View source for Eger

{{short description|City with county rights in Heves, Hungary}}
{{About|the Hungarian city|other uses|Eger (disambiguation)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=September 2011}}
{{Infobox settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement-->
| name               = Eger
| other_name  nickname: the hungarian Athens = 
| settlement_type    = [[Town with county rights|City with county rights]]
| official_name      = {{lang|hu|Eger Megyei Jogú Város}}
| image_skyline      = Eger montage.JPG
| image_caption      = Top left: Eger Minorite church. Top right: View of Eger from the castle. Bottom left: Egri Bazilika. Bottom right: Minaret Eger
| image_flag         = Flag of Eger.svg
| image_shield       = Blason ville hu EGER.svg
| subdivision_type   = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{HUN}}
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| pushpin_map        = Hungary Heves#Hungary
| pushpin_relief     = 
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| map                = <!--<div style="position: relative">[[File:HevesMegye.png|275px]]<div style="position: absolute; left: 165px; top: 44px">[[File:Red_Dot.gif]]</div></div>-->
| subdivision_type1  = [[Counties of Hungary|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Heves County|Heves]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Hungary|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Eger District|Eger]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Ákos Vágner]] ([[FIDESZ]])
| elevation_m        = 165
| area_total_km2     = 92.2
| population_total   = 53876<ref>[http://www.ksh.hu/apps/hntr.telepules?p_lang=EN&p_id=20491 Eger, KSH]</ref>
| population_rank    = [[List of cities and towns of Hungary|19th in Hungary]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = 2017
| population_density_km2 = auto
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Hungary|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 3300 – 3304
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Hungary|Area code]]
| area_code          = (+36) 36
| coordinates        = {{coord|47.89902|20.37470|region:HU|display=inline,title}}
| website            = {{URL|https://varos.eger.hu/}}
}}
'''Eger''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|ɛ|ɡ|ər}} {{respell|EG|ər}},<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Eger |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828121125/https://www.dictionary.com/ |archive-date=2022-08-28 |title=Eger |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|eɪ|ɡ|ər}} {{respell|AY|gər}};<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Eger|access-date=8 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Eger|access-date=8 September 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|hu|ˈɛɡɛr|lang|Hu-Eger.ogg}}; also known by other [[#Names and etymology|alternative names]]) is the county seat of [[Heves County]], and the second largest city in [[Northern Hungary]] (after [[Miskolc]]). A [[city with county rights]], Eger is best known for [[Castle of Eger|its medieval castle]], [[Turkish bath|thermal baths]], [[baroque]] buildings, the northernmost [[Eger minaret|Ottoman minaret]], and [[red wine]]s. Its population of around 53,000 (2017) makes it the 19th largest centre of population in [[Hungary]], according to the [[census]]. The town is located on the [[Eger Stream]] (a tributary of the [[Tisza]] river), on the hills between the [[Mátra]] and [[Bükk Mountains|Bükk mountains]]. The main campus of [[Eszterházy Károly Catholic University]] is in Eger.

==Names and etymology==
{{see also|Names of Eger in different languages}}
[[File:Eger G Hoefnagel.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Eger in [[Georg Braun]] and [[Frans Hogenberg]]'s [[Civitates orbis terrarum]] (1617)]]
The origin of its name is unknown. One suggestion is that the place was named after the [[alder]] ({{lang|hu|égerfa}} in [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]) which grew so abundantly along the banks of the [[Eger Stream]]. This explanation seems to be correct because the name of the town reflects its ancient natural environment, and also one of its most typical plants, the alder, large areas of which could be found everywhere on the marshy banks of the Stream although they have since disappeared. The [[German language|German]] name of the town: ''Erlau'', from ''Erlen-au'' ('elder grove'), also speaks in favour of this supposition. And there is another theory which says that Eger's name comes from the [[Latin]] word: ''ager'' ('field'). This theory comes from more recent researchers{{who|date=July 2015}} who think that during the 11th and 12th centuries settlers with a [[Wallonia|Walloon]] origin moved to this territory. 
The basin of Eger and the hilly region around it have always been very suitable for human settlements, and there are many archaeological findings from the early ages of history, which support this fact.

The other names of the town are in [[Latin language|Latin]] ''Agria'', in [[Serbian language|Serbian]] and [[Croatian language|Croatian]] ''Jegar'' / {{lang|sh-Cyrl|Јегар}} or ''Jegra'' / {{lang|sh-Cyrl|Јегра}}, in [[Czech language|Czech]] and [[Slovene language|Slovene]] ''Jager'', in [[Slovak language|Slovak]] ''Jáger'', in [[Polish language|Polish]] ''Eger'', and in [[Turkish language|Turkish]] ''Eğri''. Nickname: the Hungarian Athens

==Coat of arms==
[[File:Eger 16. század.jpg|Eger in the 16th century|thumb|left|250px]]
The shield of Eger developed from the shield of [[Bishop György Fenesy]] (1686–1689) after an agreement which was made with him in 1694. The bastion with the three gates on it refers to the existence of the fortress. The rampant unicorn between the two bastions on the side of the shield came from the bishop's shield. The sword in the fore-feet of the unicorn symbolises the manorial power of life and death. The snake twisting on the sword stands for the defeat of treachery and hatred by faith. The star and the sun symbolise the alternation of days and nights. And finally, the eagle with a gospel in its clutches refers to [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostle]] and [[evangelism|evangelist]] [[John the Evangelist|Saint John]] who is the patron saint of the [[Archdiocese of Eger]].

