The Bükkalja Region and the Matyó People

The Bükkalja region, composed of volcanic tuff, is characterized by mysterious beehive-shaped stones, cave dwellings carved into the tuff, and a winemaking tradition with a long history. On the southern edge of this landscape, centered around Mezőkövesd and including the communities of Tard and Szentistván, lives the Matyó ethnic group, which has preserved its unique traditions thanks to its distinct Roman Catholic identity. Their world-famous embroidery, part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, is characterized by the richly colored Matyó rose, which shines against a black background.