Get to know Egerszalók, the famous spa centre of Hungary

Egerszalók is one of the most popular spa centres in Hungary, its unique salt basins attract many visitors every year. It is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway or even for a longer vacation because there are many sights to see in the village. Magyarorszagkul.nlcafe.hu put together a little guide to Egerszalók.

The thermal spring and the salt hill

Egerszalók lies 5 kilometres away from Eger in the valley of the Laskó Stream in the Eger-Bükkalja region. It is mostly known for its 65-68° Celsius thermal spring that helps to cure many diseases. The spring comes from a depth of 410 metres in the southern part of the village. It is usually used as a remedy for bone diseases, arthralgia and rheumatism, but it is also a great drinking cure.

Phoo: www.facebook.com/SalirisResortEgerszalók

Egerszalók was made famous by a unique spectacle that was formed by the thermal spring dripping down the hillside. This is the famous salt hill, which is a truly peculiar sight. The lime precipitates from the water that springs on top of the 18 metres tall hill. The crust grows year by year and covers more and more of the hillside. As the water lodges in the natural nipples, it forms white limestone terraces, lacy shelves and limestone curtains. In the beginning these terraces tended to moulder easily, but they thickened with time.

Photo: www.facebook.com/SalirisResortEgerszalók

There are only two similar formations in the world: one in Pamukkale in Turkey, and the other in the Yellowstone National Park in the USA. This is why we are very proud of the Egerszalók salt hill 🙂

Beyond the salt hill

After you’ve admired the salt hill for a few hours (days, weeks etc.), make sure to explore the rest of Egerszalók and its neighbourhood, because there are other sights worth visiting as well. For instance, the Baroque church of the village and its “wonder-worker devotional picture of Virgin Mary” attract a lot of pilgrims. Legend has it that it can cure people suffering from fatal diseases.

Something else you must see are the ash-cones, which were formed by volcano eruptions 10-20 million years ago. Chambers were carved into the formation later. However, no one knows exactly why. Some people think that they were used as a beehive, while others believe that the ashes of the leaders of pagan rebellions in the time of Saint Stephen were buried there. But they could’ve been forest shrines made by hermits.

Photo: www.facebook.com/BükkiNemzetiParkIgazgatóság

You can also visit special cave homes, which were formed in the 17–18^th centuries, and some of them are still used as cook-houses. The apartments found at the end of Sáfrány Street were renovated by the municipality. The liparite tufa stone that forms the upper layer of rocks in the Bükkalja region from Tarna Valley until Miskolc is easy to shape, cut and carve, this is why our ancestors were able to create different cellars, apartments, barns and even houses. What a heritage! 🙂