==History==
Eger has been inhabited since the Stone Age.

===Reign of Saint Stephen===
[[File:Eger castle - ruins of the romanesque basilica.JPG|thumb|left|250px|The ruins of the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] basilica in the [[Eger Castle]]]]

Today's Eger may have been formed in the 10th century by St. [[Stephen of Hungary|Stephen]] (997–1038), the first [[Christians|Christian]] king of Hungary, who founded an [[episcopal see]] in Eger.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Tayler |first=Nicholas Paul |date=2024 |title=Entangled Histories of Lotharingia, Medieval Hungary, and the vallis Agriensis: The Textual Evidence |journal=Annual of Medieval Studies at CEU |volume=30 |pages=91}}</ref> The first [[cathedral]] of Eger was built on Castle Hill, within the present site of Eger Castle. Eger grew around this cathedral, and remains an important religious centre in Hungary.

This settlement took up an important place among the Hungarian towns even in the early Middle Ages. The natural fundamentals of the surroundings (meeting of plains and hills) made it possible to establish economic and cultural relations between the different parts of the country.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, [[Wallonia|Walloon]] settlers came from the areas beyond the [[Rhine]].<ref name=":0" /> They settled with the kings' permission, bringing [[western culture]] to this region and acclimating the [[viticulture]]. The development of the town accelerated with their presence.

===Mongol invasion===

[[File:Eger castle (by Pudelek) 01.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The stone fortress was built at that time]]
This development was blocked for a short time by the [[First Mongol invasion of Hungary|Mongol invasion in 1241]], when the town was ransacked and burned down during the episcopacy of [[Cletus Bél]].

After the withdrawal of the [[Mongols]], Eger began to flourish all over again. [[Lampert Hont-Pázmány (bishop)|Lampert]], the bishop of Eger, received a permit from [[Béla IV]] for building a stone fortress. So the nearly destroyed town revived and reached the peak of its medieval development in the 14th and 15th centuries. During this period the forests which spread to the limits of the town were cleared for the most part, and vines were planted in their place. More and more town-houses were built in the settlement. Roads were constructed among which the ones in the inner town were narrow and twisting but those leading to the northern mining towns were wider. The various surrounding settlements such as [[Almagyar]] and [[Czigléd]] were built up along with Eger.

===Reign of King Matthias===
[[File:Eger Gergely Hippolyt.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[Hippolyt Gate]], one of the main entrances of the [[Eger Castle]]]]
[[File:Eger, gothic episcopla palace.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The gothic episcopal palace of the castle]]
During the reign of [[King Matthias]] (1458–1490), Eger began to develop again. The gothic-styled [[Bishops Palace of Eger]] which can be seen at the present time was reconstructed by the order of bishop [[János Bekensloer]]. Building operations continued during the bishoprics of [[Orbán Dóczy]] and [[Tamás Bakócz]]. The beginning of the reconstruction (in late gothic style) of the cathedral fort can also be linked to their names. After the death of [[King Matthias]], during the bishopric of [[Hyppolit]] the so-called [[Hyppolit Gate]] was built, this has recently been removed.

===The siege of Eger===

{{main|Siege of Eger (1552)|Siege of Eger (1596)}}

[[File:Wolf-Dietrich-Klebeband Städtebilder G 168 III.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Eger in [[Wolf-Dietrich-Klebeband Städtebilder]] (1568)]]
[[File:Székely, Bertalan - The Women of Eger - Google Art Project.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Bertalan Székely]]'s "Women of Eger" depicts the siege of 1552]]
After the [[Battle of Mohács]] (1526) a sorrowful period began in the history of Eger. During the dual kingship the town changed hands almost every year and the [[Ottoman army]] came closer as well. This circumstance provided the reason for reinforcing the fortress. In the autumn of 1552, Captain [[István Dobó]] and his handful of soldiers were successful in defending the fortress and northern [[Hungary]] from the expanding [[Turkish Empire]]. The first writer of note to draw on the story was the Hungarian renaissance poet and musician [[Sebestyén Tinódi Lantos]] ({{Circa|1510}}–1556), whose account may have come partly from eyewitnesses. [[Géza Gárdonyi]] wrote his novel, "[[Eclipse of the Crescent Moon]]" in remembrance of this battle, and his work has been translated into numerous languages.

Despite the fact that [[István Dobó]] and his soldiers successfully defended the fortress, it was destroyed during the siege, so it was essential to wholly rebuild it. The reconstruction process of the fortress took place between 1553 and 1596 and Italian artificer officers planned the renovations. The famous Hungarian poet, [[Bálint Balassi]] also served here for a few years beginning in April 1578.

