Lillafüred

Lillafüred (Miskolc-Lillafüred) is a town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Hungary. Officially it is a part of Miskolc, actually it is almost 12 kilometres away from the city, in the Bükk Mountains. Lillafüred is a popular tourist resort.

History

Count András Bethlen, the minister of agriculture, when visiting Lake Hámori in the 1890s, decided to build a holiday resort at this beautiful place. The resort was named after his wife, Lilla Vay. The Palace Hotel was built by István Bethlen.

Tourist sights

Palace Hotel (Palotaszálló)

The famous hotel was designed by Kálmán Lux and was built between 1927 and 1930 in neo-Renaissance style. One of the restaurants of the hotel is a Renaissance restaurant named after King Matthias. Its stained glass windows show the castles of historical Hungary. The hotel is surrounded by a large park with rare plants.

Hanging Gardens

The hanging gardens are below the hotel, between the streams Szinva and Garadna. The highest waterfall in Hungary can be found here, as well as the Anna Cave.

Caves

There are three natural caves not far from the hotel:
* Anna Cave, with plant fossils preserved in limestone;
* István Cave: a large dripstone cave;
* Szeleta Cave: a cave where many Paleolithic relics were found.

Lake Hámori

The artificial lake was formed in the early 19th century by the damming of the water of Szinva and Garadna, to supply the iron furnace with water. The lake is 1.5 kilometres long. In the summer, boats and paddle boats can be rented.

Ottó Herman's House

A small museum dedicated to the well-known ornithologist and polyhistor. (Not to be confused with Ottó Herman Museum, which is in the downtown.)

Miller's Rock

There are two different local legends explaining why is there a crucifix on the top of the rock. According to the more well-known one the daughter of the rich miller and her beloved, the miller's poor apprentice jumped down from the rock because her parents didn't allow them to marry. The other legend says an old miller jumped down the rock when he learned that his young wife is cheating on him. This second version is lesser known, but it was mentioned by the famous author Mór Jókai in one of his books.

Fehérkőlápa

The area south from Lillafüred Valley got its name ("marsh of the white stone") after a rock, which provides a nice view on the area, and a nearby marsh. The place is within the Bükk National Park. There is a guest house there too.

Trout farm

The trout farm is a few kilometres away from Lillafüred, which is one of the most famous in all of Hungary. Visitors can buy freshly grilled or smoked trout here. The farm is closed on Monday to visitors.The narrow-gauge train that departs from Miskolc makes a stop at the farm on the days it is open. The stop is after the main Lillafüred stop.

Hámor Rock

A popular rock for climbers. Climbing competitions are held in every January.

Other data

* Population: 481
* Postal code: 3517
* Distance from downtown Miskolc: 11,6 km

How to get there

* By MVK buses 5 and 15 from Miskolc-Diósgyőr
* By Borsod Volán's bus heading to Bükkszentkereszt
* Recommended for spectacular views: Narrow-gauge railway from Miskolc-Diósgyőr. (LÁÉV: Lillafüredi Állami Erdei Vasút; Lillafüred Forest State Railway)

External links

* [http://www.lillafured.com/index_en.html Some info on Lillafüred]
* [http://www.hunguesthotels.hu/information.php?hotel_id=24&session_language=en Palace Hotel Official Site]