Encs is a small town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County in Northern Hungary, about 40 km (25 mi) from the county capital Miskolc and 50 km (31 mi) from Košice. Nearby town Szikszó is also described here.
Encs benefits from its position on the gentle foothills that lead up to the Bükk and Mátra ranges. From the town centre, cyclists can follow low‑traffic lanes along the River Sajó, weaving through orchards and small vineyards that dot the landscape. A short ride north brings you to the historic village of Ipolytarnóca, where a unique open‑air museum displays dinosaur footprints preserved in limestone. Heading east, the road climbs gently to the edge of the Lillafüred forest, offering shaded walks and the chance to spot capercaillie. Because Encs sits on a railway line between Miskolc and the Slovak border, day‑trippers can hop on a regional train and return by evening, making the town an understated but practical hub for nature‑focused itineraries.
While the region is known for hearty pork dishes, Encs offers a quieter culinary dialogue in its family‑run eateries. Look for the weekly market on Saturday where stalls sell freshly pressed apple cider and locally smoked kolbász, both products of small orchards and farms that have been in the same families for generations. A modest bistro on the town square serves a version of túrós csusza—curd cheese noodles—prepared with milk from a nearby cooperative, giving the dish a milder, creamier profile than the restaurant‑chain versions. Pair it with a glass of dry Tokaji from the east of the town, and you get a taste of the region’s agricultural heritage without the tourist‑track embellishments.
Encs’s calendar is punctuated by modest celebrations that reflect the agricultural cycle rather than grand spectacles. In late August, the local school organises a harvest fête where stalls display handmade straw decorations and the community gathers for folk dances performed by residents who have learned the steps from their grandparents. The event is a good opportunity to observe how traditional costumes integrate subtle regional patterns, offering a visual contrast to the more commercial folk festivals in larger cities. Visiting during this time also means cooler evenings, allowing for pleasant walks along the riverbank after the festivities, when the town’s street lamps cast a soft glow on the historic façades.
For the district, see Encs District. For the chemical database, see Japanese Existing and New Chemical Substances. Town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, HungaryEncsTownEncs Church FlagCoat of armsEncsLocation of EncsCoordinates: 48°19′50″N 21°07′19″E / 48.33068°N 21.12188°E / 48.33068; 21.12188Country HungaryCountyBorsod-Abaúj-ZemplénDistrictEncsArea • Total31.13 km2 (12.02 sq mi)Population (2001) • Total7,052 • Density226.53/km2 (586.7/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal code3860Area code(+36) 46Websitewww.encs.hu Encs is a small town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Northern Hungary, 30 kilometers from the county capital Miskolc.
[edit] The area has been inhabited for at least 6,000 years. After the Hungarians occupied the area, it became part of Újvár comitatus (later Abaúj county). The first recorded mention of the village was in 1219. The railway line reached the village in 1860. In 1880 Encs had about 1,000 residents. After the treaty of Trianon Encs was the most important village of the parts of Abaúj-Torna county that remained in Hungary. The next few decades brought prosperity. In 1962 it became the centre of the unified districts of Encs, Abaújszántó and Szikszó, and gained town status in 1984.
[edit] See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Hungary Encs is twinned with: Bad Dürrenberg, Germany Ghelința, Romania Kępno, Poland Moldava nad Bodvou, Slovakia