Not far from the place where the Sinva flows into the Saio River, at the foot of the Bükk mountain range, 175 km from Budapest, is Miskolc. A city famous for its sights, as well as the nearby medical resort of Miskolc-Tapolca (not to be confused with simple Tapolca).
According to Wholevehicles, thermal cave baths in Miskolc-Tapolca with a water temperature of +28…+35 °C are unique in that they are located in natural depressions washed out by thermal waters. The water here contains calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbon, bromine, iodine, metasilicic acid and radon. The bath also includes a thermal pool, an outdoor pool and a children’s pool.
How to get there
By rail, the distance between the capital and Miskolc can be covered in about two hours (departure from Keleti station, approximately 3705 HUF). In addition to the railway, which connects the city with the capital of the country, Debrecen (1.5 hours, 1799 HUF), Polish Krakow (one per day) and Slovak Kosice (five per day), automobiles pass through Miskolc: to Kosice and Debrecen. There is a small airfield near the city, but it is not used for passenger traffic.
Buses departing at intervals of half an hour to an hour connect Miskolc with Debrecen (1820 HUF, 2 hours). In addition, there are 8 buses a day to Eger (1300 HUF, 1.5 hours).
History
The first settlements appeared on this site as early as the Paleolithic period, the Hungarians settled here from the 9th century, and in 1364 King Lajos the Great granted Miskolc the status of a city. During his reign, the Gyosgyor fortress was built near the city, which today is within its boundaries. The Turks burned the city in 1544, in the 18th century it was the center of the anti-Habsburg struggle led by Ferenc Rakoczy, it was burned again, revived, and by the 19th century, at the height of the era of industrialization, the first iron smelting furnaces were built here, which was the start industrial development in the city.
The vicissitudes of the city’s fate did not end there. Having become one of the largest industrial centers of the country by the beginning of the 20th century, Miskolc fell into a deep crisis provoked by the collapse of the socialist system: many enterprises closed, mass unemployment began, and the population declined sharply. By the beginning of the 21st century, the crisis was almost overcome, the credit for this belongs mainly to small businesses and tourism.
Weather in Miskolc
The climate in the city is warm, the temperature of January, the coldest month of the year, averages about -3.5 °C, the average temperature in July is about +20 °C.
Transport
Miskolc’s urban transport includes 45 bus routes and 2 trams, which satisfies the needs of residents to a sufficient extent. Both trams start their journey at the railway. station, under No. 1 passes through the entire city center and then turns onto Diosgyor, No. 2 also runs through the center, but ends its journey in the industrial quarter of Diosgyor-Kohaz. You can order a taxi by calling 333-333.
Bus number 2 runs to Tapolca from the Buza ter stop.
Miskolc Hotels
Most city hotels in Miskolc correspond mainly to the level of 2-3 * and offer a standard set of services. For relaxation in the resort of Miskolc-Tapolca, it is advisable to choose the Bastya Wellness Hotel, which is located in close proximity to the famous baths and includes access to outdoor and indoor pools, a steam room and a gym in its price. The city has many restaurants and cafes that are happy to offer their guests Hungarian cuisine and the famous Hungarian wine.
Baths in Miskolc-Tapolca
Thermal cave baths are located in the very center, at Pazar Istvan setany, 1. The cost of visiting is 2000 HUF, for children 1600 HUF, opening hours are 9:00-19:00 from mid-July to August and 9:00-18:00 from September to mid-July.
Another must-see place is the baths with a large open-air pool, which are located in the center, in the park, at the address: Miskolctapolcai ut, 1. Opening hours May-September 9:00-18:00, admission fee: 1950-2350 HUF, for children: 1350-1750 HUF.
Entertainment and attractions in Miskolc
The center of the old town is the town hall square, which is a typical, and, I must say, very beautiful and harmonious example of a Hungarian city of the 18th-19th century buildings.
The main architectural style is baroque, according to which the houses are graceful and light.
Many temples of the city are not only the property of believers, but also a magnet for tourists. Miskolc is an important center of the Protestant religion in Hungary, the largest Reformed church is located on the Avas hill. Representatives of other religions are not forgotten: the Orthodox Church with a magnificent iconostasis of 88 icons, a synagogue with a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, the parish Catholic Church not only operate in the city, but are its significant sights.
Gyosgyor Castle is located on the western outskirts of the city. It traces its history from time immemorial, remembers many battles and battles. In the 14th century, the castle was well equipped and luxuriously decorated, as it was the favorite place of King Lajos the Great. Today, a historical panopticon operates here throughout the year, and each of the four towers of the castle is given to a certain exposition, and every summer there are many holidays, festivals and theatrical historical performances.
Theater and events
Miskolc is a theatrical city. Within the walls of the National Theatre, which was built in 1856 and is one of the architectural landmarks of the city, you can see many performances from the classical and modern repertoire, and the opera festival, which takes place every year in June, gathers guests not only from all over Hungary, but also from other countries.
Museums of Miskolc
In addition to architectural sights, the city offers its guests to visit many museums, a special place in the list of which is occupied by the Art Gallery. The collection is systematically replenished, including through gifts from local patrons, and to this day contains many works of art created from the beginning of the 17th to the middle of the 20th century. The Museum of Natural Sciences is proud of its collection of minerals and natural rarities.
Neighborhood
The surroundings of Miskolc are famous for their spas. The climatic resort of Lillafured is picturesque and romantic. Many paths, waterfalls, famous stalactite caves, a magnificent park and a mountain lake with absolutely clear water create an amazingly harmonious atmosphere, staying in which heals the body and soothes the soul. The extremely pleasant architecture of the palace, built on the shore of the lake, completes the impression.
5 km from the city center there is another resort, unique in its essence – Miskolc-Tapolca. Its radioactive waters have been used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages. Nowadays, the main attraction of this resort is the natural thermal bath, which is located in a cave.
The effect of thermal water in combination with absolutely clean cave air works wonders: people suffering from bronchial asthma, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and the nervous system receive clear relief.
The popularity of the resort is growing, so new passages and adits are constantly being added to the existing cave, which makes it possible for more and more people to take healing baths.
