Settlement Type: | Town |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Timezone: | CET |
Utc Offset: | +1 |
Timezone Dst: | CEST |
Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
Official Name: | Bélapátfalva |
Subdivision Type1: | County |
Subdivision Name1: | Heves |
Subdivision Type2: | District |
Subdivision Name2: | Bélapátfalva |
Area Total Km2: | 36.17 |
Population As Of: | 2001 |
Population Total: | 3465 |
Population Density Km2: | 96 |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 3346 |
Area Code Type: | Area code |
Area Code: | (+36) 36 |
Bélapátfalva is a town in Heves County, in Hungary, located north of the city of Eger. The town is located inside the Eger river valley at an altitude of 311 meters above sea level. Facing the town is the Bél-kő mountain which rises 811 meters and is one of the highest peaks of the Bükk mountains. Because of the picturesque landscape and notable attraction the village is on the path of the National Blue Trail.
The town is the site of the best-preserved Romanesque church building in Hungary, formerly part of a Cistercian abbey, established by Bishop Cletus Bél. The church was built after 1232 and later modified in Gothic style. The façade is notable for its Romanesque portal and the interplay between grey and reddish stone rows. The abbey to the south of the church was destroyed in the 16th century, and only its ruins remain. The design of the chapel of the Cistercian Our Lady of Dallas in Irving, Texas, was influenced by this church, which architect Gary Cunningham visited prior in preparation for the project.