Sátoraljaújhely

Prehistoric Age

Evidence of human activity in the Zemplén Mountains dates back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. Tools made from local materials such as obsidian, jasper, clay, and quartzite confirm that various prehistoric cultures lived in this region. Eastern Hungary, including the area around Sátoraljaújhely, was home to hunter-gatherer groups from the late Paleolithic Gravettian culture.^[6] In 2002, remains of a Neolithic settlement were uncovered at Bibérc-tanya, located southwest of today’s Sátoraljaújhely. These finds included pottery fragments and obsidian flakes.^[7] Further evidence of early human settlement was discovered in the 1870s along the banks of the Ronyva Creek, in the northern part of the town. This site was inhabited by a community 4,000–5,000 years ago that practiced farming and animal husbandry. The people lived in clay-plastered, partially underground houses, raised cattle, sheep, and pigs, kept dogs, and grew grains. Their tools, crafted primarily from stone, were shaped through polishing and knapping. The painted ceramics and clay figurines discovered in the Sátoraljaújhely area, which may have depicted deities, hold exceptional cultural significance for the region.^[8]

Antiquity

In the Bükk Mountains, large earth forts and fortified settlements were established, while a significant power center emerged in the Upper Tisza region. The discovery of several cemeteries in the Bodrogköz region suggests that the territory was densely inhabited. For two millennia, from the early 3rd millennium BCE to the transition between the 2nd and 1st millennia BCE, the Carpathian Basin was dominated by peoples who crafted bronze tools and weapons. Approximately 3–4 kilometers south of the present-day city, the Bibérc sand dune was inhabited for millennia by a settled community. In 2002, remnants of a settlement belonging to the Bronze Age Ottomány culture were discovered in this area, though no detailed excavations have been conducted.^[7] The Várhegy area was also inhabited during this period, yielding Bronze Age ceramic finds.^[9] In the 7th–5th centuries BCE, Transylvania and the Great Hungarian Plain were dominated by the Scythians, an Iranian-origin horse-riding pastoralist people. The region of present-day Sátoraljaújhely was situated on the frontier of their empire. In the 3rd century BCE, Celtic tribes settled in the area around present-day town. Their nearest center and fortified settlement were built on the banks of the Bodrog river, near the village of Zemplén. At that time, the region was inhabited by the Anartes tribe, while to their west lay the territory of the Cotini. In the 2nd century CE, an important trade route was established from Aquincum, the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia, passing through Hatvan and leading toward the area of present-day Miskolc, then further northeast along the Bodrog River.^[10] Evidence of these intense trade connections includes Roman coins found on the slopes of Vár-hegy in Sátoraljaújhely. Among these were coins minted by Roman emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. Additional coins linked to military activity were discovered on Sátor-hegy.^[10] By the late 4th century, East Germanic tribes such as the Vandals and Gepids, fleeing the advancing Huns, settled in the Zemplén region. At the turn of the century, the Huns themselves arrived in the area.^[10] The Huns' dominance lasted for about 150 years, but after the death of Attila, their empire rapidly collapsed. Following the demise of the Huns, the Gepids established an independent kingdom that lasted for about a century and included the territory of present-day Sátoraljaújhely.^[11]

Early Middle Ages

The Lombards, who controlled Transdanubia, formed an alliance with the Avars, based along the Lower Danube, and together they overthrew the Kingdom of the Gepids. At this time, the area of present-day Sátoraljaújhely came under Lombard rule in 557. However, their dominion was short-lived; due to the growing threat posed by the Avars, the Lombards left the Carpathian Basin and migrated to Northern Italy in 568. After their departure, the Carpathian Basin fell under the control of the Avars, leading to the establishment of the Avar Khaganate in 568.^[12] The Avar rule lasted until the early 9th century and encompassed the territory of modern Sátoraljaújhely.^[13] During this period, Slavic communities began settling in the area, as evidenced by the remains of several settlements linked to them. Whether the Avars survived to witness the arrival of the Hungarians remains a topic of debate among historians. In 1899 an excavation east of the Roman Catholic parish church in Sátoraljaújhely uncovered a grave containing human and horse bones, likely dating back to the Avar period. This type of horse burial was characteristic of the steppe peoples, supporting the idea that Avars once inhabited the region. Nearby, in the vicinity of Alsóberecki, remains of a 9th-century Avar settlement were also discovered in the late 19th century.^[13] Traces of a late Avar-era settlement, potentially Slavic or Avar, were unearthed in 2014 in an area known as Ortói-dűlő, further confirming the historical significance of the region prior to the Hungarian conquest.^[14]