===Ottoman rule===
[[File:Central europe 1683.png|thumb|left|200px|The [[Eğri Eyalet]] in the [[Ottoman Empire]] (1683)]]
[[File:Minaret - Eger, 2013.JPG|thumb|right|150px|[[Eger minaret|Eger Minaret]], remaining northernmost [[Ottoman architecture|Ottoman]] [[minaret]] in Europe.]]
While [[István Dobó]] and his soldiers managed to defend the fortress in 1552, in 1596 the captain at that time and the foreign mercenaries under his rule handed it over. This was the beginning of the 91-year-long [[Ottoman Empire|Turkish]] rule in Eger. The [[Eger minaret]], which was built at the end of the 17th century, preserves the memory of this period. Among all the buildings of this type, the [[Eger minaret|minaret of Eger]] is found in the northernmost point of the former [[Ottoman Empire]]. During the Turkish occupation Eger became the seat of a [[vilayet]] which is a Turkish domain including several [[sanjaks]]. Churches were converted into [[mosques]],{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} the castle rebuilt, and other structures erected, including public baths and [[minaret]]s.

The rule of the Turks in [[Central Hungary]] began to collapse after a failed [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] attempt to capture [[Vienna]]. The [[Vienna]]-based [[Habsburgs]], who controlled the rest of [[Hungary]], apart from [[Transylvania]], steadily expelled the Turks from the country. The [[castle of Eger]] was starved into surrender by the [[Holy League (Great Turkish war)|Holy League army]] led by [[Charles V, Duke of Lorrine]] in 1687, after the castle of [[Buda]] had been retaken in 1686. Eger was relieved from Turkish rule in December, 1687. Although the reoccupation was effected by a siege (which starved out the defenders) and not by a bombardment, the town fell into a very poor state. According to the ... records there were only 413 houses in the area within the town walls which were habitable and most of these were occupied by left over [[Turkish people|Turkish]] families.

===Habsburg rule===
[[File:Eger, Downtown.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Eger is famous for the narrow alleys in the old part of the inner town]]
[[File:Végess-Rózsa-ház (5586. számú műemlék).jpg|thumb|right|A house in the town centre]]
[[File:Eger Archiepiscopal Palace 02.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[Archiepiscopal Palace of Eger]]]]
[[File:Eger – Cistercian Church 01.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The [[Cistercian Church of Eger]]]]

After the expelling of the Turks, the town was considered by the imperial regiment as a demesne of the Crown. [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold I]] re-established Eger as a free royal borough in 1688, which meant that it was relieved from the ecclesiastic manorial burdens. This state lasted until 1695, when {{ill|Fenessy György|hu}}, the returning bishop, had the former legal status of a bishopric town restored by the monarch.

Eger soon began to prosper again. The town was reclaimed by its bishops, which caused many local [[Protestants]] to leave. Although the town supported the Hungarian leader Prince [[Francis II Rákóczi]] in the 1703–1711 war of independence against the [[Habsburgs]], the [[Hungarians]] were eventually defeated by the Imperial army. In 1709, [[Francis II Rákóczi]] and [[Ukranciev]], the legate of [[Peter the Great]], met here. It must be added that the legate died in Eger and was buried near the [[Serbian Church of Eger]]. Soon after that, the town was ravaged by plague. However, immigration into Eger was strong, and the population rose from 6000 to 10,000 between 1725 and 1750. [[Muslims]] were assimilated into the [[Christians|Christian]] population.

In the history of Eger, the 18th century was the period of development and prosperity. Many new buildings were built in [[Baroque]] and later in [[Rococo]] and [[Neoclassicism|Neoclassical]] style, including the cathedral, the [[Archiepiscopal Palace of Eger]], the [[County Hall of Eger]], the [[Eger Lyceum]] (now housing the [[Eszterházy College]] of Education) and several churches, while others were reclaimed from being mosques.

The building processes attracted many craftsman, merchants, and artists, including [[Kracker János Lukács]], [[Anton Maulberts]], {{ill|Franz Sigrist|de}}, {{ill|Josef Ignaz Gerl|hu}}, [[Jakab Fellner]], and [[Henrik Fasola]]. The town population grew suddenly. While in 1688 it was only 1200, in 1787 more than 17,000 people lived here. At this time, Eger was the 6th largest town of [[Hungary]] (based on the number of its inhabitants). Viticulture also reached its brightest period in these days. The wine-growing area was twelve times larger than it had been earlier.

The 18th century was also important because bishop [[Barkóczy]] and [[Eszterházy]] decided to found a university in Eger patterned after the ones in [[Nagyszombat]] and in [[Vienna]]. There were already precedents for this type of education because in 1700 [[Bishop István Telekessy]], who took sides with [[Ferenc Rákóczy the Second]], established a seminary in Eger. Then in 1740, [[Canon György Foglár]] founded a [[Faculty of Law]] and in 1754 [[bishop Barkóczy]] set up a school of philosophy. In the building which was marked out for the university we can find the [[Archdiocese's Library]] (the most beautiful baroque library in Hungary), and an astronomical museum with original equipment, which was the second museum of this type in [[Europe]]. Between 1946 and 1948 there were several more efforts to found a university in Eger all of which also ended in failure.

The 19th century began with disasters: a fire that destroyed half the town in 1800, and a collapse of the south wall of the Castle in 1801, which ruined several houses. Eger became the seat of an [[archbishopric]] in 1804, and the church remained in firm control of the town, despite efforts by its citizens to obtain greater freedom. In 1827, much of the town centre was damaged by fire again, and four years later over 200 were killed in an outbreak of cholera.

In 1804, a significant change occurred in the organisation of Eger's bishopric. The monarch made this town a centre of archbisphoric, but the bishoprics of Szatmár and Kassa separated from it.

