Lovely Hungarian settlements notable for the Palóc culture

The Palóc people are a subgroup of Hungarians living in Northern Hungary, who are well-known for their distinct culture that they try to preserve still today, reports Magyarorszagom.hu. The special dialect of Hungarian they speak, their traditions and way of life constitute the Palóc heritage, and several Hungarian settlements provide an opportunity for visitors to gain an insight into their tradition preservation. If you are interested in getting to know more about these places including museums that exhibit items related to this culture, you might like the 5 Palóc sites collected in this article.

When people hear the word Palóc, a number of things can pop into their minds including the traditional techniques of rural architecture, folk art, traditional clothing and the hospitality of the Palóc people. Many people associate these things with the settlement of Hollókő, located in Nógrád county, but there are less-known representatives of this heritage as well.

1. The Old Village of Hollókő

It is the most well-known representative of the Palóc heritage especially with its architecture that attracts thousands of tourists every year. As Whc.unesco.org reports, the buildings compose a rural architectural ensemble with the half-timbered houses of white-washed walls and balconies. This settlement is so significant both from architectural and cultural perspectives that it is declared a world heritage site protected by UNESCO.

Today, many of the buildings give a home to museums, exhibitions, restaurants and workshops. Furthermore, those interested might be amazed by the fact that locals still cultivate the land using traditional methods.

It is absolutely worth visiting Hollókő where life can be peaceful and vibrant, too, because of the annually-organised traditional festivals and Easter celebrations .

2. Kazár

Northeast Hungary can be rightly proud of its Palóc settlements among which Kazár is undoubtedly an outstanding one. This town is also located in Nógrád county, 7 km away from Salgótarján, the county seat, and its uniqueness lies in its colourfully-decorated costumes.

The most notable part of the traditional clothing is certainly the bonnet of women which is the most colourful piece as well.

As Palocut.hu writes, well-to-do women possessed several of these bonnets and, depending on the occasion, they could choose the appropriate one to wear.

If you visit this settlement, do not forget to go to the Country House and the Palóc Gallery as well. However, no visit can pass without trying the local specialities at the House of Traditions, so be prepared for a cultural and gastronomical journey.