Explore The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hungary

1. Budapest Attractions – The Danube Valley and the Buda Castle Quarter

The Danube is a natural feature that divides Budapest into two sections: Buda, which lies on the spur of the right bank, and Pest, which is on the flat left bank. Both areas have been inhabited since the Paleolithic period. Both cities were populated by Celtic peoples, who were attracted by the thermal springs.

By the medieval period, both Buda and Pest had acquired their present names. In the Roman era, the city was referred to as Aquincum, and it became the capital of Lower Pannonia, one of the border provinces of the Roman Empire. Budapest has many attractions for visitors to enjoy. The city is relatively inexpensive and has a high quality of life, comparable to other major European cities.

It also offers an extraordinary concentration of thermal springs. Budapest is fast becoming a major European spa destination. You can visit Budapest’s famous baths and take Turkish baths to relax and revitalize. These baths date back to the Turkish era, but were later modified by Hungarians to fit in with the local culture. The Danube Valley is another important historical and cultural site.

It contains the former Royal Palace, Mathias Church, Trinity Square, and the Fisherman’s Bastion. These buildings are surrounded by streets and are part of Budapest’s World Heritage List. World Heritage sites must be maintained and protected. Hungarians are proud to have three areas of their capital on the list.

2. Early Christian Necropolis of Pcs in Hungary

Pecs’s Early Christian Necropolis is a complex of burial sites, monuments, and places of worship. It contains brick tombs, stone crypts, sarcophagi, chapels, and mausoleums, and is estimated to have held about 500 burials.

The complex was built over several centuries, and excavations and restoration projects have preserved much of the complex. Today, it is a designated archaeological site and listed historic monument. The necropolis of Pecs is among the most impressive sites of early Christian history in Europe.

It dates to the fourth century AD, when Christianity was still being persecuted in the area. The monuments and murals at the site are typical of very early Christian art. However, these monuments do not measure up to other, more beautifully preserved sites in Italy. The Early Christian Necropolis of Pcs comprises four burial sites, each with separate entrances.

The new visitor center is the best starting point for your visit to the complex. The largest structure in the complex is the Cella Septichora, with seven apses. Inside, you can see tombs with beautiful wall paintings. Visitors can visit the Painted Twin Grave, which features Christian symbols in a gabled double grave.

In addition to the twin grave, the Painted Twin Grave contains fourteen burial sites separated by bricks and stones. Some of these graves have names engraved on the stone fragments.

3. UNESCO’s Fert Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape

The Fert/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape encompasses a region of outstanding natural values and landscape diversity. It contains a mixture of wetlands and steppe landscapes and has been shaped by many different human and ethnic groups.

In addition, it is a rich source of plant and animal life, including rare species. The region borders Hungary to the east, Lower Austria to the west, and Steiermark to the southwest. It is approximately 1,531 square miles in area and consists of the eastern and central portions of two states.

The low-lying northern area of the region is part of the Pannonian Basin and is linked to the southern Vienna basin by two gateways. The Neusiedler Lake is one of the most prominent features of the region. The city of Salzburg has many notable historic buildings that have been incorporated into its landscape.

For example, the imposing HohenSalzburg fortress dominates the skyline. There are also numerous Gothic-era buildings that combine to create a unique townscape and urban fabric. The cultural landscape also encompasses the entire Danube valley from Melk to Krems. This UNESCO-listed area includes 81 thousand hectares of lands.

The region is an example of the harmonious interaction between man and nature. Its natural scenery includes meadows, wetlands, and alkaline pastures. In addition, historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries are found in the area.

4. Travel to Hungary – Hortobgy National Park the Puzta

Located in the eastern region of Hungary, Hortobgy National Park the Puzta is a large, 800-hectare park that is rich in folklore. It is a part of the Alföld district and was first designated a national park in 1973. It was added to the World Heritage List in 1999.

A unique example of man-nature interaction, Hortobagy is home to more than three hundred bird species. The most spectacular sight is the autumn migration. While the region never had a dense population, it did experience periods of war as the region was occupied by the Tartars and the Turkish Empires.

This is evident in the many remains of traditional settlements. A walk through the grasslands will reveal guard and burial mounds from the Nomad culture. The Puszta is composed of a vast grassy steppe, similar to that of the great prairies of the US and Mongolia.

