Miskolc: Hungary

Miskolc: Hungary
Miskolc (IPA: /miʃkolts/, approximate pronunciaton: “Mishkolts�; in Slovak Miškovec, in Polish Miszkolc) is a city in North-East Hungary, mainly with heavy industrial background. With a population close to 180,000 (2001) Miskolc is the third largest city of Hungary (the first two are Budapest and Debrecen.) It is also the county capital of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén.
Districts of Miskolc
Avas
The Avas is a hill (234 m / 780 ft) in the heart of Miskolc. On the hilltop stands the Avas looking tower, the symbol of the city. On the northern part of the hill, close to downtown Erzsébet Square, is the Gothic Protestant Church of Avas, one of the two oldest buildings of Miskolc (the other is the Castle of Diósgyőr.) The limestone caves of Avas are used as wine cellars; the narrow, winding streets give a Mediterranean atmosphere to this part of Avas Hill. The southern part of Avas, also called Avas-South, is where the largest housing estate of the city stands, with 10-storey Socialist-style concrete buildings providing homes for about one-third of the city’s population.
Belváros (Downtown)
The historical centre of Miskolc isn’t as rich in monuments as that of other cities; only the Main Street (Széchenyi St.), Városház tér (City Hall Square) Erzsébet tér (Elizabeth Square) and Kossuth tér preserved the style of the 19th century town. There are not only historical buildings but modern shopping malls in the downtown, too.
Diósgyőr
The other town forming today’s Greater Miskolc is mostly famous for its medieval castle. Miskolc’s football team also got its name from Diósgyőr, since their stadium stands here. Historical Diósgyőr is connected to Historical Miskolc by a district called Újdiósgyőr (New Diósgyőr); its main square is an important traffic hub. Also in Újdiósgyőr stands the steel factory that made Miskolc the most important heavy industrial city of the country (and earned her the nickname Steelcity.)
Egyetemváros (University Town)
The University of Miskolc is among the newer ones, it was founded in the 1950s, so its buildings aren’t old, historical ones. University Town is one of the newer parts of the city and can be found between Miskolc and the holiday resort Miskolctapolca. The university, the campus and the sport facilities are surrounded by a large park.
Miskolctapolca
One of the most known holiday resorts of the country, Tapolca (officially Miskolctapolca or Miskolc-Tapolca to avoid confusion with the Transdanubian town of the same name) is the home of the unique Cave Bath, a natural cave with thermal water. Tapolca is quite far from the city centre and counts as one of the posh areas of Miskolc. It is a popular tourist attraction.
Lillafüred
The other famous holiday resort, Miskolc-Lillafüred is a picturesque village surrounded by the Bükk mountains. Its most famous building is the beautiful Palace Hotel (Palotaszálló).
Martintelep
Martintelep (or Martin-Kertváros) is a garden town area.
Hejőcsaba and Görömböly
Two former villages that were annexed to the city in 1945 and 1950. Görömböly still looks like a small town of its own.
Alsóhámor, Bükkszentlászló, Felsőhámor, Ómassa, Szirma
These former villages were annexed to the city in 1950 (Bükkszentlászló in 1981) and are still separated villages, connected to the city by only its mass transport system.
Tourist sights
Downtown
Main street and City Hall Square with the atmosphere of Hungarian towns of the 19th century
Gothic Protestant Church of the Avas Hill
National Theatre of Miskolc
Wooden Church
Ottó Herman Museum
Avas Looking Tower
Greek Orthodox Church with the largest iconostasion in Central Europe
Diósgyőr
Castle of Diósgyőr (built in the 13th century, had its prime during the reign of Louis the Great; medieval castle plays are held in every August)
Miskolctapolca
Cave Spa of Miskolctapolca
Lillafüred
Hotel Palace
Anna Cave, István Cave, Szeleta Cave
Lake Hámori
Trout Farm
There is a narrow-gauge railway that connects Lillafüred to Miskolc known as the Lillafüredi �llami Erdei Vasút (Lillafüred Forest State Railway). It winds through scenic forests, and takes between a half hour and 45 minutes for the train to go between the two major stops. The Miskolc stop is located in Diósgyőr.