This is a selection of photographs that were taken in Hungary during the summer of 2006 in the country's Northern Uplands (Északi Felföld) on the slopes of the Bükk and Mátra mountains.
The tower at the Aladár Bitskey swimming pool
The Aladár Bitskey swimming pool was opened in 2000 and was designed by the prominent Hungarian architect Imre Makovecz. The cocooned clock tower is a prime example of his love of organic architecture, with the bold edges of the tower being shielded from the natural surroundings.
The Aladár Bitskey swimming pool was opened in 2000 and was designed by the prominent Hungarian architect Imre Makovecz. The cocooned clock tower is a prime example of his love of organic architecture, with the bold edges of the tower being shielded from the natural surroundings.
The foaming water of a fountain in Eger
The small park opposite the Aladár Bitskey pool and next to Eger's Thermal Baths contains a number of water features. This fountain is part of the main pool with an ever-changing pattern of water.
The small park opposite the Aladár Bitskey pool and next to Eger's Thermal Baths contains a number of water features. This fountain is part of the main pool with an ever-changing pattern of water.
A park opposite the Aladár Bitskey swimming pool
The small park opposite the Aladár Bitskey pool and next to Eger's Thermal Baths contains a number of water features. The Hotel Flora, renovated in 1999 can be seen in the background.
The small park opposite the Aladár Bitskey pool and next to Eger's Thermal Baths contains a number of water features. The Hotel Flora, renovated in 1999 can be seen in the background.
Communication: aerials at water works above Noszvaj
Situated in the southern slopes of the Bükk mountains and within the Bükk National Park is the small village of Noszvaj. The village has been part of the Eger Bishopric since 1248 and boasts a magnificent baroque castle.
Situated in the southern slopes of the Bükk mountains and within the Bükk National Park is the small village of Noszvaj. The village has been part of the Eger Bishopric since 1248 and boasts a magnificent baroque castle.
Wispy clouds follow the vines at Noszvaj
There are 17 main wine regions of Hungary. The Eger region is found in the southern slopes of the Bükk mountains and vineyards like these cover the landscape around Eger and the surrounding villages.
There are 17 main wine regions of Hungary. The Eger region is found in the southern slopes of the Bükk mountains and vineyards like these cover the landscape around Eger and the surrounding villages.
Hungary's greatest crop: the grape
Hungary produces many different verities of wine including Olasz Rizling from the Balaton region, Sporoni Kékfrankos from the Sporon region, Tokaji Aszú from the Tokaj region and the famous Egri Bikavér from the Eger region.
Hungary produces many different verities of wine including Olasz Rizling from the Balaton region, Sporoni Kékfrankos from the Sporon region, Tokaji Aszú from the Tokaj region and the famous Egri Bikavér from the Eger region.
Ancient twisted vines in the hills at Noszvaj
The many different varieties of grape vine require different methods of support. This is just one example found in the village of Noszvaj in the Eger wine region.
The many different varieties of grape vine require different methods of support. This is just one example found in the village of Noszvaj in the Eger wine region.
The green waters of the lake at the head of Szalajka Volgy
The narrow guage railway from the village to Szilvásvárad runs up the Szalajka valley past trout breeding pools and an open-air forestry museum to this lake at the head of the valley and the foot of Mount Istállóskő.
The narrow guage railway from the village to Szilvásvárad runs up the Szalajka valley past trout breeding pools and an open-air forestry museum to this lake at the head of the valley and the foot of Mount Istállóskő.
Shimmering water beyond the trees in Szalajka Volgy
From the head of the Szalajka valley a footpath leads into the heart of the Bükk mountains and their highest peak Mount Istállóskő. From the path you can look down and see the green water of the lake below.
From the head of the Szalajka valley a footpath leads into the heart of the Bükk mountains and their highest peak Mount Istállóskő. From the path you can look down and see the green water of the lake below.
A cross frames the sky on Mount Istállóskő
The Bükk mountains cover the area between the Tatra and Sajó rivers in northeastern Hungary and are a spur of the 1,500km long Carpathian mountain range that extends through eastern Europe. Standing at 959m, Mount Isállóskő is the highest peak in the Bükk.
The Bükk mountains cover the area between the Tatra and Sajó rivers in northeastern Hungary and are a spur of the 1,500km long Carpathian mountain range that extends through eastern Europe. Standing at 959m, Mount Isállóskő is the highest peak in the Bükk.
The bright sun penetrates the forest canopy
The Bükk mountains are formed from harsh and rugged geology but are nearly totally tree-covered. The predominant beech trees shade the ground and afford glimpses of the sun and blue sky beyond their canopy.
The Bükk mountains are formed from harsh and rugged geology but are nearly totally tree-covered. The predominant beech trees shade the ground and afford glimpses of the sun and blue sky beyond their canopy.
The lower slopes of the Bükk looking toward Szilvásvárad
The village of Szilvásvárad is located 25km north of Eger and has a population of approximately 1,900. At the mouth of the Szalajka valley, it is a popular tourist attraction as home of the famous white Lipizzaner horses.
The village of Szilvásvárad is located 25km north of Eger and has a population of approximately 1,900. At the mouth of the Szalajka valley, it is a popular tourist attraction as home of the famous white Lipizzaner horses.
