Eger, lying in the Eger valley on the southern slopes of the Bükk Mountains, is the gateway to northern Hungary and one of the most beautiful Baroque towns in the whole of the country. The radioactive springs to the southeast of the Old Town were known and highly valued during the time of the Turkish
occupation. As the regional capital and home to a number of schools and a teacher training college, Eger makes an important contribution to the administrative and educational needs of the surrounding area.
Eger came to prominence in the 11th C when King Stephen I founded a diocese here. In 1241 the still young diocesan town was almost completely destroyed by the Mongols, but after being rebuilt it developed to become a center of Hungarian Renaissance. Twice the Turks attempted to invade the town; the first time, in 1552, their army numbering some 80,000 men came up against the legendary resistance offered by the fort's commander István Dobó who - with only 2000 soldiers and the support of the courageous women of the town - successfully defended it. However, the Turkish siege of 1596 was successful, and Eger remained under Turkish rule for 100 years and became the chief town of the newly founded Ottoman province of Wilajet. Public baths, mosques and other oriental buildings, of which only a minaret remains, were the dominant features of the town at that time. When the Turks were forced to leave Eger in 1687 the population numbered a mere 3500. In the 18th C Eger again flourished and, now once again the see of a bishop, blossomed into a rich Baroque town. The presence of bishops and monastic orders led to much building taking place, which in turn heralded an influx of well-known artists and craftsmen. The thermal springs brought many visitors to the town. After the Second World War a number of industries set up here, and its schools made Eger the education center of the region.
Eger is a popular tourist destination with 17 Baroque churches, thermal baths, and historic sitess such as the Turkish minaret and the Castle of Eger.
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