Bernecebaráti
This ancient village can be found in the valley of the Ipoly at the north-west feet of the Börzsöny. It is the northernmost village of County Pest and took today's form in 1928 when the villages of Bernece and Baráti were joined. The hill, which hides the village, almost acts as if it were a fortress with its church (a historic building) built in the 14th century. Its reinforced nature is still proved by the crenellated walls.
There was also a Bronz or Pre-Iron Age settlement, part of which was surrounded by earthworks. The origin of its name is Slavonic, meaning muddy, and its ruin can still be seen today.
The first chartered mention of Bernece was from 1245, while that of Baráti was from 1158. István, son of Adorján gave the village to the Benedictine priests living at the River Garam.
Alajos Szokolyi is probably the most famous person from the village: he won the Bronz medal in the 100 metre race in Athens, at the first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896. It was him who founded the Hungarian Association of Athletics in 1897. His grave is in the Upper Cemetery and there is a commemorative plaque on the wall of his castle.
Also in the cemetery is Pista Sisa's grave, who was the last outlaw of the Börzsöny and whose real name was István Benkó.
Imre Tóth, writer, was also born in the village. He wrote the Palóc Dialect Dictionary, and also the Trilogy of the Palóc People and the Grandchildren of Happy Palóc People.
The church, dedicated to the Assumption, dominates the surroundings from far away. The tower and the walls of the single-aisled church are mostly from Roman times and the sanctum has a spherical calotte from 1754. The façade is decorated with scenes from the Middle Ages and inside one can see an indeed dynamic baroque main altar with an Assunta sculpture surrounded by halo.
Castle Huszár is under 23 Széchenyi Street. The two-storey house from the 18th century is at the far end of the park. In front of the entrance, a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk can be seen.
One can find the regional museum on the same street, presently being organized, which bears the marks of Palóc architectural style.
Many of the old houses in the village are owned by townspeople who spend most of their free time here enjoying the clean air and the wonderful surroundings.
A favourite for hikers is what is known as the Main Valley. The local government owns three large fields which are turned into camp sites every season.
The local primary school also takes in a number of holidaymakers, mainly in the summer, as it lies in the middle of a big park. It can also cater for 30-50 people during the winter months.
Food is available from the primary school canteen and from the local restaurant. Students can also get accommodation at the restaurant.
Many hunters frequent the area as woods nearby are alive with wild animals. Next to the village there is also a storage-lake, a favourite of many anglers and watersport-lovers.
The local health service is quite good, the village has its own GP and at weekends there is a doctor on duty in Vámosmikola, a neighboring village.