The sun hits a fresh-water spring in Szalajka Volgy
There are many springs that rise in the Szalajka valley. Rain falling in the region will normally take 1-2 days to filter through the limestone rock before reaching the springs in the floor of the deep valley. The largest of the springs are the Szalajka and the Szikla.
There are many springs that rise in the Szalajka valley. Rain falling in the region will normally take 1-2 days to filter through the limestone rock before reaching the springs in the floor of the deep valley. The largest of the springs are the Szalajka and the Szikla.
Dobó fights the Turks before the Minorite Church
Standing on the edge of Eger's Dobó István tér is the Minorite Church. The church is considered as one of the finest baroque buildings in the world and was built in 1771.
Standing on the edge of Eger's Dobó István tér is the Minorite Church. The church is considered as one of the finest baroque buildings in the world and was built in 1771.
The grand façade of Eger's Basilica
Eger's neoclassical cathedral was designed by architect József Hild and was constructed between 1831 and 1836. Either side of the steps up to the columned entrance are statues of saints by the Italian sculptor Casagrande.
Eger's neoclassical cathedral was designed by architect József Hild and was constructed between 1831 and 1836. Either side of the steps up to the columned entrance are statues of saints by the Italian sculptor Casagrande.
Blue sky overt the vibrant Eger roofscape
The top of the astrological tower of the Lyceum affords stunning views of the roofscape of Eger. This view is looking north east over the Minorite Church and Eger castle to the hill of Nagy Eged in the distance.
The top of the astrological tower of the Lyceum affords stunning views of the roofscape of Eger. This view is looking north east over the Minorite Church and Eger castle to the hill of Nagy Eged in the distance.
Old and new: the TV towers on Kékestető
At a hight of 1014m, Kékestetö on Mt Kékes in the Mátra mountains is the highest point in Hungary. The peak is accessible by road and is home to a massive television transmitter which dwarfs its predecessor which is now the highest hotel in the country.
At a hight of 1014m, Kékestetö on Mt Kékes in the Mátra mountains is the highest point in Hungary. The peak is accessible by road and is home to a massive television transmitter which dwarfs its predecessor which is now the highest hotel in the country.
Looking out over the waters of Egerszalóki víztároló
Egerszalóki víztároló is a large reservoir near the village of Egerszalók. The village is famous for its open-air hot springs and can be found approximately 8km south of Eger.
Egerszalóki víztároló is a large reservoir near the village of Egerszalók. The village is famous for its open-air hot springs and can be found approximately 8km south of Eger.
Budapest's Chain Bridge over the Danube
Budapest's iconic Chain bridge over the river Danube links historic Buda with commercial Pest. The bridge, completed in 1894, was designed by the English engineer William Clark and was partially destroyed by the German army in WWII.
Budapest's iconic Chain bridge over the river Danube links historic Buda with commercial Pest. The bridge, completed in 1894, was designed by the English engineer William Clark and was partially destroyed by the German army in WWII.
The statue of St Stephen at the Fishermen's Bastion
The year 1000 saw the coronation of Hungary's first king, St Stephen, on August 20th and the official foundation of the Hungarian State. The crown of St Stephen can be seen in the Parliament building whilst his remains may be visited in the Basilica of St Stephen.
The year 1000 saw the coronation of Hungary's first king, St Stephen, on August 20th and the official foundation of the Hungarian State. The crown of St Stephen can be seen in the Parliament building whilst his remains may be visited in the Basilica of St Stephen.
The ruins of Sirok's 14th-century castle
Sitting atop of Castle Hill in the village of Sirok in the Tarna Valley are the ruins of Sirok Castle. Only a few of the castle's outer walls still remain.
Sitting atop of Castle Hill in the village of Sirok in the Tarna Valley are the ruins of Sirok Castle. Only a few of the castle's outer walls still remain.
The crumbling remains of the ancient castle at Sirok
Many rooms within the castle have been hewn out of the solid rock of Castle Hill. The hill is composed of a soft volcanic rock known as rhyolite-tuff which is common throughout the Mátre mountain range.
Many rooms within the castle have been hewn out of the solid rock of Castle Hill. The hill is composed of a soft volcanic rock known as rhyolite-tuff which is common throughout the Mátre mountain range.
István Dobó fights off the Turks in the centre of Dobó tér
1552 saw the Turkish attempt to take hold of Eger castle. A mere 2,000 Hungarian soldiers under the command of István Dobó fought off the invading force of over 100,000 Turks in a siege that lasted nearly one month.
1552 saw the Turkish attempt to take hold of Eger castle. A mere 2,000 Hungarian soldiers under the command of István Dobó fought off the invading force of over 100,000 Turks in a siege that lasted nearly one month.
Power of Hungary: pylons against a rich blue sky
Pylons located on a hill just outside Eger.
Pylons located on a hill just outside Eger.
The panoramic roofscape of Eger
The top of the astrological tower of the Lyceum affords stunning views of the roofscape of Eger. This view is looking north east over the Minorite Church and Eger castle to the hill of Nagy Eged in the distance.
The top of the astrological tower of the Lyceum affords stunning views of the roofscape of Eger. This view is looking north east over the Minorite Church and Eger castle to the hill of Nagy Eged in the distance.