Unknown Centuries (9th–12th Centuries)

No written records exist regarding the settlement of Sátoraljaújhely prior to 1261. Anonymus mentions the surrounding area in his Gesta Hungarorum, but only refers to the hill or group of hills called Sátorhalma (today known as Sátor-hegy) and the Ronyva stream and Bodrog Rivers, without mentioning any settlement. According to the work, this region was granted to Ketel by Grand Prince Árpád:^[15]

"The envoys of Duke Árpád, Oundu, father of Ethe, Ketel, father of Oluptulma, and Turzol, the Cuman warrior, whose line perished with him, coming to the River Bodrog, swam across at that place where a little river, running by Saturholmu, flows into the Bodrog. And thus having crossed the Bodrog river, when they rejoicing crossed the aforesaid little river, then by the swell of the waters and with his horse blundering, Ketel sank into the water, and with his companions’ help narrowly escaped death. Then that river was jokingly called by Ketel’s companions Ketelpotaca. And afterwards Duke Árpád gave by his grace to Ketel the whole land with its inhabitants from Satorholmu to the Tulsuoa river, and he gave not just this but more besides because, after Duke Árpád had conquered the whole land of Pannonia, he gave to Ketel for his most faithful service a great land beside the Danube where the Vág river flows."

— Anonymus, notary of King Béla III, The Gesta Hungarorum

The discovery of significant leader graves from the period of the Hungarian Conquest in the surrounding area—such as in the nearby Karos cemetery—suggests that this region likely served as an early residence for the ruling elite.

The Founding of the City (1261)

The early history of Sátoraljaújhely is uncertain, and the circumstances of its founding remain unclear. No authentic written records from the 11th–12th centuries directly reference the area of present-day Sátoraljaújhely; such records only appear in greater numbers from the 14th century onward. Additionally, no archaeological excavations of the city's core or surrounding areas have been conducted, further complicating efforts to reconstruct its early history. The official founding year of Sátoraljaújhely is considered to be 1261, when Prince Stephen (later King Stephen V) granted privileges to the inhabitants of the settlement then known as Sátorelő.^[10] As a prince, Stephen sought to advance the development of villages and towns within his domain. In 1261, he granted Sátorelő the status of a town and the accompanying privileges, including economic, administrative, and trade rights, which significantly encouraged settlement and urban development. It is unclear whether buildings already existed on the territory of the modern city before the granting of privileges, or if construction began only afterward. While it is possible that some structures were present, the privileges attracted settlers (hospites), leading later documents to describe the settlement as if it were a newly founded town. For this reason, some historians, such as István Tringli, regard the charter of privileges as an act of foundation. Following the royal settlement effort, the town's name also changed. A charter issued by King Ladislaus IV in 1282 referred to the settlement as "Sátoralja Újhely" (Saturalia Wyhel).^[16] The ethnic background of the settlers is subject to speculation. As with nearby settlements such as Bodrogolaszi, Olaszliszka or Tállya, the settlers may have included Walloons or Germans from Western Europe, though no evidence supports this. From 1307, records mention several citizens of Sátoraljaújhely by name. Many of the names documented from the early 14th century are Latinized versions of given names, which do not provide clear clues about the individuals’ ethnic backgrounds. However, these names align with the naming customs typical of medieval Hungary. They do not specifically point to Walloon or German origins, and their bearers could have been Hungarian, Slavic (including Slovaks or Poles), German, or Walloon.^[17] Over time, most family names recorded in the area took on a Hungarian form, indicating that a significant portion of the population was likely Hungarian from the town's establishment onward. Among the names from the early 14th century, two suggest a possible Slavic background: Sidlik and Ivan Tót, both of whom may have been Slovak. The occasional appearance of non-Hungarian names implies some diversity, but evidence suggests that Hungarians formed the majority of the population well into the late Middle Ages. This is further supported by a 1475 document listing several men from Sátoraljaújhely, most of whom bore Hungarian names.^[17]

Royal Estate and Internal Conflicts (13th Century)

