Discover Szendrő: Observation Tower, Blue Dyeing and History
Accommodation in Szendrő
Szendrő offers various ways to explore the town’s history, natural environment and hands-on learning: from Felsővár to interactive exhibitions and the craft of blue dyeing. Some activities invite you to take part, while others connect historical objects with their stories. As you plan your trip, you can weigh up which themes you would like to shape your stay most.
Felsővár: Views and History
A 24-metre-high wooden tower, rebuilt in a stylised form, now serves as an observation tower on the site of the former powder tower at Felsővár in Szendrő. The ground-floor exhibition presents the results of the excavations. When visibility is good, the tower offers a 360-degree panorama of the town in the Bódva Valley.
The powder tower at Felsővár was destroyed in an explosion in 1699. In 1707, Prince II Rákóczi Ferenc ordered the castle’s destruction; it was carried out that same year. Today’s tower is a stylised reconstruction on the site of the former powder tower. The views and the archaeological exhibition offer different perspectives: from above, you can look out over the town; on the ground floor, the finds take centre stage.
Exhibitions to Explore and Try Out
Kincses Ház brings together themes of nature and architecture. Its permanent exhibition, titled “A Bódva Völgy Természeti Kincsei”, presents architectural heritage and the plant and animal life along the Bódva in an interactive way. It also features a short 3D film about the world of caves. Nature, the built environment and film offer different ways to engage with the exhibition themes.
At the Iskolatörténeti kiállítás, visitors can try out historical school equipment, write with a quill and ink, and read and do arithmetic using tools from the past. Its predecessor, the Oktatástörténeti Gyűjtemény, opened in Szendrő in 1982. Visits are seasonal; please get in touch in advance. Those interested in everyday history will find more than a collection here: they can also try out the writing, reading and arithmetic tools used in the past.
The Kékfestőház Múzeum displays historical equipment used in the craft of blue dyeing, which was widespread in Hungary. At the Kékfestő Műhely in the former Csáky Castle, you can get hands-on: visitors can decorate a partly prepared sachet made from modern blue-dyed fabric with printed patterns, fill it, scent it and sew it closed. The workshop is seasonal; please get in touch in advance. The museum and workshop have different focuses: the former showcases historical equipment, while at the latter you can make your own piece of printed fabric.
At the Szend-Erőd élménypark, visitors can try out historical duelling equipment and tackle an obstacle course that tests their skills. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit. The Tornamúzeum complements the sporting activities with a look at its collection: among the gymnastics equipment on display is a pommel horse. The museum closes seasonally; please get in touch in advance.
Other Traces of History
The Roman Catholic church in Szendrő was built in 1635 as the monastery church of the former Franciscan monastery. The enclosed and well-maintained Jewish cemetery is another notable place in the town; it currently contains 163 grave markers.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Szendrő, your preferred activities can help guide your choice. Those mainly interested in castle history and archaeological finds will find different points of interest from travellers who would rather make something themselves or try out historical school equipment. Kincses Ház offers another perspective, focusing on nature and architecture. Consider which of these themes should be the deciding factor for your stay.
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For the wider travel overview: Edelényi.
