The number one place for wine tasting in Eger is the Valley of the Beautiful Woman, which is located 10-15 minutes walk from the city center.
Eger is famous for its fine wines and historical wine region. Perhaps fewer people know that the famous vineyard of Eger was introduced by Italian and Walloon settlers in the 1200s. According to legend, in 1552 the handful of Hungarian troops proved so effective against the thirtyfold outnumbered Turkish attack partly because the Hungarians drank the blood of the Bull, thus deterring the Turks who could not drink alcohol. In the 16th century, wine was already in full swing in Eger, and later the tax paid to the archdiocese, the tub, could also be reimbursed to the church in wine.
Eger cellars
There is not a single settlement in Hungary where there are as many underground cavities and cellars as in Eger. It is good to know that these cellars did not arise at the same time and for the same purpose. There were cellars that were dug out for storing wine, others for defensive purposes, but it is worth knowing that the buildings of the Baroque downtown were partly built of tuff stone extracted from underground. The cellar system under Eger is nearly 130 km long, the most beautifully located and atmospheric cellar row of the city is undoubtedly the Valley of the Beautiful Woman.
The legend of the Valley of the Beautiful Woman
The first archival record of mentioning the name of the Valley of the Beautiful Woman dates back to 1843. There are several stories about the origin of the name Valley. According to ethnographer Ferenc Bakó, the “Beautiful Woman” was one of the goddesses of the ancient religion, a figure similar to Venus, the goddess of love, to whom sacrifices were offered in this place. The farmers spoke of a famously beautiful woman who sold fine wines in one of the cellars. According to others, the Valley was named after the beautiful woman of a gentleman’s villa.
“Ganging” in the 19th century
The area of the Valley of the Beautiful Woman belonged to the bishop of Eger, so cellars could only be cut with the permission of the bishop. From 1774, landlords could also get land here and cut cellars, with the result that by 1781 there were already 32 wine cellars in the Valley.
The cellar owners soon developed a good habit of visiting each other’s cellars, tasting each other’s wines, that is, “banding” for several days. At such times, the women were not allowed to go down to the cellar, but could only bring their master good homemade sausages, fresh bread and bacon, so that they could continue their revelry.
Today, the Valley has more than 150 cellars, and its atmosphere and the quality of the wines available here have been praised by countless poets: Sándor Petőfi, Mihály Vörösmarty and Sándor Márai.
If you are in Eger, visit the Valley of the Beautiful Woman, find your favorite wine and indulge in the magic of the place. Because there is something quite elusive here, charm and serenity, which feeds on the past, the art of viticulture and winemaking and the humor of the local people.
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