to understand the present.The past connects us to our traditions and heritage of our ancestors. Those who are able to see the rich history of the Hegyalja region as part of the world’s cultural heritage are those who can clearly understand its past.Hungarian and Jewish people lived together in peace in the region. They kept their customs and traditions alive, even in the tiny villages of the area.This meeting of cultures created the essence of Hegyalja. If a visitor looks at the panorama of vineyards and distant mountains, stories of the region come alive.Not so long ago, a war and its ideologies threatened to destroy this unique culture that has been built for centuries.
The city of Szerencs is known as the gate to the Zemplén Mountains. Mád is the start and end of the ‘Trail of the Wonder-Working Rabbis’ pilgrimage route. Among the landscape of cultivated vineyards and dense forests, visitors can find several ancient churches, mansions and underground cellars offering excellent wine. And of course, there are a lot of local specialties to taste.
Tokaj is the town after which the wine referred to as the "king of wines, wine of kings" was named. It lies in the region where the river Tisza meets the Bodrog River and the Hungarian Plain meets the Hegyalja region. It is the coming together of these geographical features that make such fertile ground for the Aszú grapes. Also here the Trail of the Wonder Working Rabbis – passing near the rabbi’s grave as well as the only active Synagogue in the region – follows the popular Mary pilgrimage route, as well as the EuroVelo cycle route, and the ‘nameless’ yet popular water trail. Simply, this convergence point enabled Tokaj and its neighborhood to become the renowned center of Hungarian wine-making and more for which it is known.
Today, only the name of Bodrogolaszi bears witness to the Venetian wine-growers who settled in the town in the 13th century (‘olasz’ meaning Italian in Hungarian). But Komlóska, Hercegkút and Füzér are traditional towns of the Ruthene, Swabian and Slovakian nationalities respectively and Széphalom is one of the cradles of the Hungarian language. It comes as no surprise that the Jewish communities have also left behind a memorial site that is well worth a visit: the grave of the ‘father’ of Hasidism in Hungary, rabbi Mose Teitelbaum. But the area is also home to a number of natural wonders.
In Hegyalja, great miracles can happen even in small villages. Olaszliszka, the Bodrog-side village became the center of Hungarian Hasidism in the time of wonder-working Rabbi Hersh Friedman. Today, pilgrims can visit the rabbi’s grave and an interactive memorial site. National treasures are on display in the Tolcsva Wine Museum. Visitors can also discover Erdőbénye. The village hosts an annual, 3-day-long wine festival.
The city of Szerencs is known as the gate to the Zemplén Mountains. Mád is the start and end of the ‘Trail of the Wonder-Working Rabbis’ pilgrimage route. Among the landscape of cultivated vineyards and dense forests, visitors can find several ancient churches, mansions and underground cellars offering excellent wine. And of course, there are a lot of local specialties to taste.
Tokaj is the town after which the wine referred to as the "king of wines, wine of kings" was named. It lies in the region where the river Tisza meets the Bodrog River and the Hungarian Plain meets the Hegyalja region. It is the coming together of these geographical features that make such fertile ground for the Aszú grapes. Also here the Trail of the Wonder Working Rabbis – passing near the rabbi’s grave as well as the only active Synagogue in the region – follows the popular Mary pilgrimage route, as well as the EuroVelo cycle route, and the ‘nameless’ yet popular water trail. Simply, this convergence point enabled Tokaj and its neighborhood to become the renowned center of Hungarian wine-making and more for which it is known.
Today, only the name of Bodrogolaszi bears witness to the Venetian wine-growers who settled in the town in the 13th century (‘olasz’ meaning Italian in Hungarian). But Komlóska, Hercegkút and Füzér are traditional towns of the Ruthene, Swabian and Slovakian nationalities respectively and Széphalom is one of the cradles of the Hungarian language. It comes as no surprise that the Jewish communities have also left behind a memorial site that is well worth a visit: the grave of the ‘father’ of Hasidism in Hungary, rabbi Mose Teitelbaum. But the area is also home to a number of natural wonders.
In Hegyalja, great miracles can happen even in small villages. Olaszliszka, the Bodrog-side village became the center of Hungarian Hasidism in the time of wonder-working Rabbi Hersh Friedman. Today, pilgrims can visit the rabbi’s grave and an interactive memorial site. National treasures are on display in the Tolcsva Wine Museum. Visitors can also discover Erdőbénye. The village hosts an annual, 3-day-long wine festival.
Mád is the start and end point of the “Footsteps of the Wonder Rabbis” pilgrimage route. The 150 km long route touches 10 towns and villages as it winds its way through the Jewish memorial sites and the architectural heritage of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region.
MoreTHE RABBI'S HOUSE AND MÁD SYNAGOGUE CAN BE FOUND IN THE NORTHEASTERN, HILLY AREA OF THE VILLAGE BY TAKING A NARROW PATH WEST FROM RÁKÓCZI ROAD. AS DOCUMENTED IN LOCAL HISTORY BOOKS, THE BUILDING WAS NOT ONLY THE HOME OF LEARNED RABBIS BUT ALSO PROVIDED A LOCATION FOR THE YESHIVA, THE INSTITUTION OF JEWISH RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
MoreThe exhibition extending over multiple rooms in the pilgrims' lodge tells the story of the Jewish families that once inhabited the home, the legend of the rabbi of Mád, and shows elements of Jewish folklore. The interactive exhibits and innovative graphic solutions guarantee a unique experience. The exhibition is made up of several parts, which we recommend viewing in a set order in order to get a clear picture of the history of the Jewish congregation of Mád and how colorful their life used to be.
MoreThe beautiful Baroque synagogue of Mád built in 1795 served the local Jewish population for over 150 years. The construction of the building was financed by two wealthy families, namely the Brener and Teitelbaum brothers who had settled in the village as wine traders. The synagogue was consecrated by Rabbi Wolf Boskovitz (1740–1818) of Bonyhád.
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