'''Salgotarjan''' is the county seat and largest city in Nograd county, Hungary. Once a small mining town, the city was built in a very modern communist style, leaving much to be desired in terms of classical architecture. Nevertheless, the city boasts two excellent castle ruins and several hiking opportunities through the forested Cserhat hills.

Get in

By train

The city is only accessible by train from Hatvan. Trains leave typically every other hour and take roughly an hour and fifteen minutes. Nearly all the trains are ''szemely'', or slow trains, and they will stop at every small town. Fortunately, the scenery and hills are quite lovely and the trip goes by quickly.

By car

From Budapest take the M3 to Hatvan. From there Salgotarjan is most easily reached by route #21. From Szecseny take route #22. From Slovakia take route #71 from Fil'akovo.

Get around

Counting the suburbs there are four '''train''' stations: ''Zagyvapalfalva'', ''Salgotarjan kuls?'', ''Salgotarjan'' (the main station), and ''Somosk?ujfalu''. For most tourist purposes the main station is the only one that stops downtown and the only one that matters. The Somosk?ujfalu station can be used to reach the castle ruins, but even then it's simply easier to take a bus from downtown.

The intercity '''bus station''' is also downtown, opposite the main train station. Nograd Volan [http://www.nogradvolan.hu/] provides local bus services throughout the town. Unless you have a whole day of hiking planned, this is the only way to get to the castle ruins. Bus #11A goes to the castle in Somosk? and bus #11B to the ruins to in Salgobanya. Both of these buses only run once an hour. If you want to visit both castles it gets tricky as you'll have to visit one, then backtrack to Ifjusag u. where you can catch the other bus.

'''Taxis''' are another option and you have to call in advance.

The downtown is incredibly compact and easy enough to get around by '''foot'''.

See

Museums

  • '''Nogradi Torteneti Muzeum Banyaszati Kiallitohelye''' [http://www.museum.hu/search/museum_en.asp?ID=486] (Mining Museum) on Zemlinszky Rezs? ut 1. is the first underground mining museum in the country and the second in all of Europe. There is an exhibit showing the history of mining in the region, from old times to present. The main attraction, however, is where they let you into actual sections of the mine and show some of the different equipment once used there.
  • '''Nogradi Torteneti Muzeum''' [http://www.museum.hu/search/museum_en.asp?ID=485] (Nograd History Museum) downtown on Muzeum ter 2. is the town's principal museum. The exhibits contain several items about the history of the county. There is a special exhibit on Janos Balazs, the Romany poet and painter who lived in the city.
  • Architecture

  • '''Plebaniatemplom''' (Cathedral) located opposite the County History Museum is the main church in the town.
  • Castle Ruins

  • '''Somosk? (?omo?ka) Castle''' (take bus #11A from downtown) in the suburb of Somosk? is the more restored of the two castles and has an awesome presence atop a 526 meter tall hill. One of the three original towers is restored. The castle lies on the slovak side, but it_Ls easily accesible from the hungarian village of Somosk? without need of passport control as both countries are part of EU-Schengen border system.
  • '''Salgoi Castle Ruins''' (take bus #11B from downtown) is in the suburb of Salgobanya. Though not as restored as the other castle, it provides excellent views of the region from its 625 meter perch.
  • Do

    Hiking

    From casual walks to more serious treks, from anywhere in the city you're never far from the hills.

  • '''Pipis hegy''' is the hill directly west of downtown. This quick and easy hike also features a '''Kalvaria''' (Calvary) monument.
  • '''Study Trail''' is a two kilometer long trail that leads to the Salgo castle ruins. Along the way signs explain the local flora, fauna, and geology.
  • Buy

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Salgo Hotel''' [http://www.salgohotel.hu] a two-star hotel at the foot of Salgo castle has several double rooms and a traditional Hungarian restaurant.
  • '''Medves Hotel''' [http://www.medves.hu] is also located in Salgobanya near the Salgo castle at the end of Medvesi ut.
  • '''Strand Hotel''' [http://www.odeonokok.hu] located in Kemping-telep (Camping district) can be reached taking bus #5, 36, 46, 61, or 63. The Hotel caters mostly to youth and student groups and is reasonably priced (currently 7000ft for two people, including breakfast). Nearby is a swimming lake, sport stadium, and of course hiking.
  • '''Galcsik Hotel''' [http://www.galcsikhotel.hu]
  • '''Attila Guesthouse''' [http://www.attilavendeghaz.fw.hu]
  • Get out

  • Fil'akovo and the rest of Slovakia are just across the border.
  • Hollok? is directly accessible by bus. It is a museum village with a castle and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Szecseny is a small town with a mansion, firetower, and a few museums.
  • Balassagyarmat is the former county seat and the Paloc capital of Hungary.