Restoration of Hollókő: Hungary’s Only World Heritage Village
Hollókő, a small village located in northern Hungary, has recently completed the renovation of its Old Village and now boasts a fresh new look. The area now includes a gastronomic experience center and unique interactive content available at the castle overlooking the village.
With the completion of this renovation, it is expected that the number of visitors could increase by approximately 30,000 a year within the course of a few years. This growth in tourism is an important lifeline for the village, as developments are expected to help reduce the seasonal attraction and allow for a more balanced tourist influx year-round.
The project received a grant of HUF 1.1 billion (EUR 2.8 million) from the Széchenyi 2020 program’s Economic Development and Innovation Operational Program (GINOP) tender.
Hollókő, constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries, is recognized for its well-preserved ethnographic village architecture. It offers a unique example of folk architecture in its original state, making it a historical gem in Hungary. The village, together with its surroundings, has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1987.
The project involved the development of a gastronomic experience hub located in the main street of the Old Village, hosting a Palóc gastronomic history exhibition area, cooking school, and support facilities. Additionally, improvements were made to conserve the castle, which included the addition of several interactive attractions. These include a guided tour of the entire castle area, a medieval escape room, and other newly added visitor experience features.
Furthermore, the project involved the extension of the Dr. Román András Visitor Center and the development of the Masina Restaurant and Millennium Memorial Park. These enhancements, along with the expansion of the car park, aimed to provide a more comprehensive experience for visitors to the area. The village itself remains an active community, and many of the buildings are still used for their original purposes.
Hollókő is the only village in Hungary that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is known for its traditional wooden architecture, building layout, farms, and orchards, and is celebrated for its preservation of traditional cultural values. Every autumn, the village hosts a harvest festival that showcases its living heritage.
The completion of the Old Village and castle renovations is an important milestone for Hollókő, offering new and unique experiences that are expected to attract more tourists and contribute to the economic development of the region.
