This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page For two centuries now historical narratives have been shaped by nationalist historiography This has also blindfolded both the Slovaks and the Hungarians to the fact that earlier it used to be the spiritual unity of peoples that held paramount importance linguist and Slovakologist István Käfer (1935–2024) recognizing that the legacy of the Crown of Saint Stephen belongs both to modern-day Hungary and Slovakia is equally difficult to grapple with for both nations but is pivotal to our spiritual reconciliation Slovaks are heirs to the kingdom of St Stephen it remains a question of who is more terrified by that fact—the Hungarians who feel that their Crown might be taken away from them who are afraid of sharing in all the good and bad connotations associated with it This is a take on the matter of István Käfer including the Officer’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit and the Péter Pázmány Award Albeit his ideas might appear controversial to the conservative camp his points are grounded in the religious background and traditions of the so-called Regnum Hungariae As argued in one of his essays available in English the northern neighbour of Hungary is somewhat of a blind spot for the Magyars and the same is true vice versa: the land of the former ruling nation is terra incognita to Slovakians Remaining sometimes mutually oblivious to the actual history of the other and at times knowing more about Tunisia or Madagascar than about each other this lack of knowledge is further obscured by the grudges and resentment the two nations hold towards one another ‘Nations can’t forever live in a state of mutual distrust These problems have not appeared out of thin air It is true that Slovaks were oppressed nationally and linguistically during the times of the monarchy and their maturation as a nation was delayed by Hungary Slovakia was “lost” for Hungary following the Treaty of Trianon These territorial and cultural losses caused the most devastating national trauma to Hungary in its entire history and the wounds have not completely healed to this day It is no secret that at times the Slovak—or more precisely Czechoslovak—authorities took their historical grievances out on the ethnic Hungarian minority nations can’t forever live in a state of mutual distrust We need to build the foundation for forgiveness And the building material for this foundation is way closer than we might think It is grounded in our common history—in the legacy of the Kingdom of Saint Stephen For István Käfer, one of the elements that has historically united both Slovakia and Hungary is, surprisingly, the language. Bálint Balassi a crucial figure in Hungarian renaissance poetry which greatly influenced his thinking and the way he used the language often referred to as the creator of the Hungarian literary language also had a significant influence on the development of the Slovak language but encouraging its use in Catholic prayers Many of the Slovak religious prayer books were in fact printed in Esztergom: they are known as Estrihom in Slovak together with their Hungarian and Latin counterparts edited by Jesuit father Benedek Szőllősy in 1655 The same is true for many song and poems collections that feature both Hungarian and Slovak texts—a feature that underscores the centuries of friendship and cohabitation not only that of rivalry and ethnic intolerance Hungarian and Slovak writers lived side by side for centuries and read each other’s works whose mother tongue was Slovak; or Lutheran pastor Mátyás Bél (Matej Bel) the most significant 18th century Slovak Hungarian geographer and historian many Hungarian historical figures of Slovak ethnicity were fervent Hungarian patriots who consecrated Rákóczi’s flags on the main square of Zsolna (today Žilina The other foundational pillar for this forgiveness is the Christian faith itself which has permeated the fabric of the entire Europe and its history Christianity and its values are the very tool needed for the long-awaited reconciliation between the two nations—for the very concept of reconciliation and the forgiving of our enemies and past sins is one of the keystones of Christianity ‘Reconciliation can continue through common prayer ‘The Christian roots of Europe must be recognized and witnessed The present-day Slovak and Hungarian nations have all the opportunities and rock-solid convincing documents about the former state community We need a spiritual renewal to obtain forgiveness for all the bad things the Hungarians did to the Slovaks in our regions in the recent past and vice versa if the two nations joined hands and acknowledged their common past Such a community of a Slavic and a non-Slavic European nation could perhaps be an impulse to bring together other Slavs and non-Slavs and thus help Europe to breathe with the Eastern and Western parts of its lungs at the same time We have a greater chance of receiving forgiveness when we free ourselves from the daily neglect of doing good Such neglect is when we are indifferent to each other and incapable of recovery even in the