===The Period of Reforms===
The [[History of Hungary#Period of Reforms (1825–1848)|Period of Reforms]] (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. It was [[Pyrker]]'s present which served as a base for the collection of the [[Museum of Fine Arts (Budapest)|Museum of Fine Arts]] that was opened in 1900. In 1828 [[Pyrker]] established the first Hungarian teachers training college in Eger and he was the one who ordered the construction of the basilica which was built in neo-classical style, in accordance with the plans of [[József Hild]]. On the basis of its size, this basilica is the second among the churches of [[Hungary]]. In 1837, [[János Joó]], an art teacher, began to edit [[Hungary]]'s first technical journal with the title "Héti Lapok".
[[File:Medve Imre Az ivó.jpg|thumb|Traditional clothing of the citizens of Eger, 1846]]

===Revolution and War of Independence===
The inhabitants of Eger took an active part in the [[revolution in 1848]]. Even though the revolution was suppressed, the age of landowners and serfs had gone forever, and the municipality gained freedom from the rule of the archbishop in 1854.

===Age of the monarchy===
The main railway line between [[Miskolc]] and [[Pest, Hungary|Pest]] bypassed the town, which was only reached later by a branch line from [[Füzesabony]]. Unfortunately (unlike other towns) Eger's civil development did not become faster, as distinguished from other towns, after 1849 and the Compromise of 1867. Industrial development was represented only by the mill, the tobacco factory and the sheet-iron works that were founded in the Reform Age.

During the decades after the turn of the century, the character of a school-town was dominant in Eger. Because of its schools and other cultural institutions, it became known as the Hungarian [[Athens]].

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.

===20th century===
[[File:Szenátor-ház (5483. számú műemlék).jpg|thumb|right|250px|A restaurant in Eger]]
Economic recovery was slow after [[World War I]], although the 1899 publication of Gárdonyi's "Eclipse of the Crescent Moon" made Eger popular as a tourist attraction and archaeological excavation of the castle resumed.

In 1933, Eger was one of those towns that first got the permission for opening a spa.

In 1910, 2,674 Jews lived in the village but in 1944 the Jewish community was murdered by Hungarians and Germans during the [[Holocaust]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/Eger/|title=Eger (Erlau), Hungary KehilaLink|first=Agnes (SZEGO) ORBAN|last=Ph.D.|website=kehilalinks.jewishgen.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://heves.zsidomult.hu/index.php/elveszett-koezoessegek/varosok-es-vm-oesszesen/eger |title=Eger  |access-date=2016-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203180010/http://heves.zsidomult.hu/index.php/elveszett-koezoessegek/varosok-es-vm-oesszesen/eger |archive-date=2016-02-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yadvashem.org/yv/he/research/ghettos_encyclopedia/ghetto_details.asp?cid=12 |title=Book listing |website=www.yadvashem.org |format=PDF}}</ref>

In [[World War II]], the city suffered under the retreating [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] and the arriving [[Soviet army]], but it managed to escape major bombardment.

In the decades after 1945, industrialization of the town commenced because of the change of regime. As a consequence, Eger's former character of a cultural centre began to fade, which diminished the patina of the settlement.

It was of great fortune that in 1968 the baroque inner city was preserved. It was saved from the deterioration (and from the construction of unsuitable, modern buildings).

[[File:Eger – Sándor Bródy Birthplace 01.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The birthplace of [[Sándor Bródy (writer)|Sándor Bródy]] in Eger]]

Eger is famous for its wines, most notably the "Egri Bikavér" (Bull's Blood of Eger). It is also well known for "Egri Víz", a type of brandy which originated in the 18th century, the "bujavászon" (a special Turkish tissue), as well as its thermal baths. 
Today, Eger is a prosperous town and popular tourist destination with a charming Baroque town centre.

==Ecclesiastical history==
[[File:EgerMinoriteChurch.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The minorite church of Eger]]
Eger is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[Archdiocese of Eger]], an [[ecclesiastical province]] of [[Hungary]] founded as a bishopric in 1009 and made a Metropolitan archdiocese in 1804, by [[Pope Pius VII]]. The current archbishop-elect, [[Archbishop Csaba Ternyak]], was previously [[Secretary for the Congregation For Clergy]]. He succeeds [[Archbishop István Seregely]], who retired because of age. The constituent dioceses of the province were [[Košice]] (Kassa, Kaschau), [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rožňava|Rožňava]] (Rozsnyó, Rosenau, now part of Slovakia), [[Szatmár]], and [[Szepes]] (Zipo, Zipsen).