In the second half of the 13th century, Sátoraljaújhely's economic significance grew steadily, particularly due to viticulture and winemaking, which became the town's primary source of income. While the first charter of privileges did not mention viticulture, numerous references to it appear in records from the 14th century. The fortress was likely built initially for defense against the Mongols, although the first major military conflict affecting the area occurred in 1264. That year, a civil war broke out between King Béla IV and his son, Prince Stephen, resulting in significant battles in the surrounding region. In 1281 or 1282, another conflict reached the area when Finta, a member of the clan of Aba, rebelled against King Ladislaus IV. The king spent a month in the castle of Sátoraljaújhely during the uprising. Later, in 1285, the Mongols invaded Hungary again, causing devastation in the region. However, it is unclear whether Sátoraljaújhely was directly affected by this event.^[20] Throughout this period, Sátoraljaújhely remained part of the Patak Forest Lordship, which was under the direct control of the Árpád dynasty.^[20]

The Era of the Provincial Lords (14th Century)

The extinction of the Árpád dynasty in 1301 significantly impacted the history of Sátoraljaújhely. In 1312, intense battles unfolded in the region when the sons of Amadeus Aba rebelled against King Charles I, launching attacks on the Patak Forest Lordship and the king’s supporters. The rebellion was crushed by the king on June 15 at the Battle of Rozgony. A few years later, in late 1314 or early 1315, the king faced another rebellion. The sons of Palatine Stephen from the clan Ákos, supported by the forces of Matthew III Csák, burned Sárospatak. At the end of 1316, Peter, son of Petenye and lord of Zemplén, also rebelled against the king, although little is known about the events of this uprising. The conflicts between 1312 and 1316 likely affected Sátoraljaújhely, though there is no direct evidence in contemporary sources.^[20] Under the Árpád dynasty, the Patak Forest Lordship—and with it Sátoraljaújhely—remained under royal authority. However, during the reign of Charles I, the town was granted away twice: first during the conflicts of the 1310s, and again around 1327. As a result, according to the Hungarian medieval legal norms, the town's charter of privileges became invalid, as the rights it conferred could only be exercised under direct royal rule.^[20]

The Beginning of the Perényi and Pálóci Families' Rule (15th Century)

In 1390, Nicholas Perényi, Ban of Severin, requested the Patak lordship from King Sigismund. While the king issued a charter granting the estate, Perényi did not gain ownership because Queen Mary, who held the estate, refused to consent to the donation. However, in 1392, King Sigismund exchanged the estate with Perényi, granting him Sárospatak and its dependencies. This donation did not entirely remove the estate from royal jurisdiction, as the king retained the right to reclaim it or grant it to another vassal. Ownership often remained temporary, especially if the noble family holding it died out or fell out of royal favor. Following Nicholas Perényi’s death in 1428 without heirs, Sátoraljaújhely and the Patak Forest Lordship reverted to the crown. In 1429, King Sigismund granted the Patak lordship to the Pálóci brothers: George, Archbishop of Esztergom; Mátyus, judge royal; and Emeric. Under the Pálóci family's rule, the estate expanded for the first time in decades when, in 1450, they purchased the neighboring settlement of Szépbánya, also known as Bányácska, now Rudabányácska.^[21] In 1453, after King Ladislaus V ascended the Hungarian throne and sought to stabilize the post-civil war situation, he confirmed the Pálóci family in their estates, including the Patak lordship. Between 1490 and 1492, during John I Albert of Poland's attempt to claim the Hungarian throne, the Pálóci family used the fortress at Sátoraljaújhely to block the prince’s Hungarian supporters from reaching his camp. In response, Polish forces briefly captured the fortress and the towns of Sárospatak and likely Sátoraljaújhely. In 1514, several residents of the town joined the Dozsa Rebellion, during which the mob looted the two local monasteries, seized their estates, and destroyed their charters. Despite occasional divisions of the estate among family members or its temporary mortgaging, the Pálóci family remained in possession of the Patak lordship until 1526.^[21]

Transitional Period (1567–1608)

