Location
Miskolc is situated in the north-eastern part of Hungary at the so-called Miskolc Gate, where the mountains of the Highlands become hills and the Sajó and Hernád rivers flow towards the Great Hungarian Plain. From the Avas hill a beautiful view opens to the surrounding area: to the north the 2,000-meter high peaks of the Tatras, to the south the Great Hungarian Plain, to the west the Bükk mountains climb over the horizon, and to the east the Tokaj Hill can be seen above the royal wine-district. Here, at the intersection of the two geographical regions, lies today’s Miskolc, the 3rd largest town in Hungary, with a population of 200,000.
History
The territory of and around the city was inhabited as early as prehistoric times. Throughout the centuries the town gained more and more importance and by the 14th century it became a commercial and market town. The town was not favoured by history: the Turkish, then the Habsburg occupation, the struggles of wars of independence, several floods, fires and epidemics caused huge devastation, however, development did not stop, on the contrary, it speeded up in the years of industrialisation in the 2nd half of the 19th century. This was the time when the foundations of heavy industry (iron works, blast furnace, plate mill works) were laid down. No wonder that after World War II, up to 1990, this region was the country’s main heavy industrial centre. With the shift from the socialist era into market economy, the town faced serious new problems and challenges which were brought about by the degeneration of industry and growing unemployment. Though many of the problems live on, the town has found its place, role and image in the new era.
As you are going to spend a small part of your life in this town, you cannot miss the opportunity of visiting its famous and peculiar sights, and also its picturesque surroundings. Some of them can easily be reached on foot from downtown, others are a bit farther off and you have to take a bus. Discover the town and enjoy its values. Here is a short list of what is worth seeing: National Theatre, Avas Hill with its TV tower and the ancient Calvinist Church at its foot, Greek Orthodox Church and Museum, Herman Ottó Museum, Diósgyõr Castle, Lillafüred, Palace Hotel and the lake, Tapolca, Cave Bath.
The town can boast of a vivid cultural life and offers a wide choice of leisure time activities too. Cinemas and multiplex movies can be found downtown, along Széchenyi Street, in Szinvapark shopping centre and Miskolc Plaza. If you want to have a good meal or just a snack, or to drink something and have a pleasant chat with friends, you will surely bump into a nice restaurant or café. The theatre offers performances in all kinds of genres from the palette of Hungarian and world literature and music. Permanent and temporary exhibitions are on display in the Art Gallery and the museums. The theatre, the churches and Bartók Béla Music Institute (Palace of Music) often host concerts of classical music. One of the most famous musical events is the series of organ concerts in the Avas Church. The town has its own Symphony Orchestra, and the Music Institute has its own choir. If you are interested in pop/rock music, just be attentive and look for the big posters all over the town to know the place and date of concerts. You can practice body training in one of the numerous gyms and fitness centres, or you can go to the swimming pool. You may long for a walk in a picturesque environment, to breathe some fresh air and have a peaceful recreation: your wish comes true if you go to Lillafüred, Tapolca or the Bükk Mountains.