paths through the forest. Each place and activity has a different focus. You can plan your visit according to whether you are interested in art and history or looking for a tour with puzzles and an ascent.

Cave Dwellings and Art

The old Pocem cave dwellings on what was once Betlehem Street now serve as a hub for artistic activity. Here, a historic form of dwelling meets contemporary artistic use. The cave dwellings can be reached on foot year-round via the entrance on Honvéd Street. Before your visit, also check the latest visitor information.

Castle History and Cultural Heritage

The De la Motte Castle features a new exhibition on the castle’s history. The castle was built in the style of Louis XVI and stands in a 25-hold park. The exhibition, architectural style and park each offer a different way to explore the castle.

Another cultural landmark is Noszvaj’s Reformed Church. It displays copies of the original painted coffered panels, made by Sándor Gelsei in 2001. The Noszvaj Gazdaház, in turn, offers a glimpse into the living conditions and way of life of wealthy farming families in the late 19th century through its exterior and furnishings. These three places thus focus on different topics: castle history, painted panels and domestic life in the past.

Imány Hill and Síkfőkút

Imány Hill is a 309-metre-high hill in the centre of Noszvaj. A Millennium monument and a national flag stand on the hill. Wildflowers grow on its slope, including several protected plants.

Síkfőkút, Noszvaj’s recreation area, lies north of the town in the valley of the Kánya Stream. Natural ponds, along with ponds created later by people, are set in a landscape surrounded by forests and mountains. The stream, ponds, forest and mountains define the area. This sets its natural focus apart from the cave dwellings and buildings, which offer other ways to experience Noszvaj.

Puzzle Tour and Walking Routes

The Forrástúra leads into the forest north of Noszvaj. On this puzzle tour, you must find eight springs and solve a riddle and its accompanying verse at each one. The tour is 7.5 km long and includes an ascent of 350 m, followed by a descent. The route length and elevation figures may vary depending on the loop you choose. For planning purposes, the riddles and verses give you an idea of the tour’s focus, while the distance and ascent indicate its scale.

Noszvaj’s rows of wine cellars are also ideal for pleasant walks: along Szomolyai út and Jókai út, as well as at Kőporosi, Imányi, Emődi, Kis-Imányi and Mátyás-téri. While the Forrástúra centres on springs, riddles and an ascent, the appeal described for these routes lies in walking along the rows of wine cellars. This lets you choose between a clearly defined puzzle tour and cellar-row walks, without assuming that both are the same kind of outing.

Discover more destinations: Demjén, Feldebrő, Maklár, Egerbakta, Egerszólát, Kerecsend, Felsőtárkány, Erlau.

For the overview of the wider region: Egri.