Telegraph’s 25 amazing things about Hungary

Tourism to Hungary and especially Budapest has been getting more and more significant, and several articles from different points of the world are being written about the country, encouraging tourists to pay a visit. This time the British Telegraph decided to enlighten its readers about the wonderful things related to Hungary.

Travel writer of the Telegraph, Zoe Johnson compiled a list featuring 25 amazing things you probably didn’t know about Hungary. Notably, she did it in order “to mark Hungarian National Day”, that is commemorating March 15. Let’s see the 25 points then, following the original order.

1. Suitable for a beach holiday

Even though Johnson mentions Hungary as “unlikely place for a beach holiday”, she recommends the Hungarian Sea, that is, Lake Balaton for holiday-goers. Furthermore, tourists shall not miss visiting Hévíz either, for aside being a beautiful place its thermal water can improve medical conditions.

2. Indoor healing waters

When it’s cold outside but you still would like to go bathing, Hungary offers quite some opportunities to satisfy your needs “thanks to an abundance of natural hot springs”, which makes it possible for the country to have quite a great number of (about 450) spas and baths.

3. Great inventions

You must have heard of the Rubik’s Cube (Ernő Rubik), the electric bulb (Imre Bródy), and the biro (László Bíró), which are all Hungarian inventions. And there’s plenty more significant things invented by Hungarians.

4. Numerous Nobel Prize winners

So far, Hungary can be proud to have 13 Nobel laureates, which is “more per capita than the likes of Finland, Spain, Canada and Australia”, excluding the Peace Prize.

5. The statue of Anonymus

According to the legend, if you touch the pen of Anonymus you will be blessed with great writing abilities. The statue is located in the City Park in Budapest, where many people try their luck in the hope of becoming wondrous at writing.

6. The first official wine region of the world

The region of Tokaj is not only one of the most significant vineyards of Hungary, but is actually the first one that was made: since the 5th century fine wines have been produced in Tokaj.

7. The escapologist

One of the world’s most famous illusionists, Harry Houdini was born in Budapest, as Erich Weisz, in 1874, before becoming “the master of escapology”.

8. Pálinka

Apparently, the Hungarian fruit brandy pálinka is said to have amazing powers, whatever kind of pain you’re suffering from, as it can count as a medicine in small amounts and as a remedy in large amounts.

9. Clinking your beer glasses is not necessarily a good idea

Based on a legend from 1848, when the Hungarian revolution was defeated the Habsburgs clinked their beer glasses after each of the 13 generals who were executed. Thus, Hungarians weren’t particularly fond of clinking beer glasses for about 150 years. Eye contact and saying egészségedre are not to miss, though.

10. Water polo as national sport

Johnson mentions the bloody match between Hungary and the USSR at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics as “quite possibly the most famous game of water polo history”, which ended with a 4-0 victory for Hungary. It was then called off in order to avoid a riot. Also, the 2000 Sydney Olympics “introduced a women’s tournament to the sport”.

11. A Hungarian is the best female chess player in the world

Judit Polgár became a grandmaster in 1991, when she was only 15, thus establishing a record. Moreover, chess in itself is also a really popular game in Hungary and is played pretty much anywhere, including thermal baths.

12. Number 96

The number 96 can be found related to several events or things in Hungary. For instance, the crowning of Árpád, the first Magyar king, and the beginning of the Hungarian state was in 896 and the metro of Budapest was built on the millennial anniversary in 1896.