==Geography==
===Climate===
Eger has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfb'') closely bordering on an [[oceanic climate]] (''Cfb'') or [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa''). The annual average temperature of Eger is {{Convert|10.8|C}}, and the warmest July has an average temperature of {{Convert|21.6|C}}, while January is the only month below freezing, with an average temperature of {{Convert|-0.8|C}}.<ref name=NOAA9120r/> The annual precipitation is {{Convert|583.4|mm}}, of which January is the month with the least precipitation at {{Convert|25.7|mm}}, while July is the month with the most precipitation at {{Convert|82.9|mm}}. Temperature extremes ranged from {{Convert|-18.3|C}} on January 13, 2003, to {{Convert|38.6|C}} on July 20, 2007.<ref name=NOAA9120r/>
{{Weather box
|location = Eger, 1991−2020 normals<!--, extremes 1997−present-->
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan record high C = 15.3
|Feb record high C = 18.2
|Mar record high C = 23.2
|Apr record high C = 29.7
|May record high C = 32.1
|Jun record high C = 36.5
|Jul record high C = 38.6
|Aug record high C = 37.4
|Sep record high C = 34.0
|Oct record high C = 27.0
|Nov record high C = 22.3
|Dec record high C = 13.8
|year record high C = 38.6
|Jan high C = 2.4
|Feb high C = 5.3
|Mar high C = 10.8
|Apr high C = 17.2
|May high C = 21.9
|Jun high C = 25.4
|Jul high C = 27.6
|Aug high C = 27.7
|Sep high C = 22.1
|Oct high C = 15.9
|Nov high C = 9.0
|Dec high C = 2.8
|year high C = 15.7
|Jan mean C= -0.8
|Feb mean C= 1.2
|Mar mean C= 5.9
|Apr mean C= 11.7
|May mean C= 16.0
|Jun mean C= 19.7
|Jul mean C= 21.6
|Aug mean C= 21.5
|Sep mean C= 16.4
|Oct mean C= 10.9
|Nov mean C= 5.5
|Dec mean C= 0.0
|year mean C= 10.8
|Jan low C = -3.5
|Feb low C = -2.2
|Mar low C = 1.5
|Apr low C = 6.5
|May low C = 10.8
|Jun low C = 14.1
|Jul low C = 15.8
|Aug low C = 15.7
|Sep low C = 11.6
|Oct low C = 6.7
|Nov low C = 2.5
|Dec low C = -2.5
|year low C = 6.4
|Jan record low C = -18.3
|Feb record low C = -17.9
|Mar record low C = -12.1
|Apr record low C = -4.2
|May record low C = -0.8
|Jun record low C = 4.7
|Jul record low C = 5.9
|Aug record low C = 5.7
|Sep record low C = 2.2
|Oct record low C = -7.7
|Nov record low C = -11.9
|Dec record low C = -17.2
|year record low C = -18.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 25.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 30.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 27.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 42.5
|May precipitation mm = 63.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 70.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 82.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 64.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 48.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 46.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 43.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 36.5
|year precipitation mm = 583.4
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 5.7
|Feb precipitation days = 5.9
|Mar precipitation days = 5.9
|Apr precipitation days = 6.8
|May precipitation days = 9.0
|Jun precipitation days = 8.3
|Jul precipitation days = 8.5
|Aug precipitation days = 6.7
|Sep precipitation days = 6.0
|Oct precipitation days = 6.1
|Nov precipitation days = 6.8
|Dec precipitation days = 7.0
|year precipitation days = 82.7
|Jan humidity = 82.1
|Feb humidity = 75.2
|Mar humidity = 63.4
|Apr humidity = 58.4
|May humidity = 63.8
|Jun humidity = 64.4
|Jul humidity = 63.5
|Aug humidity = 62.3
|Sep humidity = 67.6
|Oct humidity = 74.0
|Nov humidity = 80.0
|Dec humidity = 83.4
|year humidity = 69.8
|Jan sun = 71.9
|Feb sun = 93.9
|Mar sun = 162.6
|Apr sun = 208.0
|May sun = 255.3
|Jun sun = 256.4
|Jul sun = 282.2
|Aug sun = 268.8
|Sep sun = 184.2
|Oct sun = 147.6
|Nov sun = 83.3
|Dec sun = 57.0
|year sun = 2071.2
|source 1 = OMSZ (sun 1991-2020)<ref name=OMSZ>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.met.hu/eghajlat/magyarorszag_eghajlata/eghajlati_adatsorok/
|publisher = Hungarian Meteorological Service
|title = Éghajlati adatsorok 1901–2020
|access-date = August 21, 2023
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230821001255/https://www.met.hu/eghajlat/magyarorszag_eghajlata/eghajlati_adatsorok/
|archive-date = 2023-08-21
}}</ref>
|source 2 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA9120r>{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Hungary/CSV/Eger_12870.csv
|title = Eger Climate Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
|access-date = August 21, 2023
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230821001524/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Hungary/CSV/Eger_12870.csv
|archive-date = 2023-08-21}}</ref>}}

==Wine==
[[File:Eger-Vinyard.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A vineyard in Eger]]
Beside its historic sights and its thermal baths, Eger is famous for its [[Eger wine region|wines]]. It produces both red and white wines of high quality. The famous and traditional varieties of the region are [[Egri Leányka]], [[Egerszóláti Olaszrizling]], [[Debrői Hárslevelű]] (whites), and [[Egri Bikavér]] (a red). More recently, [[Chardonnay]] and [[Pinot noir]] wines have appeared. The region's wines are said to bear a resemblance to those of [[Burgundy (region)|Burgundy]]. Although the quality of the wines deteriorated in the second half of the 20th century, especially the cuvees, Eger is slowly recovering its reputation as a wine region. The most important terroir of the [[Eger wine region|Eger Wine Region]] is the [[Nagy-Eged Hill]], which is a Grand Cru terroir, where premium Grand Superior wines are produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://egriborvidek.hu/en|title=The Eger Wine Region}}</ref>

==Tourism==
The majority of visitors come for a single day (mostly from [[Slovakia]]), not staying overnight. [[Ukrainians]] and [[Russians]] frequent the [[Eger Castle]], along with many [[Italians]]. Around the town, one may encounter many [[German-speaking]] travelers ([[Germans]], [[Austrians]], and [[Swiss people|Swiss]]) as well. However, the town is getting more popular for Turkish tourists, because of the common historical memories.
Eger is mainly known for its castle, thermal baths (including an Olympic size swimming pool), historic buildings (including [[Eger minaret]] - the northernmost Turkish [[minaret]]) and, above all else, its famous [[Hungary|Hungarian]] [[red wine]]s.

