Attraction Hercegkút: Where wine and Swabian tradition meet underground

What makes it special?

The distinctive triangular stone entrances carved into the hillside look from afar as if the hobbit dwellings from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings had come to life. The cellars were originally built in the 18th century by German (Swabian) families who settled in the area. Carved into soft rhyolite tuff, the cellar system maintains a constant temperature of 10–12°C throughout the year, making it ideal for aging the world-famous Tokaj wines.

World Heritage status

The Hercegkút cellar rows have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2002, as part of the wider Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region. The cellars often extend 10–40 meters underground and are arranged in multiple levels stacked above one another along the hillside, creating a unique terraced landscape.

What can you do here?

• Walk along the cellar rows: On Gombos Hill, the cellars rise in four levels. The view from above, especially from the cellar rooftops, is the most spectacular.
• Calvary Hill: A scenic path lined with stations of the cross leads up to the summit, where panoramic views open over the village and the Zemplén mountains.
• Wine tasting: Local winemakers (such as the Götz and Naár family wineries) welcome visitors, offering both wines and insight into the flavours of the Tokaj region.
• Kőporos Visitor Centre: An interactive exhibition introduces visitors to Swabian architectural heritage and the history of viticulture in the area.