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From Wikivoyage

Gönc is a small town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County in Northern Hungary. It is located close to the border with Slovakia, 55 km (34 mi) from county capital Miskolc. It is the northernmost town of Hungary.

Nearby town Abaújszántó is also described here.

Understand

Gönc has been inhabited since the Conquest of Hungary. In the Middle Ages it was royal estate and an important market town.

Between 1570 and 1647, it was the seat of the county of Abaúj county and, as a result, it developed into an ever-growing market town. Although the lands in this region were owned by Magyar landlords, Gönc itself was a crown possession. In the 13th century the court invited German craftsmen to settle at Gönc, as was the practice in many other settlements. As a result of this, the village became more and more dominated by the new settlers.

During the age of the Reformation, Gönc became a cultural centre. It was here that Gáspár Károlyi, the first to translate the Bible into Hungarian in 1590, served as a minister.

Get in

By train

Gönc

Trains are available from Abaújszántó and Hidasnémeti two times a day. From Budapest you have to transfer in Hidasnémeti. The whole journey from Budapest takes 4 hours and costs 4500 Ft.

1 Gönc Train Station, ☏ +36 1 349-4949, . There is no ticket office, tickets can be purchased on the train. Gönc railway station (Q22075347) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)

Abaújszántó

Trains are available in every two hours from Szerencs. From Budapest, you have to transfer in Szerencs. The whole journey from Budapest takes 3.5 hours and costs 4705 Ft.

2 Abaújszántó Train Station, Abaújszántó, ☏ +36 1 349-4949, . There is no ticket office, tickets can be purchased on the train. Abaújszántó railway station (Q22075333) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)

By bus

Gönc

Buses from Hidasnémeti to Gönc are available in every 1–2 hours. The journey takes about 12 minutes and costs 250 Ft.

Abaújszántó

Buses from Encs to Abaújszántó are available in every 1–2 hours. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs 310 Ft.

Get around

There is no local public transport or taxi service. You can use the regional buses operated by Volánbusz.

See

Gönc

Hussite House in Gönc
  • 1 Hussite House (Huszita-ház), Kossuth utca 85, ☏ +36 70 775-4370. Tu–Su 10:00–18:00 by appointment only. According to local belief, it was originally built and inhabited by Hussites, although this has not yet been proven beyond any doubt. Today it is a heritage museum. (Q1056559) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
  • 2 Gáspár Károlyi Museum and Bible Exhibition (Károlyi Gáspár Múzeum és Bibliakiállítás), Károlyi utca 27, ☏ +36 46 388-650, . Tu–Sa 10:00–17:00. The exhibition consists of four rooms. The first and introductory hall is the Károlyi Room with a local history exhibition. The second is the “Books Returning Home from Russia” room with valuable ancient prints. The third is the Church Art Hall, where the collection of the Gönc congregation can be seen. The fourth room presents Bibles with different translations and languages. Adult: 800 Ft; senior, student: 400 Ft. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 3 Pálffy Mansion (Pálffy-kastély). Built in 1780 in Copf style. Heavily remodeled in Eclectic style. (Q12815728) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
  • 4 Roman Catholic Church (Római katolikus templom), Szent István tér 1. Built in Gothic style, dating from the 14th century. Rebuilt in 1777 and 1827 in late Baroque style. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 5 Gáspár Károlyi Statue (Károlyi Gáspár-szobor), Károlyi Gáspár utca 29. Gáspár Károlyi was a Hungarian Calvinist pastor. He translated the Bible to Hungarian in 1586 with supports of Sigismund Rákóczi. It was the first Hungarian translation of both the Old and New Testament. The statue was erected in 1890. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 6 Ruins of Pauline Monastery (Pálos kolostor romjai). Built at the end of the 14th century in Gothic style. Free to visit. (Q1242242) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)

Abaújszántó

  • 7 Rákóczi House (Rákóczi-ház), Béke út 42, Abaújszántó, ☏ +36 47 330-847, . Tu–F 10:30–18:00, F Sa 14:00–18:00. Local history collection. The building was built between 1800–1830 in Classicist stlye. Free entrance. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 8 Patay Mansion (Patay-kastély), Cekeházi utca, Abaújszántó. Built around 1820 in Classicist style. Patay Mansion (Abaújszántó) (Q56121888) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
  • 9 Roman Catholic Church (Római katolikus templom), István király tér 1, Abaújszántó. Built in the 15th century in Gothic style. Partially remodeled in the second part of the 18th century. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 10 Reformed Church (Református templom), Rákóczi utca, Abaújszántó. Built in 1752 in Baroque style. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 11 Greek Catholic Church (Görög katolikus templom), Rákóczi utca 98, Abaújszántó. Built between 1791–1792 in late Baroque style. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 12 Lutheran Church (Evangélikus templom), Jászai Pál tér, Abaújszántó. Built between 1798–1799 in Zopf stlye. (updated Dec 2020)