==Transport==

===Rail===
[[File:Bus line 5 Eger.jpg|thumb|ARC bus on Line 5]]
The main railway station is located 1.5&nbsp;km from the town centre. [[MÁV]] operates interregio train services to [[Budapest]], and the trip is about 1{{fraction|1|2}} hours. Local trains to [[Füzesabony]] and [[Szilvásvárad]] also depart from this station.
[[File:Eger vasútállomás.JPG|thumb|Eger Railway Station]]
There are also smaller stations located near the [[Castle of Eger|castle]] and in the Felnémet district that are served by the Eger–Szilvásvárad local trains.

===Coach===
The bus station is located close to the basilica. Buses depart approx. every 30 minutes to [[Budapest]], and the trip to the capital is about 2 hours. Volánbusz operates an extensive network of suburban and long-distance buses. Other bus companies also offer connections to a variety of destinations. Taking the bus to [[Felsőtárkány]] gets you close to several hiking and mountain biking trails.

===Local bus===
Volánbusz also operates a fleet of local buses, serving most parts of the town, although the majority of buses run in a north–south direction. Line 12 is the busiest line in the town, and it has stops at the railway station, the bus station and in the town centre.

==Culture==
[[File:Eger – Géza Gárdonyi Theater 01.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The [[Géza Gárdonyi Theater]] was named after the author of the [[Siege of Eger (1552)]], [[Géza Gárdonyi]]]]

==Districts==
[[File:Megyeszékhely - Heves megye - Eger.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Aerial photography of the Castle and a part of the Downtown, Tetemvár, Almagyar and Cifra hóstya.]]
[[File:IMG 0478 - Hungary, Eger - Citadel.JPG|200px|thumb|right|The ruins of the medieval cathedral]]
(''Note: Most of these districts are historical, but they often appear on maps and street signs.'')
[[File:Bitskey Aladár uszoda.jpg|thumb|200px|The new swimming pool. (Architect: [[Imre Makovecz]])]]
* '''Almagyar''' – This hill in the eastern part of the town is one of the smart areas of Eger, near the castle. The streets are steep, but there are fine views. The southern part contains some of the buildings (campus and dormitories) of Eszterházy College.
* '''Almár''' – The northernmost part of the town, it consists mainly of weekend cottages and plots for gardeners.
* '''Belváros''' (town centre) – The centre of Eger is often called "the Baroque Pearl of Europe". Here are located Dobó tér, the main square of the historical town, surrounded by Baroque houses and St. Anthony's Church. Other historic buildings nearby include the Cathedral and the Lyceum.
* '''Berva ''' is now a housing estate about 2&nbsp;km to the NW of Eger. Founded in 1951, it was a huge industrial park by the name of Finomszerelvénygyár, privatized in 1992.
* '''[[Castle of Eger]]''' – The oldest and most famous part of Eger.
* '''Cifra hóstya ''' – North of the centre, this part of town is full of small houses and narrow streets. You can find the Firefighters' Museum there.
* '''Csákó''' – a suburban area with larger houses, east of the railway station.
* ''' [[Érsekkert]] '''(Bishop's Garden) – The largest park in Eger, with sport facilities, a small lake, and a fountain.
* '''[[Felnémet]]''' – This village, north of the town, was annexed to Eger in 1961 but still has a rural character. The parish church (1715–1750s, designed by Gianni Battista Carlone, an Italian who settled in Eger) was started by Bishop Gábor Antal Erdődy as a votive church after an outbreak of bubonic plague in 1710, and completed by his successor. It was dedicated to [[Saint Rosalia|St. Rosalia]], a guardian against plague.
* '''Felsőváros''' (Upper Town), formerly Csebokszári ([[Cheboksary]] – capital town of [[Chuvash Republic]], [[Russia]]) – The largest housing estate of Eger, it is full of four and ten-storied concrete buildings, providing homes for one third of the town's population. There are three high schools there.
* ''' Hajdúhegy''' – a suburban area similar to Almagyar across the valley with downtown being in between these 2 hills.
* '''Hatvani hóstya''' – The district is split by Highway 25. It contains the stadium and the Reformed church.
* '''Industrial zone''' – Several multinational companies have moved into this area east of Lajosváros.
* '''Károlyváros '''(Charles Town) – One of the largest districts of Eger, Károlyváros is west of downtown. It contains the High School for the Health Professions, and the Agria Park Shopping Mall.
* '''Lajosváros '''(Louis Town) – This district in the southern part of the town has several high schools and student hostels. It consists mainly of detached houses. Also called Kanada.
* '''Maklári hóstya, Tihamér''' – This district is one of the fastest developing parts of the town. It contains public swimming pools (designed by [[Imre Makovecz]]).
* '''Pásztorvölgy''' – A suburban area in Felnémet. Also has a high school.
* '''Rác hóstya''' – Another suburban area west from Upper Town.
* '''Szépasszonyvölgy '''("Valley of the Beautiful Woman") – An area of Eger famous for its red wines (Bikaver or Bulls Blood) and known for its wine cellars.
* '''Tetemvár''' – Another suburban area. The name ("Corpses' Castle") derives from the legend that Turkish war dead were buried here in 1552.
* '''Vécseyvölgy''' – A suburban area with a small airfield for sports purposes.