light of our past Reconciliation can continue through common prayer While some may view the ideas of Hungarian–Slovak spiritual reconciliation as controversial István Käfer’s insights remind us of a simple yet vital truth: the foundations for our future lie within our own history but also the key to restoring harmony and good relations with our neighbours Although István Käfer passed away on 5 August 2024 they and inspired a joint bilingual reconciliation service at the Basilica of Esztergom where believers from both nations asked God to grant them peace and brotherhood in the region The Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of the two countries signed a joint declaration in which they stated: “We ask for forgiveness Hungarian Conservative is a quarterly magazine on contemporary political philosophical and cultural issues from a conservative perspective Úgy tűnik nem található semmi ezen a helyen IMPRESSZUM SZERZŐI JOGOK ADATVÉDELEM FELHASZNÁLÁSI FELTÉTELEK Sátoraljaújhely’s Bridge of National Unity with a length of 723 metres has received a World Guinness World Record Certificate the mayor of the town in north-eastern Hungary said on Wednesday The bridge, which opened in June last year, spans the Májuskút Valley at a height of 84 metres and can hold 300 people at a time. The mayor told a local press conference that it attracted over 300,000 visitors by the end of 2024. “The aim is to double that figure,” Szamosvölgyi added Guinness World Records official adjudicator Anouk de Timary congratulated Sátoraljaújhely on the achievement saying that the Guinness Record Certificate had been given in recognition of “an important and special architectural solution” The Bridge of National Unity is two metres longer than the previous Guinness record-holder as the world’s longest-span pedestrian suspension bridge and website in this browser for the next time I comment Y"},"category":false,"taxonomy":{"active":false,"name":"category"}},"markup":{"custom_html":true,"wpp-start":"","wpp-end":"<\/ul>","title-start":"","title-end":"<\/h2>","post-html":"{thumb} {title} {stats}<\/span>{excerpt}<\/p><\/li>"},"theme":{"name":""}} You have successfully joined our subscriber list © 2025 DailyNewsHungary | All rights reserved The 700-metre-long suspension bridge is unique in its category It connects two points in the northern Hungarian city of Sátoraljaújhely offering a splendid view of the Zemplén Mountains and the surrounding forests the cost of crossing the bridge may not be worth it for some The construction of the bridge cost approximately EUR 10 million and was designed as a tourist attraction Six steel cables support it at a height of about 80 metres This technology makes it unique in Hungary and it is also the longest bridge of its kind in the world A glass walkway in the middle section enhances the walking experience Crossing the bridge will cost a whopping HUF 5,000 (EUR 13) for a pedestrian. The bridge will be inaugurated on the National Day of Unity on 4 June, as announced by Sátoraljaújhely Adventure Park in a Facebook post the ceremony will not be open to the public Most locals will only be able to experience the world-record-length bridge the following day the bridge will be free for locals who present their address cards Residents of Sátoraljaújhely and Sárospatak can receive a 20 percent discount on ticket prices after 5 July by showing their address cards According to 24.hu in addition to the EUR 10 million spent on the bridge the Adventure Park cost an additional HUF 3 billion (EUR 7.8 million) The project was originally planned with a budget of HUF 2.8 billion (EUR 7.2 million) no contractor could be found for the construction A new chairlift was also built with the funding requiring over one kilometre of forest to be cleared a similar bridge opened in the Czech Republic This bridge is 696 metres long and costs HUF 1 billion (EUR 2.5 million) less to build several similar bridges have been built across Europe The 665-metre bridge in Germany cost EUR 4.4 million the 516-metre bridge in Portugal cost EUR 2.3 million and the 494-metre bridge in Switzerland cost EUR 780,000 As we previously reported the bridge consists of stair grating except for a short but spectacular section in the centre where you can walk on glass This provides a stunning view of Sátoraljaújhely and the nearby forests and hills you can feel the bridge wobbling underfoot giving a touch of thrill to the experience Even though the facility is unparalleled in Hungary Some people question the location of the bridge or believe that the construction cost of nearly HUF 5 billion was exorbitantly high World’s longest rope bridge will soon be inaugurated in Hungary – Read here Walking on Hungary’s record-breaking suspension bridge is an unrivalled experience Why is it not surprising that it was massively more expensive in Hungary to build this with public money than anywhere else in the World Somehow I would imagine it being cheaper here with all the cheaper construction workforce available Some government close business people made yet again a massive profit with our And who will benefit from the