Northern Hungary
A north-eastern Hungarian region with a rich industrial and cultural heritage.
Northern Hungary (Hungarian: Észak-Magyarország) is a region in the north-eastern part of the country. Officially, it is a statistical area made up of three counties: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Heves, and Nógrád. In everyday speech, people often include Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county as well. The region’s main hub, largest city, and capital is Miskolc. It shares a northern border with Slovakia, touches the Northern Great Plain region to the south-east, and meets central Hungary to the south-west.
The economy here has long been shaped by industry. Miskolc, in particular, has a history of steelworking and machine manufacturing that goes back to the 1700s. Still, Northern Hungary has one of the lowest GDPs per capita and HDIs in the country. For context, the region’s GDP per capita (PPS) is €13,700 and its HDI is 0.811, while Central Hungary’s figures are €31,100 and 0.922.
Tourism draws visitors to several historic castles, including those at Eger, Diósgyőr, Füzér, and Sárospatak. The Castle of Eger is especially well-known for its defense against Ottoman forces during the 1552 Siege of Eger, and it serves as the setting for Géza Gárdonyi’s novel *Eclipse of the Crescent Moon* (originally *Egri csillagok*, or “Stars of Eger”). The region also boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst (a cross-border site with Slovakia), the village of Hollókő, and the Tokaj wine region, famous for its Tokaji wine.
Major cities and towns in Northern Hungary include Miskolc, Eger, Salgótarján, Ózd, Kazincbarcika, Mezőkövesd, Sárospatak, Sátoraljaújhely, Tiszaújváros, Tokaj, Gyöngyös, Szerencs, Hatvan, and Balassagyarmat.
Culturally, the region is home to the Palóc people, who speak a distinct dialect of Hungarian. The town of Hollókő is a prime example of traditional Palóc architecture. Balassagyarmat was once called the “capital city of Palóc country” by the noted Hungarian writer Kálmán Mikszáth.
Several notable Hungarians have roots in Northern Hungary, many from Miskolc. Lajos Kossuth—a nobleman, lawyer, journalist, politician, and statesman known for his role in the 1848 Hungarian Revolution—was born in the village of Monok, which lies within the region.
Transportation is well-connected. The M30 and M3 highways link Northern Hungary to the broader European highway network. InterCity trains run hourly to Budapest, and freight and
- GDP per capita (PPS)
- €13,700
- HDI
- 0.811
- Fertility rate (2009)
- 1.47 births/woman
- Unemployment rate (2009)
- 15.3%
- Life expectancy men (2009)
- 68.37 years
- Life expectancy women (2009)
- 76.70 years
Lore & Background
Northern Hungary has a long industrial history, particularly in Miskolc, where steelworking and machine industry sectors date back to the 18th century. The region is home to several notable castles, including the Castle of Eger, famous for its defense against Ottoman invaders in the 1552 Siege of Eger, and the Castle of Diósgyőr, the Castle of Füzér, and the Castle of Sárospatak. The Castle of Eger serves as the setting for Hungarian writer Géza Gárdonyi's novel Eclipse of the Crescent Moon.
The region is also the home of the Palóc people, who speak the Palóc dialect of Hungarian. Traditional Palóc architecture is exemplified by the town of Hollókő, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Balassagyarmat was once described by prominent Hungarian author Kálmán Mikszáth as the 'capital city of Palóc country.' Notable individuals from Northern Hungary include Lajos Kossuth, a Hungarian nobleman, lawyer, journalist, politician, and statesman involved in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, who was born in the village of Monok.
Reader's Guide
Northern Hungary is significant as a region with one of the lowest GDPs per capita and HDIs in Hungary, contrasting sharply with Central Hungary. Its economy has historically relied on industry, especially steelworking and machinery in Miskolc. The region boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst (a transboundary site with Slovakia), the town of Hollókő, and the Tokaj wine region, famous for Tokaji wine. Politically, Northern Hungary has been a Fidesz stronghold since the 2010 Hungarian parliamentary election, though the city of Miskolc's local assembly is controlled by an opposition coalition, and its mayor, Pál Veres, is an independent. The region's transportation includes M30 and M3 highways connected to the European network, hourly InterCity trains to Budapest, and local bus, tram, and railway systems in Miskolc. The legacy of Northern Hungary includes its role in Hungarian history, from the 1552 Siege of Eger to the birth of revolutionary leader Lajos Kossuth, and its preservation of Palóc culture and architecture.
Did You Know?
- Northern Hungary has one of the lowest GDPs per capita (PPS) in Hungary, at €13,700, compared to Central Hungary's €31,100.
- The Castle of Eger in Northern Hungary was famously defended against Ottoman invaders during the 1552 Siege of Eger.
- Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in Northern Hungary: the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, the town of Hollókő, and the Tokaj wine region.
- Lajos Kossuth, a key figure in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, was born in the village of Monok in Northern Hungary.
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