Sights of Alsópetény

About Alsópetény

Often mentioned as the little Switzerland of the Cserhát, the settlement of Alsópetény nestles peacefully to the hilly landscape. The village with its 680 residents lies far away from international highways, yet it is within easy reach of the nearby towns like Vác and Rétság, making it the ideal destination for a relaxing holiday. The perfectly clear air and gripping atmosphere of Alsópetény makes you wish that holiday was neverending…

Church hill

Even the flight of stairs leading up to the hill speaks of bygone times. The Roman Catholic church was built in the fifteenth century. Its nave was rebuilt in 1724 by István Jeszenszky using the original, old material. There is a vestry on the southern side and three Baroque windows on the nothern side. The door of the side-entrance has a rococo knob, lock and curbing. On entering the Gothic, vaulted sanctuary there is a Baroque high altar from the middle of the eighteenth century. The altar piece shows Saint Stephen offering the crown. Outside the church stands a separate, two-storey high Baroque belfry that was built in the eighteenth century. The bell itself is mentioned in a literary manuscript from 1717. The largest inscription on the bell reads “Virgin Mary, patron saint of Hungary, pray for the meek sequelae of Alsópetény!”, and the middle one says “Saint Joseph, you are warding the sequelae of Alsópetény”. Both inscriptions were made in László Szlezák’s workhouse in 1920. The inscription on the smallest bell is to Saint Michael archangel. Going round the church hill, beatiful, old stone crucifixes bear witness that this used to be the ancient place of burial.

The Werbőczy-stack is a huge granite monument on the church hill that commemorates István Werbőczy, the late owner of the settlement. It was here is Alsópetény where he worked on his main piece “Tripartitum”, the most important three volume collection of customary law in Medieval Hungary. Beneath the monument lies the tomb of the Gyurcsányi family.

Prónay Castle

The Prónay Castle in Alsópetény was built around 1750 in Baroque style. It originally belonged to Ignác Gyurcsányi, however lacking male descendants the castle eventually became the possession of the Prónay family. Unlike several other noble estates in Nógrád county, the Prónay Castle of Alsópetény saw revival. Restored with gentle care, the set of monumental buildings and the Castle Park are in perfect harmony with the landscape of Nógrád county. The Castle consists of four main buildings, namely the Big Castle, the Small Castle, the Guest House that used to be the old manor building and the Bath House. The two restored castles built in the eighteenth-nineteenth century still bear reminiscence of this period.

The Castle is the ideal venue for weddings, conferences, and family, cultural, corporate events.

Andreánszky Mansion and Park

The small mansion at the end of the village belongs to the Andreánszky-family whose descendandt, Gábor Andeánszky (1895-1967) was a famous botanist, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA). The park of the castle used to be a national park, at present it is a so called locally protected area. The building itself has been completely rebuilt based on contemporary records and photographs.

Jewish cemetery

Along the so-called “National Blue Trail”, the longest and most beautiful hiking trail in Hungary, lies the cemetary of the village’s Jewish population. Although this place of burial has not been used for decades, a short walk among the tombstones might revive parts of nineteenth and twentieth century history.

Lake Cser

This artificial fishing lake lies right next to the village, and is well-known throughout the country as a popular fishing competition venue. The hiking trail that sets off right by the lake leads to the highest point of the region, to the 422 m high Kő-hegy.