Eger, Medieval castle town in northern Hungary
Eger is a town in northern Hungary that spreads along the valley of the Eger River between the Mátra and Bükk mountain ranges. The old town displays baroque facades, cobbled lanes and a castle perched on a hill overlooking the center.
In 1552 a small garrison defended the fortress against a large Ottoman force and held out for 38 days. This siege later became a central event in Hungarian historical memory and literature.
The town takes its name from the Hungarian word for alder, a tree that once lined the riverbanks. Today locals gather in the thermal baths, which remain a central part of daily life as they have been for centuries.
The Sirens Valley south of town holds hundreds of wine cellars carved into the tufa rock and reachable on foot. Many cellars offer tastings of local wines, including the red wine blend called Bikavér.
Below the old town runs an extensive system of tunnels originally built for defense. Today many winemakers use these cool passages to store their bottles.
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