The landscape is sparsely interrupted by trees, though there are roads, bridges, and shepherds’ facilities. There are also wetlands that provide habitat for abundant birdlife. The Puszta National Park is home to several tourist attractions.

There is a visitor’s center and a museum dedicated to the area’s wildlife. The Puszta Tourist Information Center has a multi-media show about the Puszta’s wildlife and a gift shop.

5. The Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and Its Natural Environment

The Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannontalma and its Natural Environment is a unique educational establishment with a long history of education. Its traditions date back to 996, when King St. Stephen brought his son, Prince Imre, to be educated in the monastery.

Today, the school is one of the best in the country, with more than 300 students. Classes range from grades seven to twelve. Students can also choose from 10 different sports, 12 different languages, and many other activities in the afternoons. The abbey area is home to an impressive library and a botanical garden.

You’ll find many species of flowers and songbirds in this beautiful environment. If you have time, you can also visit the abbey’s winery and try its wines. There are also several guesthouses and guided tours available in the village.

There is also a visitor center at the abbey. Here, you can rent an audio guide and buy brochures. The brochures provide an introduction to the abbey’s history and culture. You’ll also find maps and an overview of the major sites. UNESCO has listed the Pannonhalma Abbey as a World Heritage Site. Located 20 kilometers south of Gyor, this 1000-year-old monastery is an important spiritual center in Hungary.

6. The Old Village of Hollk and Its Surroundings – UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Old Village of Hollk and its Surrounded is a preserved rural community that has undergone extensive restoration efforts over the years. The village dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries and is an excellent example of traditional village development before the agricultural revolution.

It is located about 100 km north of Budapest, in the Hungarian countryside. The 141-hectare village has 126 houses and a variety of agricultural land use, including vineyards and strip-field farming.

7. The Tokaj Wine Region is a UNESCO Historic Cultural Landscape

The Tokaj Wine Region is located in northeastern Hungary. Named after the town of Tokaj, the region has around 5,500 hectares of vineyards. This beautiful area provides plenty of opportunities for wine tastings and excursions.

The area also boasts several great restaurants and producer’s markets. The region’s terroir is characterized by a mixture of loess and clay soil. It is also situated close to two rivers, the Tisza and the Bodrog, which contribute to the vineyard’s climate.

This climate is especially suited to Botrytis, which promotes grape growth on the south-facing slopes. The Tokaj Wine Region is known for its unique viticultural tradition that is more than 1,000 years old. The Tokaj Wine Region is a World Heritage Site and has a long history of viticulture and wine making.

During the reign of King Louis XIV, the region was referred to as ‘the wine of kings’. In addition, during the reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, a permanent detachment of guards was stationed in Tokaj to protect her royal shipments.

In the nineteenth century, Queen Victoria was given a dozen bottles of Tokaj wine by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor. This property is a world heritage site and protected under the World Heritage Act. This means that its management is subject to regular monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

Furthermore, the property must be managed in a way that it maintains its unique environmental and socio-economic conditions. Wine has been a major economic engine in the region and needs to be preserved to support sustainable development of local communities.

8. Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst – UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Caves of Aggtelek Karsth and Slovak Karst are not just a natural attraction, they also offer unique tourist experiences. The Baradla Cave, 25.5 km long, is considered to be the most diverse cave system in the region. It has a natural entrance at the edge of Aggtelek village.

Visitors will find traces of human habitation here as far back as the Neolithic period. The Aggtelek National Park is located in north-eastern Hungary and was established in 1985. Its purpose is to protect the natural treasures, both organic and inorganic, that have been found in the region.

Its forest cover is mostly deciduous, but it also has areas with rock and other forms of karst. It is home to rare plant and insect life. The park is also home to the largest cave system in Central Europe. The Aggtelek Caves are part of the Slovak Karst, which is a World Heritage Site since 1995.

Together with the Hungarian Karst Caves, they are unique among caves in the world, with varying types of ice filling and sinter, making them extremely unique to the area’s climate. Visitors to the area can take advantage of the numerous hiking trails that are carved into the rock.

Several of these trails are part of the Voros-to National Park, while others are concentrated in the area around Aggtelek and Josvafo villages. Many of these trails are educational and contain leaflet guides in three languages. A visitor center is located at the Voros-to (Red Lake) entrance. However, this is not a modern exposition, and most visitors do not stay there for more than a day.