Page 219 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

THE NOR THERN HIGHLANDS  217

note that all contain at least 6 Parád and
one relatively difficult section. Parádfürdő
Mátrafüred is also great for
mountain biking, and many 30 km (19 miles) north of Gyöngyös.
pensions hire out good­quality Road Map E3. * 2,400. £ from
bikes. Non­hikers can pass the Budapest. @ from Budapest.
time at the Palóc Ethno graph­
ical Museum (Palóc Néprajzi The waters at Parádfürdő
Magángyűjtemény és Baba­ have been taken as a cure for
kiállítás), where a large and digestive disorders and bathed
colourful collection of dolls in as a cure for gynae cological
shows the traditional costumes ailments since the 17th century.
of the Palóc people. The real treasure of the twin
About 8 km (5 miles) further villages, however, is the so
Interior of St Bertalan Parish Church into the mountains is the smaller called Fancy Stable (Cifra Istálló).
in Gyöngyös resort of Mátra háza, with more Commissioned by Count György
hiking trails, and Károlyi it was designed
the former Orczy Mansion, close slightly further north is by Miklós Ybl (who
to the narrow­gauge railway Mátraszentistván, also designed the
station. The late 18th­ century Hungary’s leading ski State Opera House in
mansion is a mixture of Neo­ resort and also a base Buda pest (see pp93-3).
Baroque and Neo­Classical styles. for summer hiking. Completed in 1880,
Heves county is known for its Kékestető, at much of the stable’s
sports, and the Mátra Museum’s 1,015 m (3,330 ft) elaborate decoration
best exhibition is devoted to the highest peak in is of red marble. Few
hunting, complete with various Hungary, lies east horses have finer
trophies. In the beautiful park of Mátraháza. It is homes, and the
around the mansion, there is a served by bus or Footpath marker in the famous Lipizzaner
three­storey pavilion with takes 45 minutes to Mátra Mountains horses are still bred
exhibitions on natural history. hike up. The moun tain here. The rest of the
The pride of the collection is is topped by a 90­m­ (295­ft­) building is the Parád Coach
a 40,000–50,000­year­old high TV tower, which offers Museum (Parádi Kocsi­
mammoth skeleton found spectacular views from the múzeum), which has a wide
nearby. The Palm House is also viewing platform at the top. selection of elaborate horse­
home to living animals, reptiles, For more relaxing pursuits, drawn coaches, some of
fishes and birds. there is good fishing at the which were once used by
picturesque Lake Sástó, which, the Hungarian royal family.
E St Bertalan Treasury Museum at an altitude of 500 m (1,640 ft), There are also interesting
Szent Bertalan utca 3. Tel (37) 30 00 is one of the highest in Hungary. dis plays on carriage building,
72. Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat; Sun by It is found between Mátra füred tradi tional Palóc music, dance,
appointment only. & and Mátraháza. folk costumes and tools.
E Mátra Museum and
Microarium E Palóc Ethnographical Museum E Parád Coach Museum
Kossuth Lajos utca 40. Tel (37) 50 55 Pálosvörösmarti utca 2, Mátrafüred. Kossuth Lajos utca 217. Tel (36) 36 40
30. Open 9am–5pm Tue–Sun. & 7 Tel (30) 913 49 87. Open May–Oct: 83. Open Apr–Sep: 10am–5pm daily;
9am–5pm daily; Nov–Mar: 10am–3pm Oct–Mar: 10am–4pm Tue–Sun. &
daily. & 8 Hungarian only. 7 8 7
5 Mátra Mountains
85 km (52 miles) northeast of
Budapest. Road Map D3/E3. £ from
Mátrafüred. @ from Mátrafüred.
n Tour inform Gyöngyös, Fő tér 10,
(37) 51 03 10.
The most spectacular way
to traverse the steep Mátra
Mountains is by narrow­gauge
railway from Gyöngyös to
Mátrafüred, the largest village
in the region. In summer,
Mátra füred is pure heaven for
lovers of challenging moun tain
hikes. There are trails of various
lengths, all well marked, but A typical thatched Palóc cottage in the village of Parád

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