Zemplén Mountains

Not to be confused with the nearby Zemplín Mountains.

Zemplén Mountains (Hungarian: [ˈzɛmpleːn]) or Tokaj Mountains (Hungarian: [ˈtokɒj]; Hungarian: Zempléni-hegység or Tokaji-hegység)^[1] is a mountain range in Hungary. The Zemplén Mountains form part of the Tokaj-Eperjes mountain chain in Hungary, known for their ecological richness and historical significance. Geographically diverse, the region contains distinct landscape areas including peripheral lowlands and isolated higher-altitude interior zones, many of which are protected as part of the Zemplén Landscape Protection Area. The mountains support considerable biodiversity, with recent studies highlighting a significant diversity of flora, mammals such as wolves, lynxes, and rare bat species, as well as unique fish communities including the Carpathian barbel and Carpathian brook lamprey. Historically, the mountains hosted several medieval Pauline monasteries, reflecting the area's longstanding cultural importance. While traditionally dependent on agriculture and forestry, the local economy now increasingly emphasises sustainable tourism, leveraging both the natural and cultural heritage of the region.

Location of Zemplén-Tokaj Mountains within physical subdivisions of Hungary

Geography

Zemplén Mountains

The Zemplén Mountains form part of the Tokaj-Eperjes mountain chain (Hungarian: Tokaj-Eperjesi-hegylánc) and are classified as medium mountains (középhegységi táj). Historically, the region was divided between two counties: Abaúj and Zemplén. The range consists of several distinct landscape regions, including the Abaúji-Hegyalja, which forms the western periphery of the mountains, and the more secluded, higher-elevation inner regions surrounded by mountain peaks.^[2]

Environmental significance

The inner parts of the Zemplén Mountains are considered one of Hungary's most valuable nature conservation areas, having undergone minimal transformation and preserving numerous natural values. A significant portion of the range is protected within the Zemplén Landscape Protection Area (Zempléni Tájvédelmi Körzet).^[2]

The landscape structure is considered exceptionally harmonious, with beautiful scenery throughout. The peripheral areas and the inhabited valleys and basins preserve numerous cultural-historical monuments, making the region deserving of the designation "historical landscape".^[2]

Biodiversity

The Zemplén Mountains support a diverse flora; a 2023 survey increased the documented number of vascular plant species from about 1350 to over 1500. This elevated richness is fostered by the area's varied topography and geology, which include acidophilous oak and beech woodlands as well as submontane meadows. Many rare or previously unrecorded species, such as Carex appropinquata, Carex cespitosa and Tephroseris aurantiaca, were been newly identified. Carpathian elements are prominent—exemplified by taxa like Anthriscus nitidus, Lunaria rediviva and Petasites albus—emphasising the region's close links to Northern Carpathian floras, while thermophilous species highlight its transitional position between Carpathian and Pannonian biogeographical zones. Certain once species-rich meadows have experienced ecological degradation due to altered land use.^[3]

The Zemplén Mountains also support a diverse mammalian fauna, with records (as of 2000) documenting 67 species, accounting for roughly 78% of Hungary's known mammalian diversity. The area's relatively undisturbed and heterogeneous habitats provide conditions suitable for various groups, including insectivores, rodents, and ungulates that commonly inhabit forests, pastures, and agricultural lands. The region harbours rare bat species, such as the Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale), pond bat (Myotis dasycneme), greater noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus), and Schreiber's bat (Miniopterus schreibersii). Large carnivores, such as the wolf (Canis lupus) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), underline the area's ecological significance. Specific threats, including habitat degradation from forestry practices, loss of grasslands, poaching, and human disturbance, pose risks to various mammals, notably water-dependent species such as the European otter (Lutra lutra) and Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens), as well as tree-roosting bats and larger predators. Conservation of old-growth forests, grasslands, and aquatic ecosystems remains essential for sustaining this biodiversity.^[4]

The aquatic habitats of the Zemplén Mountains harbour a diverse fish community, with recent surveys documenting 13 species across multiple watercourses. Of particular conservation importance is the Carpathian barbel (Barbus carpathicus), which inhabits several streams including Kemence, Gönci, Csenkő, and Tolcsva. Other alpine species such as the chub (Squalius cephalus), spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus), and common minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) were frequently recorded. The presence of protected species, such as the rare Carpathian brook lamprey (Eudontomyzon danfordi), underscores the ecological significance of these aquatic habitats. Despite this richness, the streams are severely affected by human disturbances, including pollution from domestic waste and infrastructural barriers like weirs and road crossings, which impede fish migration and threaten the long-term survival of sensitive species.^[5]

Economy and human settlement

Füzéri vár (Füzér Castle) in the Zemplén Mountains

The population of the Zemplén Mountains, both historically and currently, primarily depends on agriculture and forestry. However, modern economic challenges have affected these traditional livelihoods, as fewer people can make a living from forestry, and the agricultural lands are less suitable for modern farming methods.^[2]

Tourism based on the region's natural and cultural heritage has been identified as a potential future economic driver for the area. Development within the Zemplén Landscape Protection Area and its surroundings aims to capitalise on these landscape features to provide sustainable livelihoods for local populations.^[2]

Cultural and historical significance

The Zemplén Mountains contain the ruins of several significant medieval Pauline monasteries, which according to recent archaeological literature are collectively referred to as the Abaúj-hegyaljai monasteries. These include:^[2]

• Gönc "Szent Mária" (Saint Mary) Monastery: Built between 1365–1371 on the eastern slope of Dobogó Hill at an elevation of about 335 metres. Located about 5 km from Gönc and 3.5 km from Telkibánya, with the ruins now being a popular hiking destination.
• Göncruszka "Szent Katalin" (Saint Catherine) Monastery: Founded in 1338 at the western foot of Borsó Hill on the periphery of the mountains. The monastery ruins are no longer visible above ground, but the remains of its fish pond and dam are in relatively good condition.
• Regéc "Szentháromság" (Holy Trinity) Monastery: Located in a small basin within the interior of the mountains on a gently sloping ridge following the foot of Kis-Bekecs Hill at an elevation of about 420 metres. It was about 1.5 km from Regéc village and 3 km from Regéc Castle.
• Óhuta (originally Regéc) "Szent Fülöp és Jakab" (Saint Philip and James) Monastery: Founded before 1307, built on the southwestern slope of Kis-Királyos at an elevation of about 320 metres. This monastery was situated in the most secluded landscape of the four, in Hungary's only Carpathian-type valley (Háromhutai Valley).^[2]

These monasteries were built in the early-to-mid 14th century and functioned until the mid-16th century. Their locations were carefully chosen based on specific landscape characteristics including elevation (typically 320–340 metres, with Regéc being an exception at 420 metres), exposure (avoiding unfavourable northern and southern exposures), distance from settlements (typically 4–5 kilometres), and access to water sources (springs, streams, and locations suitable for fish ponds).^[2]

Tourism and heritage

The Zemplén Mountains already feature many nationally recognised tourist destinations. These include: natural hiking areas; villages preserving folk architectural traditions; economic and industrial historical monuments; historically significant castles, churches, and other architectural monuments. The Pauline monastery ruins, although currently less explored and known to the public, represent elements of medieval Hungarian history and culture. Their excavation, preservation, and incorporation into tourism routes could serve as additional points of interest while relieving pressure on more vulnerable natural areas. Three of the monasteries are located near marked tourist trails, with the exception of the Göncruszka monastery.^[2]