==Main sights==
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}

* The [[Castle of Eger]], noted for its successful defence against the 1552 Ottoman invasion.
* The 17th-century [[Eger minaret]]. The northernmost Turkish minaret in Europe is 40 meters high and one of only three survivors in Hungary. It can be climbed for a good view of the town centre.
* The system of cellars near the cathedral, called the ''Város a város alatt'' (literally "Town under the town").
* Dobó tér. The Baroque Minorite Church (1758–67), built to the designs of [[Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer]] of Prague with original ceiling frescoes by Márton Reindl, is the focal point of the town's most imposing square, flanked by the Town Hall and the old priory buildings, part of which contain the [[Palóc]] Museum, showing the artefacts of a distinctive regional ethnic community. The square and several of the retail streets around it are pedestrianized.
* The Lyceum ([[Eszterházy College]]), designed by József Gerl and Jakab Fellner and built in 1765–85, is a splendid example of the restrained Zopf style. There are three remarkable 18th-century frescoed ceilings, of which only the one in the library is open to the public. Painted by the Viennese artist Johann Lukas Kracker in 1778, it depicts the Council of Trent of 1545–63, which launched the Counter-Reformation. Among the figures depicted are the Reformers Luther and Zwingli, whose "heretical" books are being struck by a bolt of lightning. After the death of Kracker in 1779, Esterházy commissioned the Austrian Franz Sigrist (1727–1803) to complete the painting programme. Sigrist painted the ceiling in the Great Hall of the west bay representing the four university faculties (1781–1782). The beautifully furnished library opened in 1793. There is a camera obscura or periscope at the top of the building, projecting images of the town onto a table.
* The Turkish Bath, commissioned by [[Abdi Pasha the Albanian]] 
* The Provost Minor's Palace, 1758, is the finest Rococo building in the town. It also has a fine fresco by Kracker ("The Triumph of Virtue over Sin"), other 18th-century murals, and remarkable 18th-century wrought ironwork.
* The [[Archbishop's Garden]]
* The Fazola gates, late Baroque wrought ironwork by Henrik Fazola
* The Archbishop's Palace,  a 15th-century Gothic palace
*The [[Egri Road Beatles Múzeum]] was established in Hotel Korona, in the heart of the historic town of Eger. Guests can get a glimpse of the life and career of the band and its members in the frames of a professional guided tour, which provides an experience supported by up-to-date technical solutions. Films and contemporary newsreels are played on screens and the songs of the band can be listened to through headphones, whereas contemporary media publications, garments, models and limited edition rarities are displayed in the showcases. The monumental show of the Sgt. Pepper album, various games and photo-taking activities take the visitors back to the legendary sixties.
* ''Szépasszonyvölgy'' ("The Valley of the Beautiful Woman"). A valley on the southern edge of Eger which has numerous wine cellars, many with their own wine bar catering to tourists. A tram shuttles tourists to/from Dobó tér in the summer months.

===Churches===
Eger has 17 churches, but the notable ones include:
* The cathedral or basilica, built in 1831–37 to Classicist designs by József Hild, contains some remarkable painting and sculpture. Late morning organ recitals are held frequently.
* The [[Minorite Church (Eger)|Minorite Church]], 18th-century Baroque church
* The [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbian Orthodox]] [[Church of St. Nicholas, Eger|Church of St. Nicholas]] ''(Rác-templom)'' is in Zopf style (1784–86). The interior was commissioned from Viennese artists by the rich local Serbian community of that time. It is dominated by an [[iconostasis]].
* St Bernard Cistercian Church, 18th-century Baroque church

==Population==
{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote =
|1787 | 16852
|1850 | 16858
|1870 | 19150
|1891 | 22427
|1900 | 25893
|1910 | 28052
|1920 | 28753
|1930 | 30424
|1941 | 32482
|1949 | 31844
|1960 | 38610
|1970 | 47960
|1980 | 60897
|1990 | 61576
|2001 | 58331
|2011 | 56569
|2022 | 49113
}}

==Politics==
The current mayor of Eger is [[Ádám Mirkóczki]] (Egységben a Városért Egyesület).