After the Battle of Mohács, the Dobó family of Ruská laid claim to the Pálóci estates but was unable to acquire them from the Perényi family. Following the death of the last member of the Perényi family in 1567, the town reverted to royal ownership and was managed as a treasury estate. This development reopened opportunities for the Dobó family. In 1573, King Maximilian pawned the lordship to István Dobó's widow and his son, Ferenc Dobó. After Ferenc Dobó's death in 1602, the inheritance of the estate became entangled in a complex legal process. Initially, the royal treasury confiscated the estate, but after a year-long dispute, Ferenc Dobó’s widow, Zsófia Perényi, was granted possession. During the Bocskai Uprising, which began in 1604, the region saw repeated military campaigns by both royal forces and Bocskai’s hajdú troops, causing extensive devastation. In 1605, the armies of Giorgio Basta, the royal general, ravaged the town, followed by Bocskai’s hajdú troops in 1606 and 1607. Basta's forces even burned the buildings in the vineyard areas, inflicting significant damage. After 1608, the estate passed to Borbála Zeleméri and later to her daughter, Zsuzsanna Lorántffy, through whom it came into the possession of George Rákóczi I.^[22] The Dobó family and their heirs, as well as the Rákóczi family, followed the Reformed faith, and until the 1670s, the majority of the town’s population adhered to the same. The Reformation left a significant mark on the intellectual character of the town, shaping its cultural and religious life.

The Era of the Rákóczi Family (17th Century)

In 1630, King Ferdinand II renounced the right of pledge over the Patak estate and transferred it to George I Rákóczi and his wife with hereditary rights. That same year, George I Rákóczi became the Prince of Transylvania, and several members of the Rákóczi family later held this position. Although they ruled independently as princes in Transylvania, their Patak estate belonged to the territory of Royal Hungary. Like other nobles, they held these lands by royal grace, even when in conflict with the Habsburg monarch. In 1644, Nikolaus Esterházy, a royal general fighting against George I Rákóczi, devastated the Patak estate, including the Rákóczi Castle of Borša and the town of Sátoraljaújhely, which he plundered.^[24] In 1648, George I Rákóczi passed away, leaving the Patak estate to his widow, Zsuzsanna Lorántffy, and their son, George II Rákóczi.^[22] During the Rákóczi era, the nobility in Sátoraljaújhely grew; by 1648, the town had 26 privileged noble houses. The Hartai family owned the largest estate, created by merging four plots into a small domain referred to as Hartai Manor. In 1654, Zsuzsanna Lorántffy built a manor house, likely on the site of a former Augustinian monastery. However, the manor's prosperity was short-lived, as later owners of the Patak estate did not reside there, leaving the manor to decay as a partially abandoned economic building on the outskirts of town. George II Rákóczi died in 1660, and his estates were inherited by his widow, Sophia Báthory, and their son, the young Francis I Rákóczi. After her husband's death, Zsófia Báthory returned to Catholicism, converting herself and her son, thereby aligning the previously Protestant-supporting Rákóczi family with Catholicism. This marked the beginning of the Counter-Reformation in Sátoraljaújhely. On her estates, including Sátoraljaújhely, Báthory revoked the income of the Reformed Church and initiated the transfer of churches to Catholics.^[22] The Austro-Turkish War of 1663–1664 brought further hardships to the region.^[24] Francis I Rákóczi joined the Wesselényi magnate conspiracy against King Leopold I, which was uncovered in 1670. Although Rákóczi was pardoned, the Sárospatak castle was occupied by royal troops, and several nobles from Sátoraljaújhely lost their estates. Many of these predominantly Protestant nobles fled to Transylvania, where they organized armed forces.^[24] These exiled nobles later became known as the Kuruc, who launched attacks on the Patak estate occupied by royal troops in 1672 and 1678. The Kuruc attacks ended in 1682 when Francis I Rákóczi's widow, Ilona Zrínyi, married Emeric Thököly, the leader of the Kuruc forces. In 1683, royal troops withdrew from Patak, and the estate came under Thököly's control until it was retaken by the royal army in 1685. The estate and Sátoraljaújhely were then placed under treasury administration until 1688.^[24] The Kuruc attacks and the end of Thököly's rule impoverished the town's population. According to the 1688 Urbarium, only a few households remained taxable, and the estate buildings fell into decline. Visible signs of decay included the neglected manor and a burnt-down inn. In 1697, the area saw a brief peasant uprising, known in history as the Hegyalja uprising. Fifty-five residents of Sátoraljaújhely, including nobles and peasants, participated. The uprising began at the town's Assumption Day fair, where the rebels killed the Sárospatak castle's military commander and captured the castles of Patak and Tokaj, but the rebellion was suppressed within weeks.^[24] In 1693, Francis I Rákóczi's children, Julianna and Francis II Rákóczi, divided their inheritance, finalizing it in 1699. The Patak estate and the town of Sátoraljaújhely came entirely under the ownership of Francis II Rákóczi. In 1701, Rákóczi was arrested for participating in a conspiracy against the king but managed to escape to Poland. His estates, including the Patak estate, were confiscated by the royal treasury, and in 1702, the Sárospatak castle was demolished. In 1703, Rákóczi returned from Poland and launched a war against Leopold I, known as the Rákóczi War of Independence. The Kuruc forces captured the estate, restoring Rákóczi as its owner. In 1704, a fire completely destroyed the Barátszer district. Since this area was not yet integrated with the town's central parts, the fire likely caused no damage to the town itself. In 1706, the Rákóczi family established a hospital to care for the disabled and wounded. By 1710, royal troops had captured the Sárospatak castle, and Sátoraljaújhely surrendered.^[24] The Rákóczi War of Independence ended with the Treaty of Szatmár, which Francis II Rákóczi did not accept. He chose voluntary exile, first in Poland, then in France, and finally in Turkey. His estates were confiscated by the Habsburgs, marking the end of the Rákóczi family's rule over the town.