exorbitant fee to walk on this bridge the rebuilt buildings housing museums to profit private individuals rather than fund the Hungarian nation The record-breaking suspension bridge is in Sátoraljaújhely and its name is the Bride of National Unity Walking on it is a breathtaking experience it might not attract those with a fear of heights According to turizmus.com the suspension bridge is 700 meters long and will be opened to the public in June It connects two mountain peaks near Sátoraljaújhely The experience of walking on the bridge is unique in Hungary because there is only a stair grating under our feet If you suffer from agoraphobia or a fear of heights while offering a jaw-dropping view of Sátoraljaújhely and the nearby forests and hills you can feel the bridge’s wobbling under your feet Turista Magazin got permission to walk through the bridge and make a video and the subcontractor is now putting the decorative lighting on it and is building the entrance gates This was not the first time the magazine wrote about the bridge Some comment writers questioned why the bridge was built there while others became fans of it even without trying the experience of walking on it Turista Magazin wrote that those not fearing heights should try it because nowhere else can you have a similar experience anywhere in Hungary there is only stair grating except for a short but spectacular section in the centre of the bridge where you can walk on glass You may check out some additional images in their article by clicking HERE We wrote before that the new attraction of Sátoraljaújhely cost EUR 10 million and spans 80 meters above the ground The ambitious engineering marvel’s centre (rising 82 metres above the Május [May] Creek) is made of special glass elements “These additions are designed to enhance the overall experience creating a truly immersive and breathtaking atmosphere.” The bridge was part of the Tokaj-Zemplén Development Programme a government-backed project aiming to boost local infrastructure and tourism The city’s deputy mayor, Dénes Dankó, said in 2023 that the new bridge would “accommodate two-way traffic further contributing to the connectivity and accessibility of the region.” The World’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge the newest tourist attraction between Szár Hill and Vár Hill will offer tourists a magnificent panorama and an entirely new perspective on the city and the mountains the opening ceremony will take place on 4 June 2024 Residents of Sátoraljaújhely and Sárospatak can try it for free on the presentation of their address cards the gates to the world record-breaking long two-way pedestrian rope suspension bridge will be open to all The 700-meter-long pedestrian bridge is unique in its category: it connects two points of Sátoraljaújhely and offers a great view of the Zemplén Mountains and the Slovakian border is supported by six steel cables at a height of 80 metres This technology is unique in Hungary and is the longest bridge of its kind built in the world The experience is enhanced by a glass walkway in the middle section of the bridge Opening hours will be the same as at the Zemplén Adventure Park As we wrote before, it won’t be cheap to cross the World’s Longest Footbridge, details are HERE The construction of the Bridge of National Unity in Sátoraljaújhely is reaching its final stages promising to be a groundbreaking addition to the region will offer an unprecedented view of the city and mountains The attraction will also elevate the local tourism experience According to 24.hu with a total cost of HUF 4 billion (approximately EUR 10 million) is set to break records with its impressive specifications the Bridge of National Unity (Nemzeti Összetartozás Hídja) aims to secure its place as a world record-holder in its category it stands as an ambitious engineering marvel the completion of the walkway of the Bridge of National Unity draws near this new tourist attraction is anticipated to open its doors to the public in the coming spring The development promises a transformative experience for both tourists and the local population The city’s radio station, Zemplén FM, shared the exciting news on their Facebook page. Their post expressed enthusiasm for the impending unveiling of this remarkable structure will soon provide an unparalleled view of the surrounding landscapes Hundreds of meters of stair gratings have been meticulously placed on the support elements ensuring the safety and accessibility of the bridge the section where the bridge reaches its zenith These additions are designed to enhance the overall experience creating a truly immersive and breathtaking atmosphere The HUF 4 billion (approximately EUR 10 million) investment is part of the larger Tokaj-Zemplén Development Programme that the government supports financially This strategic initiative aims to boost local infrastructure and tourism with the Bridge of National Unity standing out as a flagship project they plan to inaugurate the suspension bridge in the upcoming spring of 2024 This significant milestone marks the realisation of a vision that began in 2021 It