Discover Boldogkőváralja: Castle, Garden and Nature

• The Boldogkőváraljai Tájház is a local history museum in Boldogkőváralja.
• The Péchy family laid out the castle garden of the Péchy-Zichy Castle from an old forest at the same time as the castle was built. It has features of both English and French garden design.
• The described route towards Regéc starts at Boldogkőváralja’s small railway halt.

The castle and garden were created at the same time: the Péchy family laid out the garden from an old forest while the castle was being built. Its design combines features of English and French garden design. The garden is therefore not merely a subject alongside the castle’s history; it also has its own story of creation, beginning with the construction of the castle.

For culture enthusiasts, Péchy-Zichy Castle offers two perspectives: its construction history and the garden’s design. Both English and French garden design are part of its described character, so the garden cannot be reduced to just one of these traditions.

On the route towards Regéc, the described path runs along the edge of orchards up to the ridge of Vám-kertek. From a stone cross, there are views of Boldogkő Castle, which stands on a hill. Boldogkőváralja’s small railway halt is the starting point of the route. The orchards, ridge and viewpoints give the route its own landscape character.

The park of Péchy-Zichy Castle offers a different connection with nature. Old, large trees and dense shrubs provide a habitat for a rich birdlife. Several fish species, as well as crayfish, smooth newts and mallards, live in the pond; the species composition may change over time. The nature theme therefore ranges from views across the landscape to habitats in the park.

Another cultural attraction in Boldogkőváralja is the Boldogkőváraljai Tájház, a local history museum. If you plan to include it in your itinerary, check current visiting arrangements before you go.

The wider destination of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén offers additional nature and culture experiences. The Baradla-Domica cave system is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the caves in the Aggtelek and Slovak Karst. The short Aggtelek Cave Tour is 1 kilometre long, takes 60 minutes and is rated easy. A nature trail also connects the Aggtelek and Jósvafő entrances to Baradla Cave and introduces the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

The Tokaj Wine Region is another defining feature of the wider region: it is legally protected as a wine-growing area. Its climate, soil quality and slope exposure are suitable for growing grapes. In Sárospatak, a cellar complex beneath the park of Rákóczi Castle is about 2,000 metres long and includes two wine-tasting rooms. These examples range from a protected wine landscape and cave experiences to underground wine culture.

As you plan your trip, you can use these different themes to narrow down your interests: the castle and garden in Boldogkőváralja sit alongside other nature and culture experiences in the wider destination of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén.

Discover more destinations: Abaújszántó, Arka, Vizsoly, Regéc, Göncruszka, Telkibánya, Abaújvár, Fony.

What is the Boldogkőváraljai Tájház?

It is a local history museum in Boldogkőváralja. Check current visiting arrangements before you go.

What characterises the garden of Péchy-Zichy Castle?

The Péchy family laid it out from an old forest at the same time as the castle was built. It has features of both English and French garden design.

What can you see on the route towards Regéc?

It starts at Boldogkőváralja’s small railway halt and runs along the edge of orchards up to the ridge of Vám-kertek. From a stone cross, you can see Boldogkő Castle on its hill.

What are the key details of the short Aggtelek Cave Tour?

In the wider destination of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, it is 1 kilometre long, takes 60 minutes and is rated easy.

View the overview of the wider destination: Abaúj–hegyközi.