Further afield

Castle of Boldogkő from the air

In Abaújvár:

  • 13 Reformed Church (Református templom), Béke út, Abaújvár. Built in the 14th century in Gothic style on Roman basis. Reformed church, Abaújvár (Q1497121) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)

In Boldogkőváralja:

  • 14 Castle of Boldogkő (Boldogkői vár), Boldogkőváralja, ☏ +36 20 249-0767, . Apr–Oct: Sa Su 09:00–19:00. Built in the 13th century. There is an exhibition of archaeological, military history, tin soldier, coat of arms and flag, prison and torture, chamber, smithy numismatic, mineral, statue. Adult: 1500 Ft; senior, student: 1100 Ft. Boldogkő Castle (Q833939) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
  • 15 Heritage House (Tájház), Arany János utca 1, Boldogkőváralja, ☏ +36 20 245-4620. Apr: 10:00–17:00; May–Oct 10:00–18:00. Collection about local history, presentation of the Zemplén Mountains natural values, tools for use, blacksmithing. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 16 Terra-Boldogkő, Arany János utca 5, Boldogkőváralja, ☏ +36 20 279-3366, . Sa Su 11:30–20:00. Experience-based historical labyrinth in a cellar. Adult: 600 Ft, children: 400 Ft. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 17 Péchy–Zichy Mansion (Péchy–Zichy-kastély), Kossuth utca 2, Boldogkőváralja, ☏ +36 46 387-722. Built in 1768 in Baroque style. It has an ancient landscape park. Péchy–Zichy Mansion (Q56219250) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
  • 18 Roman Catholic Church (Római katolikus templom). Built between 1768–1773 in Baroque style. (updated Dec 2020)

In Fony:

  • 19 Ruins of Amadé's Fort (Amadé-vár romjai), Fony. The castle was built in the second half of the 13th century by the palatine Amadé. Only fragments of the wall of the former old tower remain. Free to visit. Amadé Castle (Q685981) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
Ruins of Pauline Monastery in Gönc

In Golop:

  • 20 Ancient Hungarian Coat of Arms and Flag Exhibition (Ősi Magyar Címer- és Zászlókiállítás), Rákóczi Ferenc utca 36, Golop, ☏ +36 70 670-6723, . Mar 15–Oct 31: 10:00–16:00. The exhibition features more than 500 coats of arms and 16 historical flags. The pieces on display are the gold-embroidered needle-painting works of Ilona Szabadiné Sinkó. The building is the new Vay Mansion. It was built around 1820 in Classicist style. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 21 Old Vay Mansion (Régi Vay-kastély), Rákóczi Ferenc utca 34, Golop. Built in the 16–17th century. Vay mansions in Golop (Q1420605) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)

In Hejce:

  • 22 Bishopric Mansion (Püspöki kúria), Béke tér 1, Hejce. Built in 1774 in Zopf style. Externally remodeled in 1845. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 23 Roman Catholic Church (Római katolikus templom), Béke tér 5, Hejce. Built in the 15th century in Gothic style. The facade was remodeled in Zopf style around 1780. (updated Dec 2020)

In Kéked:

  • 24 Melczer Mansion (Melczer-kastély), Fő utca 21, Kéked. Built in the 15–16th century in Gothic style. Melczer Mansion in Alsókéked (Kéked) (Q1175657) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)

In Regéc:

  • 25 Ruins of Castle of Regéc (Regéci vár romjai), Regéc, ☏ +36 30 708-9148, . Dec 1–Mar 14: Sa Su 09:00–15:00; Nov: 09:00–16:00; Mar 15–Apr 30 Oct: 09:00–17:00; May–Sep: 09:00–18:00. It was built in the 13th century, collapsed at the and of the 18th century. Adult: 800 Ft; senior, student: 600 Ft. Regéc Castle (Q1246990) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
  • 26 Castle of Regéc Visitor Centre (Regéci Vár Látogatóközpont), Fő utca 42, Regéc, ☏ +36 30 708-9148, . There is an interactive exhibition about the Castle of Regéc. Adult: 500 Ft; senior, student: 300 Ft. (updated Dec 2020)
Castle of Regéc from the air