The Trautson Era (1711–1775)

From as early as 1701, the royal court considered the Patak estate a crown possession. During the Rákóczi War of Independence, in 1709, King Joseph I pledged the Patak and Regéc estates, along with several villages formerly belonging to Tokaj, to Prince Johann Leopold Donat Trautson. However, the prince could only take actual possession of these areas after the Treaty of Szatmár ended the conflict. Following this, the town of Sátoraljaújhely developed as a multi-denominational settlement, where the majority of the population was Roman Catholic, alongside significant Greek Catholic and Reformed communities. By the 18th century, the Jewish population in the town was also rapidly increasing. In 1720, King Charles VI granted the estate to Prince Trautson and his male heirs as a hereditary possession. This decision was met with protests and decades of unsuccessful legal challenges from several noble families.^[25] In May 1730, a fire destroyed large parts of the town. In August 1740, a plague epidemic struck Sátoraljaújhely, claiming 893 lives by the end of October. In 1750, the tower of the parish church was repaired, but fires in 1765 and 1768 once again damaged the church, leaving only its medieval walls, the sanctuary’s arch, and the main altar intact. As part of the nationwide resettlement policy, the Trautson estate established two German settlements in 1751 and 1752: Trautsonfalva (now Hercegkút) and Karlsdorf (now Károlyfalva). Records from 1759 indicate that the town began repopulating.^[25] However, in 1765, another fire caused significant damage to both the church and the town. By 1767, Sátoraljaújhely had its first doctor and pharmacist. In 1770, the Reformed community of Sátoraljaújhely, citing its membership of over 700, petitioned Queen Maria Theresa for permission to build a stone prayer house in the Reformed cemetery. This request was denied, and the community only succeeded in building their new church after the Edict of Tolerance was issued in 1789.^[26] During this period, the Trautson family conducted extensive investigations into the legal status of the nobles residing on the estate. In 1774, as part of Maria Theresa’s land reforms, the official urbarium of Sátoraljaújhely was prepared. During the land survey, Sátoraljaújhely was classified as a first-class estate, the highest possible ranking. The Trautson era came to an end in 1775 with the extinction of the male line of the family.^[25]

Habsburg Royal Estate (1775–1806)

After the extinction of the male line of the Trautson family, the Patak estate became a royal possession again, managed by the Habsburg treasury. From 1777 to 1783, a dedicated administrative body oversaw the estate before the chamber resumed regular management.^[25] In 1786, the Pauline order was dissolved, and its former properties were transferred to a national religious fund. The 1791 urbarium highlighted the town’s advantageous location for trade, supported by weekly markets, its status as a county seat, and the presence of Polish wine merchants. Most residents worked in viticulture, mainly as laborers rather than landowners. In 1799, a dispute arose between the town and the estate over its status. The estate claimed Sátoraljaújhely was a serf settlement, while the townspeople argued it was a town with civic rights.^[25] Throughout the 18th century, both a Pauline hospital and a municipal hospital operated, but the latter fell into disrepair by the century’s end. In 1803, the two institutions were merged, with the municipal hospital being closed. These hospitals primarily served as social care homes for the elderly and destitute, rather than functioning as medical facilities.^[26]

