Agria 43. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2007)
Tamás Edit: Adalékok Sárospatak turizmusához
TAMÁS Edit 2005 Múzeumlátogatók Zemplénben (2000-2004). In: Szerencs, TokajHegyalja kapuja. Szerk: Dr. Frisnyák Sándor-Dr. Gál András. 353-368. Szerencs. Edit Tamás Tourism in Sárospatak Sárospatak is a small historical town in northeastern Hungary lying on the banks of the River Bodrog, at the point where the Zemplén Hills meet the Great Hungarian Plain. The castle enjoyed its golden age during the 17 th century when in the possession of the Rákóczi family. The 17 th century was also a time when vineculture and the wine trade was in the ascendence (aszú wine, the Rákóczi Cellar). The Calvinist College was founded in the 1530s with the support of the Rákoczis. When Comenius was active there (1650-54) the institution acquired something of a European reputation. The local museums are currently the custodians of the town's historical heritage. The Rákóczi Museum situated in the castle, run by the Hungarian National Museum, is one of Hungary's most visited museums (occupying 12 th position, with 194 621 visitors). The town's other main tourist attraction is the Végardó Thermal Baths, which had 280 000 paying guests in 2006. Its 38 °C mineral waters are suitable for the treatment of rheumatic disorders. The number of tourists visiting the town has grown dramatically over the last decade. It is noticeable how adults as well as schoolchildren are now visiting the museum, while the baths are particulatly popular with visitors from Slovakia and Poland. Also the tourist infrastructure (accommodation, restaurants, public transport) has changed somewhat in recent years. The target audience for the Rákóczi Castle and the Thermal Baths is for the most part very mixed. So how else can one encourage tourism in the town? Its natural treasures, wine tourism, gastronomy, water tourism, boating, festivals and religious tourism, all open promising possibilities. Of the programmes that are currently on offer special mention should be made to the events surrounding the Cult of St Elizabeth of Thuringia, who was born in the town, and the traditional elements making up the Zemplén Festival. A large number of the town's visitors tend to return to Sárospatak at a later date. 745
