Culture: Hollókö

Hollókö (Raven Rock) is a preserved Paloc village, and one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.

On the way there we saw a pottery studio, and started the process of collecting treasures from Hungary to take home. I bought a palinka bottle and cups, decorated with the fruits that palinka is usually made from (plum, apricot, cherry, and pear). The big disappointment will be that we won't be able to buy the palinka to fill the bottle once we're back in Georgia! I think there's a big import opportunity for an entrepreneur to introduce this wonderful brandy to our part of the world.

The first surprise in Hollókö was the size and the prominence of the vár (castle). The reconstruction is very well done, and the views are wonderful. Down below is the preserved village, preserved at least since the early 20th Century. There have been many fires and other disasters that have destroyed the town, but it has been rebuilt in an authentic manner. People live in the village, so it doesn't have the 'Disney' or museum aspect at all.


There are some people dressed in traditional Palocs clothing, and, of course, are asked to pose for many pictures. There was a wine festival going on on the day we were there, and many, but not too many, visitors.


The real highlight of the visit for me was found in a small shop that had BEAUTIFUL pottery. The quality was high, and the designs and colors excellent. It was hard to decide which pieces should be 'relocated' to Georgia, but I found several. Thank you, Hollókö (and I even learned to say the name somewhat properly!)

For more photos of Hollókö, see the Picasa slide show linked from the Fun: Auto Outing blog posted earlier.