Bózsva: Church, Rock and Lake

• The Reformed church was built in 1850–1852; its tower on the east façade was added in 1883.
• The first known church in Bózsva was a half-timbered church from the 18th century, with mud and adobe walls.
• Bózsvai-szikla, also called Béla-szikla and Bélakő, lies among the houses and rises above the Országos Kéktúra trail and Bózsva-patak stream.
• Carp, roach, grass carp, crucian carp and silver carp are listed as catchable species at Etelka boating and fishing lake.

Today’s Reformed church is small and has a Neoclassical character. Its construction history can be traced through two dates: the church building was built in 1850–1852, and the tower on its east façade was added in 1883. Bózsva already had a church in the 18th century; the first known one was built using half-timbering and had mud and adobe walls. This older construction method differs markedly from the later Neoclassical church.

The shape of the present building is also specifically described: its western end is trapezoidal. Inside, round-arch arcades beneath the tower support its weight. The church can therefore be understood not only through its construction dates, but also through its floor plan and interior structure.

Bózsvai-szikla—also called Béla-szikla or Bélakő—is a rock formation among the houses of Bózsva. It rises above the Országos Kéktúra trail and Bózsva-patak stream.

Etelka boating and fishing lake offers a different focus. Species listed as catchable there include carp, roach, grass carp, crucian carp and silver carp. The species list gives a concrete impression of the fish associated with the lake; it is also a subject in its own right, alongside the church and rock formation.

The wider destination of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén offers a range of themes beyond Bózsva’s local features. The Zemplén Protected Landscape Area is part of the Zemplén Mountains; the landscape there influences its plant and animal life. The Baradla-Domica cave system offers another nature-related attraction and belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Caves of the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst. The short Aggtelek cave tour is 1 kilometre long, takes 60 minutes and is rated easy. The destination thus offers different nature experiences side by side: Bózsva’s connections with rocks and streams, and a clearly timed cave tour elsewhere.

Wine-growing and built heritage are also regional highlights. The Tokaj wine region is legally protected as a wine-growing area; its climate, soil quality and slope exposure are suitable for growing grapes. In Sátoraljaújhely, the Ungvári cellar labyrinth connects at least 27 cellars and covers an area of 50,000 square metres. These examples complement Bózsva’s local themes with other interests in the wider destination, without equating them with its rock, church or lake.

Discover more destinations: Vilyvitány, Sátoraljaújhely, Vágáshuta, Füzérkomlós, Füzérkajata, Füzér, Hollóháza, Kishuta.

When was the Reformed church built?

The Reformed church in Bózsva was built in 1850–1852. Its tower on the east façade was added in 1883.

What names does the rock formation go by?

Bózsvai-szikla is also called Béla-szikla and Bélakő.

Which fish species are listed at Etelka Lake?

The species listed as catchable are carp, roach, grass carp, crucian carp and silver carp.

For the wider travel overview: Sátoraljaújhelyi.