Though the old village of Hollókő, which is included in the UNESCO world cultural and natural

heritage list, may look like a movie-set recalling the past, the village is very much alive. In fact,
Hollókő, a World Heritage Site since 1987, is Central Europe’s most intact community. The houses
guarding the folk architecture of the 1700s were built about 100 years ago, after a devastating fire
destroyed the original village. Everything was rebuilt to its original form, conserving the traditions of
the Palóc people, an ethnic minority group in Hungary.

It still remains a mystery where the Palóc came from and when exactly they arrived to Hungary, but
their presence in Hollókő and its area dates back to the 1600s. Their dialect is still the most
characteristic in Hungary, their architecture, culture, traditions and colorful folk costumes, provide
visitors with a truly unique experience.

The famous, one of a kind folk architecture is preserved by 58 snow-white houses, including a
wooden church built in 1889. Hollókő is also famous for its medieval castle, built in the 13th century.

The residents of this village of 400 are the Palóc people. Besides their special dialect, they retain their
traditions and their colourful, richly decorated folk costumes. At the more important festivals they
still wear these traditional folk costumes (which they usually make themselves). The most beautiful is
the dress for special occasions worn by young girls and brides; under the red or blue silk skirt you can
see 6, 8 or even 10 snow white, starched underskirts. Perhaps the most spectacular festival at
Hollókő is Easter, when they display not only the clothes, but also the Easter customs and folk crafts.
The Raspberry Festival in July attracts many visitors, as does the Nógrád Folklore Festival and the
August Castle Tournament. In September a grape harvest procession is held and there are concerts in
the castle and church.

Preserving traditions involves keeping alive and reviving old folk crafts. We have established and
operate the only handcrafts workshop in the village, the Weaving House.

In one of the finely renovated houses of the Old Village you can see a permanent exhibition of the
history of weaving. The house also has a crafts room where visitors can learn about the evolution of
hand weaving, the practice of and tools for processing flax as well as about the different kinds of
weaving.

Hollóko, a living museum village, is nestled in a picturesque hilly surrounding about 100 km from
Budapest in the North of Hungary. The village has preserved the warm, person-centred, friendly
atmosphere of the diminishing village-life of the accelerated XXI century. The 'Old-village' with its
adjoining 141 hectare Nature Reserve was added to the Cultural and Natural Heritages of the World
in 1987 for preserving unique values of folk and applied art. Nestling in one of the gentle valleys of
Cserhát Mountain, the small village is a pearl of our folk architecture evoking mist shrouded
memories of folk tales, representing the perfect harmony of nature and the built environment.
Easter in Holloko
In each year there are fantastic and colorful Easter celebrations in the village, when local people
– both young and old - welcome the spring with traditional programs in historic costumes. Various
performances are held on Easter Sunday and Monday, and moreover, visitors can try weaving,
wood carving and pottery making in the handcraft workshops. But always pay attention to the
local, young boys – they love to give a ‘little’ water-shower for girls during the Easter ritual.