Bretzenheim Era (1806–1848)

In 1807, King Francis II granted the Sárospatak and Regéc estates to Prince Karl August of Bretzenheim as compensation for the loss of his Rhineland properties during the Napoleonic Wars.^[27] In 1826, the dispute over Sátoraljaújhely's status reignited when the estate administration prohibited the town from using the title "privileged town" in official documents. The town faced significant challenges during this period. In 1831, a cholera epidemic caused substantial losses among the population. In 1833, the first public hospital opened, improving healthcare services. On October 15, 1834, a morning earthquake caused minor to moderate damage to buildings but no fatalities or collapses. On July 19, 1845, flooding from the Ronyva stream destroyed several small bridges and claimed four lives.^[26]

During the Revolution and War of Independence of 1848

After the outbreak of the Revolution, Zemplén County actively participated in organizing the national guard and recruiting new soldiers for the Hungarian army. In Sátoraljaújhely, significant military and organizational activities took place. Many locals volunteered, though some were rejected due to physical unfitness. Nevertheless, those unable to join contributed to the national guard by donating money, weapons, and uniforms to support the cause.^[28] In October 1848, fears arose in Zemplén County and neighboring regions about an Austrian force of 5,000 troops under General Balthasar Simunich possibly advancing through the Dukla Pass to reinforce imperial armies near Vienna. However, the troops crossed the border near Trenčín instead. Military defenses in the area were organized by Lieutenant Colonel Sándor Pulszky and government commissioner Dániel Irányi. According to the National Defense Committee’s plan, Zemplén County fell under the 7th (Prešov) Military District for training recruits and forming battalions, with Pulszky appointed as commander. The 42nd Honvéd Battalion was established in Sárospatak, including recruits from Sátoraljaújhely.^[29] Despite accelerated training, the combat readiness of local units remained limited after just a few weeks of preparation. In the roster of the Zemplén III Volunteer Company, commanded by Captain Mezősy and consisting of 184 members (dated October 4, 1848), the names of eight residents from Sátoraljaújhely are listed. However, many more locals took up arms, including around 100 Jewish residents who joined the national guard.^[29] In December 1848, the Austrian army launched a significant offensive in Upper Hungary, creating a dire situation in Zemplén County and Sátoraljaújhely. General Franz Schlik’s forces, 8,000 strong, entered from Galicia, capturing Prešov on December 9 and advancing to Košice. This sparked panic among the local population and national guards, particularly with the appearance of Polish troops in the region. While reinforcements were sent from Sátoraljaújhely and Tállya, these units were inexperienced. By late December, Major János Besze was tasked with leading the Zemplén forces, who were enthusiastic but poorly equipped. In January 1849, Minister of Defense Lázár Mészáros sent additional troops to the region. Despite multiple attempts to resist, Hungarian forces suffered a severe defeat at Košice on January 4.^[30] Mészáros withdrew his troops to the Miskolc and Tokaj areas before resigning. On January 13, command was transferred to the young General György Klapka in Tokaj. Schlik launched an offensive on January 17 to prevent Hungarian forces from regrouping, forcing Klapka to retreat.^[30] Austrian troops, led by Major Joseph Herzmanovsky, occupied Sátoraljaújhely on January 20, though the occupation lasted only a few days. Skirmishes near Tarcal on January 22 and Bodrogkeresztúr on January 23 ended with Austrian withdrawals.^[31] On January 27, Captain József Oroszhegyi called for a local uprising, urging volunteers to assemble at Bodrogkeresztúr. Reports from scouts stationed in Mikóháza indicated enemy cavalry near Pálháza, and on January 28, Austrian troops re-entered Sátoraljaújhely with an estimated 5,000 infantry, cavalry, and five cannons. By February 2, however, they had withdrawn entirely.^[31] On June 30, Russian troops occupied Sátoraljaújhely, as detailed in Dénes Katona’s diary. The occupying force, consisting of 3,600 infantry and several hundred Cossacks, arrived via the Dukla Pass.^[32] The occupation placed significant pressure on the town’s population, with locals frequently harassed and looted by soldiers. On July 2, the town council restricted grain exports to address food supply concerns, and on July 11, it introduced smaller denomination banknotes to ease local economic difficulties. By September 1849, the so-called "German era" began in Sátoraljaújhely. Alajos Draveczky, the county president under the imperial government, replaced local leaders with loyalists to the Habsburg crown.^[32] "Unreliable" municipal officials and teachers were removed, and opposition organizations, such as the Zemplén Casino, were systematically dissolved.

