Szilvásvárad is located in Heves County in the Belapatfalvi micro -region at the foot of the Bükk. The name of the small village, which is located about 345 meters above sea level, was given from the Slavic castles, it is now recognised as a well-known holiday resort. The Szalajka Valley in the settlement is part of the Bükk National Park, thus it was declared a nature conservation area. There are few settlements that, unlike its small size, ( the village has a population of about 1749 people ) preserve so many gifts to nature and the human spirit as Szilvasvarad.

Szilvásvárad has been inhabited since ancient times as evidenced by the Paleolithic Age finds in the Istalosko cave. Written records mention Warad as early as around 1300, but a Eleskovar was built much earlier. According to historical sources, our King Louis The Great also liked to stay here.

The main source of livelihoods for the population was the forest. In addition to forest work, potash cooking, iron- ore processing and tile production provided jobs for the people living here. Today tourism is the most significant occupational sector.

Visitors are free to enjoy the wonderful environment, fresh clean air, tranquility, the silence of the forests, the roar of the streams. The Szalajka Valley can be walked through (pedestrian walk), discover on bicycle or on a small railway in the Bükk National Park. You can see the trout lakes, the uniquely beautiful Veil Waterfall cascading over natural tufa formations, the Open -Air Forest Museum, the Forestry Museum, the Wildlife Park. Designated tourist routes lead nature lovers to the primeval forest, lookouts and cave.

Szilvásvárad gives home the world -famous Lipica stud. Viewing the tribal stall, the museum, the pasture stud is an unforgettable experience. In addition, the only Reformed round church in Hungary can be found here, as well as the Millennium Viewpoint at the end of the nature trail leading to Bükk, but there is also a prison museum and local history exhibition.

For lovers of recreational sports in winter there is a ski resort with a snow cannon, a ski lift, a snow-handling machine, but Hungary’s first adventure park also has a multitude of challenges, but also a peculiarity the country’s only one -pipe bobsleigh. Fans of extreme sports can indulge their passion in the same way as those who come to the village to ride a horse or drive a carriage, or just plan a pleasant bike tour around the area.

In addition to the natural beauty of the village we can get to know the Village’s historical past and culture on a couple of days of excursion. The settlement also serves with gastronomic miracles, just think of the trout, which is a majestic food either baked or smoked.