The local Municipal Assembly, elected at the [[2019 Hungarian local elections|2019 local government elections]], is made up of 18 members (1 Mayor, 12 Individual constituencies MEPs and 5 Compensation List MEPs) divided into this political parties and alliances:<ref>{{cite web|title=Városi közgyűlés tagjai 2019-2024 - Eger (Heves megye)|url=https://www.valasztas.hu/telepules-adatlap_onk2019?_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_formDate=32503680000000&p_p_id=onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=5&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpVlId=294&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpVltId=687&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpMegyeKod=10&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpTelepulesKod=025&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_settlement=eger|agency=valasztas.hu|access-date=2019-11-24}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#ccc" colspan="2" | Party
! style="background:#ccc" | Seats
! style="background:#ccc" colspan="10" | Current Municipal Assembly
|-
| style="background-color: #191970  | &nbsp;
| Unity for the City{{efn|name=opposition|Supported by Opposition coalition.}}
| style="text-align: right" | '''10'''
|style="background-color: #191970 |<span style="color:white;">'''M'''</span>
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: #191970 | &nbsp;
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Fidesz}}  | &nbsp;
|[[Fidesz]]-[[Christian Democratic People's Party (Hungary)|KDNP]]
| style="text-align: right" | '''6'''
|style="background-color: {{party color|Fidesz}} | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: {{party color|Fidesz}} | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: {{party color|Fidesz}} | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: {{party color|Fidesz}} | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: {{party color|Fidesz}} | &nbsp;
|style="background-color: {{party color|Fidesz}} | &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
| style="background-color: #0000FF  | &nbsp;
| City Guards Eger
| style="text-align: right" | '''1'''
|style="background-color: #0000FF | &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
| style="background-color: #568203  | &nbsp;
| [[Our Homeland Movement]]
| style="text-align: right" | '''1'''
|style="background-color: #568203 | &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|}

==International relations==
[[Turkey]] has a [[honorary consulate]] in the city.<ref>{{cite web |last1=H. |first1=M. |title=Egerben nyílt az első tiszteletbeli török főkonzulátus |url=https://www.heol.hu/kozelet/helyi-kozelet/egerben-nyilt-az-elso-tiszteletbeli-torok-fokonzulatus-2231316/ |website=heol.hu |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref>

===Twin towns – sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Hungary}}
Eger is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Testvérvárosok|url=https://www.eger.hu/hu/hirek/vezeto-hirek/c/eger-jeriko-testvervarosa|website=eger.hu|publisher=Eger|language=hu|date=2019-04-02|access-date=2021-04-07}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Cheboksary]], Russia
*{{flagicon|SVK}} [[Dolný Kubín]], Slovakia
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Esslingen am Neckar]], Germany
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Gheorgheni]], Romania
*{{flagicon|PSE}} [[Jericho]], Palestine
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Kutná Hora]], Czech Republic
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Mâcon]], France
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Mukachevo]], Ukraine
*{{flagicon|KOS}} [[Peja]], Kosovo
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Pori]], Finland
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Przemyśl]], Poland
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Sarzana]], Italy
{{div col end}}

== Notable people ==
* [[Aaron Wise]], rabbi and father of [[Stephen Samuel Wise]]
* [[Péter Ács]], chess grandmaster
* [[Therese Benedek]], Hungarian-American psychoanalyst
* [[Aladár Bitskey]], swimmer and trainer
* [[Balázs Erdélyi]], water polo player
* [[Eva Erdelyi]], swimmer
* [[Géza Gárdonyi]], historical novelist
* [[Anna Gyarmati]], snowboarder
* [[Morris Koenig]], Hungarian-American lawyer and judge 
* [[Kati Kovács]], pop-rock singer
* [[Klaudia Kovacs]], film and theatre director
* [[Norbert Madaras]], water polo player, Olympic winner
* [[Shimon Sofer (Hungarian rabbi)|Shimon Sofer]], [[Rav]] of Eger
* [[Yochanan Sofer]], [[Erlau (Hasidic dynasty)|Erlauer]] [[Rebbe]]
* [[Réka Szemerkényi]], Ambassador to the United States
* [[Gergő Zalánki]], water polo player
* [[Balázs Holló]], Hungarian [[Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Olympic]] swimmer

==See also==
*[[Stars of Eger (1968 film)]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
[[File:Sághy-Steinhauser-ház (5465. számú műemlék) 2.jpg|thumb|250px|The house of the Sághy-Steinhauser family]]
{{Reflist}}

;Attribution
* {{Catholic|wstitle=Agria}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Eger (Hungary)|Eger}}
*{{Official website|http://www.eger.hu}} in Hungarian, English, German and Polish
*[http://www.ieger.com/ The Complete Guide to Eger] Sightseeing, accommodation, activities and wine tourism in the Eger area {{in lang|en}}
*[http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/02-03/intoxicating-eger-eger-hungary.html A modern traveller's account of his visit to Eger]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131013124140/http://www.ektf.hu/ Eszterházy College] Eszterházy College {{in lang|hu|en}}
*[http://www.egervaros.hu/ Egervaros.hu]
*[http://www.civertan.hu/legifoto/legifoto.php?page_level=146 Aerial photography: Eger]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061012201831/http://www.brody.iif.hu/kepesl/index.htm Eger and its surroundings on old postcards] (collection of the municipal library)
*[http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Eger/ Eger – ShtetLink]
*[http://en.funiq.hu/eger Eger at funiq.hu]

{{Eger District}}
{{Heves}}
{{Regional capitals of Hungary}}
{{Principal cities of Hungary}}
{{Cities with county rights (Hungary)}}
{{Hungary's most flowery settlements}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Eger| ]]
[[Category:County seats in Hungary]]
[[Category:Cities with county rights of Hungary]]
[[Category:Populated places in Heves County]]