In Tállya:

  • 27 Encsy Mineral Collection (Encsy ásványgyűjtemény), Rákóczi út 70, Tállya, ☏ +36 47 398-177, . Only by appointment. Exhibition of minerals, fossils, prehistoric artifacts from Zemplén Mountains collected by György Encsy. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 28 Maillot Mansion (Maillot-kastély), Rákóczi út 16-18, Tállya. Built around 1720 in Baroque style. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 29 Balogh Mansion (Balogh-kúria), Vörösmarty utca 22, Tállya. Built around 1780 in Zopf style. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 30 Roman Catholic Parish Church (Római katolikus plébániatemplom), Rákóczi út 15, Tállya. Gothic origins, remodeled in Baroque style in 1720. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 31 Reformed Church (Református templom), Bocskai utca 11, Tállya. Built in 1753 in Baroque style. (updated Dec 2020)

In Telkibánya:

  • 32 Telkibánya Local History Collection (Telkibányai Helytörténeti Kiállítás), Múzeum út 15, ☏ +36 30 768-5271, . Apr–Oct: Tu–Su 09:00–17:00. In the museum visitors can view the exhibition in 6 halls. In the first hall you can see the talking headstones of Telkibánya and then the minerals of the Eperjes–Tokaj Mountains. In the next room, the products of the first porcelain factory in Hungary can be seen, and then visitors can get acquainted with the memories of medieval gold mining, as Telkibánya was a significant gold mining town in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the last room you can see the memorial room of the Kádár family, the founder of the museum. In the yard you can see a millstone park, which is unique in Central Europe. Adult: 635 Ft; senior, student: 380 Ft. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 33 Reformed Church (Református templom), Hegyi út, Telkibánya. Built in the 15th century in Gothic style. Remodeled and extended with tower in 1892. (updated Dec 2020)

In Tornyosnémeti:

  • 34 Reformed Church (Református templom), Árpád fejedelem utca 19, Tornyosnémeti. Built in 1477 in Gothic style on Roman basis. (updated Dec 2020)
The Vizsoly Bible was the first Bible printed in the Hungarian language. It was translated in the 16th century by pastor Gáspár Károlyi and fellow Calvinists and was printed in 1590 by Bálint Mantskovit. A copy is kept on permanent display in the Reformed Church of Vizsoly.

In Vizsoly:

  • 35 Vizsoly Bible Visitor Centre (Vizsolyi Biblia látogatóközpont), Szent János utca 82-84, Vizsoly, ☏ +36 46 587-512, . Mar–Oct: Tu–Su 09:00–18:00; Nov–Dec: Tu–Su 10:00–16:00. Services: a guided tour of the church, a presentation of the original Vizsoly Bible, a presentation of frescos, and two exhibitions of the Manstkovit Printing History Exhibition combined with interactive bible printing. Adult: 1000 Ft; senior, student: 600 Ft (the ticket includes all the services). (updated Dec 2020)
  • 36 Reformed Church (Református templom), Szent János utca 80, Vizsoly. Built at the beginning of 13th century in Roman style. The nave and the tower are Gothic. Reformed Church in Vizsoly (Q1460602) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2020)
  • 37 Roman Catholic Church (Római katolikus templom), Szent János utca 100, Vizsoly. Built in 1799 in late Baroque style. (updated Dec 2020)

Do

Events

Buy

  • 1 Coop, Kossuth utca 69, ☏ +36 46 388-007. M–F 06:00–18:00, Sa 06:00–16:00. Supermarket. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 2 Coop, Rákóczi út 52, Tállya, ☏ +36 47 398-047. M–F 06:00–16:30, Sa 06:00–16:00. Supermarket. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 3 Reál, Kossuth Lajos tér 9-11, Abaújszántó, ☏ +36 47 530-005, . M–F 05:30–19:30, Sa 06:00–19.00, Su 07:00–11:30. Supermarket. (updated Dec 2020)

Eat

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
BudgetUnder 2100 Ft
Mid-range2100 Ft–2900 Ft
SplurgeOver 2900 Ft

Budget

Castle of Boldogkő

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Castle of Regéc

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
BudgetUnder 11,000 Ft
Mid-range11,000 Ft–16,000 Ft
SplurgeOver 16,000 Ft

Budget

Interior of the Reformed Church of Vizsoly.

Mid-range

Castle of Boldogkő

Splurge

Castle of Regéc

Connect

Gönc's postal code is H-3895 and its telephone area code is 46.

Go next

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