Association of the castles of Northern Hungary
3996 Füzér, Rákóczi u. 2. | Phone: (06 47) 340 345

Chairman: János Perényi
Acting chairman: Jenő Horváth

The association was founded on 21 July, 2003 by the local governtments and trade associations, who are practising the ownership and management of the castles and also with the help of private individuals. The purpose of the association was at the time of it's foundation to represent and coordinate the interests of the legal and natural persons, managing the castles of Northen Hungary. In addition to it to give them professional assistance in conservation, professional restoration, maintenance, management and development of the castles, also establishing joint touristic and marketing activities, professional support of the utilization (exhibitions, events, etc.) of the castles and to take part in the scientific researches related to castles. Furthermore to set up and continously maintain a database, that contains the parameters and description of the castles in Northen-Hungary and to publish information about the activities and existence of these castles on a regular base.

The founding members of the association are the representatives of the following castles:
Boldogkőváralja, Hollókő, Kisnána, Ónod, Regéc, Cserépváralja, Sárospatak, Sirok, Szerencs, Tokaj, Diósgyőr, Eger, Füzér.

Additionally:
-  The North-Hungarian Regional Directorate
of The Treasury Property Directorate
-  Nógrád County Public Cultural and Tourism Institute, Salgótarján

Associated trade members:
-  Regional Area Development Association
of local governments District Eger
-  Northen-Hungarian Regional Marketing Directorate
of Hungarian Tourism Ltd.
-  Northen-Hungarian Regional Tourism Board

In 2004 the association won a tender from NKÖM, thanks to that now the member-castles are connected by a 'cultural road', called: 'On the road to Northen Castles'. Thanks to the tender's assistance the association's marketing plan had been developed, what contains the direction for the association's further operation, also a high-quality brochure had been published and the website had been designed. Experiences show that unified look/appearance and joint publications are neccessary, since then the number of visitors to the member-castles has been increased, the contact details, listed in the publication are real source of information and the announced programs are guaranteed.

Being stimulated by the success the association would like to make it's work more effective. The establishment of the 'Cultural Road' gives a good basis for research, conservation of national heritage, culture and art and student cultural and educational exchange programs. That's why a new study, concerning the possibilities of joining the European Cultural Road was developed by the association, which was based on the guidelines of the previous study.

The plans for 2006-2007 contain the beginning of the international development of the project 'On the road to Northen Castles' and organization of a trade conference. The association has contacts with several foreign partners, first of all with Slovakia and Ukraine. The association continues to act in the interest of streghtening the international relations, the integration of activities, by using synergy among them, supporting each other and the extension of the project 'On the road to Northen Castles' into European level. We believe that the joint participation within the frame of 'the Cultural Road' stimulates and helps the growth of the related services and the increase of not only the quantity but also the quality of the tourist attractions. The programs mainly relate to the heyday of the castle and its historical persons, the related events (eg. medieval playgroup, gastronomy, conservation of traditions) always organized in accordance with the given period. These ensure the family-friendly, interactive recreation with full of good experiences.