showcases the region’s commitment to innovation and progress For more construction related articles, explore the detailed insights into the construction of Hungary’s southernmost Danube bridge in our article HERE Dénes Dankó, the deputy mayor, emphasised the spectacular nature of the ongoing construction He highlighted that after the visible completion of the current phase more tasks remain behind the scenes until spring Dankó shared that the bridge will accommodate two-way traffic further contributing to the connectivity and accessibility of the region As the completion of the Bridge of National Unity in Sátoraljaújhely approaches The transformative impact it will have on tourism is becoming increasingly evident experts anticipate that the project will shape local perspectives and actively contribute to the overall identity of the region The bridge is not merely a physical structure; it is a symbol of unity and progress It is nearly ready to leave a lasting impact on the city and its surroundings A 430 metre long glass-bottomed bridge was inaugurated in China in the summer of 2016. And now, according to atlatszo.hu, the Hungarian city of Sátoraljaújhely plans to break the world record with a 700 metre long glass bridge Everyone was shocked by Magyar Közlöny’s (Hungarian Journal) issue published on the 21st of February because it covers incredible future investments One of the most surprising projects is the establishment of a 3 billion forint (~9,743,000 euros) worth Space Centre in Gyulaháza The other big news concerns an extraordinary construction Sátoraljaújhely has set aside 2.5 billion forints (~8,120,000 euros) to enhance its touristic attractiveness by building a glass bridge between Szár Mountain and Vár Mountain There haven’t been too many articles about the glass bridge until the release of the journal although a video was shared on the website of the Municipality of Sátoraljaújhely in 2015 but it is centred around a suspension bridge Two municipal documents mention some data about the glass bridge Mayor Péter Szamosvölgyi (Fidesz-KDNP) touched upon the project cursorily at a representatives’ session held on the 15th of December “We have made a bid worth 3 billion forints for the development and presentation of the castle and the suspension bridge OR glass bridge connecting Szár Mountain and Vár Mountain but every Tokaj-Hegyalja project supported by the Touristic Agency and the Tokaj Development Council (…) I could say that we are within reach of me being able to tell my fellow representatives and the locals that we can start planning public purchases and then the execution which I believe would signify the centuries-old success of this city The mayor spoke about the glass bridge a bit more in detail at a public hearing on the 7th of December “Most of you have probably heard that the municipality is planning to execute a development that would connect Szár Mountain and Vár Mountain with a suspension bridge and its bottom would be built from plexi so that you could see the nature no matter where you looked We already have the theoretical support for the tender because this investment would cost 2-3 billion forints just like others who don’t like extreme experiences because it will be the longest and most interesting bridge This would mean such an income for the municipality that we could profit as much as Hajdúszoboszló profits from the thermal bath or Mezőkövesd from the Zsóry Bath It wouldn’t be a problem anymore if someone called to ask for a bench in front of the cemetery We would ask whether or not the person wanted a green or red bench because it would be a great source of income for Sátoraljaújhely in case of half a million visitors/year.” Here is the safety test of the Chinese 430 metre long glass bridge let’s imagine Lőrinc Mészáros (mayor of Viktor Orbán’s hometown) building such a bridge near Sátoraljaújhely https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFiYNRDTj6E the 700-meter-long suspension bridge will be constructed between the two mountain peaks of Sátoraljaújhely (Zemplén) for EUR 11.3 million (~HUF 4 billion) the public procurement of the extralarge suspended bridge has been won by Graboplan Industrie Ltd. which will carry out the project from EUR 11.3 million (~HUF 4 billion) the bridge will be approachable from the hiking trails that will be built on Várhegy and Szárhegy as well as those connected to existing roads and promenades The area of the bridgeheads can only be entered within the opening hours of the Zemplén Adventure Park The pedestrian bridge will be built of modern and durable materials in a unique rope bridge design The bridge will be an extremely motion- and vibration-sensitive structure safe only with a designed tethered wind cable system to ensure stability The walking surface of the bridge will be 1.2 meters wide and making it the longest suspension bridge in the world The bridge’s structure is a rope bridge the cables stretched between the gripping points are the main load-bearing elements of the bridge The installation and assembly of the steel structure – without rope elements – is a minimum of 140 tons