​Eger is one of the most beautiful towns of Hungary with lots of historic buildings. It lies in the valley of the Eger Stream, in the hill-country, which extends over the western foot of the Bükk Mountains.

 

Actually Eger's establishment coincides with the church - founding activity of our first king, Saint Stephen. He established here one of the ten bishoprics that were organised before 1009. This fact has been proven by different archaeological findings. During excavations the archaeologists have found human bones from the 9th century, a circular church and also the remains of a smaller palace. These excavations confirm that ancient folklore according to which our first king could watch the building process of Eger's cathedral from the hill which later became known as King's Seat.

In the history of Eger the 18th century was the period of development and prosperity. The bishops of Eger, out of special respect for Ferenc Barkóczy and Károly Eszterházy, created that baroque townscape which has been characteristic of Eger since that time. The Reform Age (1825-1848) left several lasting marks on the life of Eger, especially on its culture. Pyrker László János, the archbishop of that time founded a gallery which he donated to the Hungarian National Museum because the town did not guarantee an appropriate place for it.

At the beginning of the century, in 1904, the first independent theatre of stone was opened and the canalisation and the provision of public utilities began as well. In 1933 Eger was one of those towns that first got the permission for opening a spa.