Monok


Monok is a village in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary and is part of the Tokaj wine region.
WWW Official Site

Geography

The nearest town is Szerencs away. Neighbouring villages are Golop away, Legyesbénye away and Tállya away.
The Zemplén Mountains have two sides: on the north Vilvitány Hill, on the south Szerencs Hill. The village lies in the valley between the two.
Although the north is mountainous the south is lower lying at around. On the north and south slopes there are fields and vineyards whose wines compete with those from Tokaj, and the fields bordering the vineyards offer views of the Tatra Mountains.

History

It is not certain when the village was established, but it was some time during the Mongol [invasion of Europe], or the earlier Hungarian invasion.
The first record of the village is in 1392 and the Monok family owned it from the mid-13th century until the mid-17th century. The name of the village allegedly comes from Slavic monoh meaning "monk". During the Ottoman Empire, the village was razed and in 1567 it was recorded as being just barren fields. Towards the end of this century the village was reinhabited and around 1570 a small castle was built in the Renaissance style. Later, the village was owned by the Andrássy family who renovated the castle, but since it was too small they built another one nearby in the Classical style.

Ethnicity

93% of the population is Hungarian, with the remaining 7% being of Romani origin.

Traditions

  • Monok holds a summer fair on the second Sunday of every September called Kálvária fair, to which people from far and wide make a pilgrimage.
  • Each August the renovated Monaky Castle holds a "Renaissance Castle Day", when people wear period dress and perform archery and stage marionette shows. There is also a market and a beer tent, which also serves cauldrons of goulash and soft drinks.

Landmarks

Notable people