The Belle Époque (1867–1914)

Following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, Sátoraljaújhely experienced rapid growth in the late 19th century, with its population tripling within 50 years. From just over 6,000 inhabitants in 1850, the town grew to 20,000 by the outbreak of World War I and reached 22,000 by 1920.^[33] This economic and demographic expansion was largely driven by the development of the Galician railway network. In 1871, the town's main railway station was built, and the first double-track railway in Hungary connected Sátoraljaújhely with Miskolc and Budapest, facilitating significant freight traffic. The completion of the Sátoraljaújhely–Homenné–Przemyśl railway line in 1872 further connected the town to areas beyond the Carpathians and to the western regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Sátoraljaújhely became a major railway hub, with lines linking it to Kraków, Lviv, and other key Galician cities.^[33] The town also became a postal center in the 1870s, enhancing its regional importance. By the turn of the century, Sátoraljaújhely had developed into a major commercial and financial center in northeastern Hungary. The Jewish community played a prominent role in establishing and advancing the town's capitalist economic structure. This period also saw significant migration, with settlers arriving from Galicia and nearby villages, contributing to the town's growth.^[33] The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw considerable urban development, shaping the town's central district as it is known today. Notable milestones included the opening of a theater in 1883, the construction of a fire station in 1888, and the establishment of sports clubs in 1890. The tobacco factory, completed in 1894, remains operational to this day. In 1896, the town established an electric power plant, and in 1900, a gymnasium and public bath were inaugurated. In 1899, Sátoraljaújhely was granted the status of a "municipal town," giving it greater self-governance. Key infrastructure projects followed: the new cemetery opened in 1901, and in 1905, the Jewish Hospital and the Zemplén County Public Hospital were both completed. That same year, the Justice Palace and penitentiary, designed by architect Győző Czigler, were built. A modern water and sewer system was launched in 1906, and in 1908, the Piarist High School's three-story building was completed. The town’s viticulture industry recovered after the phylloxera crisis of the 1890s, with vineyard reconstruction completed by 1905. This revival boosted wine trade, and in 1913–14, Sátoraljaújhely’s iconic wine hub, the "Wine Church", was built near the railway station. Its façade features Zsolnay tile mosaics depicting the crests of winemaking towns from the Tokaj region. The complex includes a 37-branch cellar capable of storing tens of thousands of hectoliters of wine.^[34] Additionally, road modernization projects were undertaken in the early 20th century. The town’s first newspaper, Zemplénmegyei Híradó (later Zempléni Híradó), began publication in 1862, followed by the Zemplén newspaper in 1870. The Compromise period ushered in a vibrant cultural life for Sátoraljaújhely. When Hungary abolished the status of market towns in 1871, Sátoraljaújhely became a large village, gradually shedding its rural character and adopting a more urban, civic lifestyle. Highly educated professionals, including teachers, doctors, engineers, and lawyers, began to settle in the town. In 1881, the Rákóczi Freemason Lodge was established, with objectives such as marking the birthplace of Francis II Rákóczi and restoring the grave and garden of Ferenc Kazinczy, including the construction of a mausoleum.^[34] The local press played a significant role in promoting the town’s cultural values, particularly in cultivating the legacies of Rákóczi, Kazinczy, and Lajos Kossuth. Their prominence grew during the Millennium celebrations, despite none of them being natives of the town. This cultural movement centered around three major events: Kossuth’s death in 1894, the return of Rákóczi’s remains in 1906, and the 150th anniversary of Kazinczy’s birth in 1909.^[34] By the 1910s, Sátoraljaújhely was known as a vibrant, cosmopolitan town with a lively intellectual and commercial atmosphere.

During World War I (1914–1920)

The Czech army occupied Sátoraljaújhely on April 30, 1919, but it was recaptured by the military forces of the Hungarian Soviet Republic on June 6. The Czechs re-entered the town on August 13 and maintained their occupation of the area until the spring of 1920.

Consequences of the Treaty of Trianon

As a result of the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, Sátoraljaújhely became a border town. Previously a significant railway hub, it was downgraded to a terminal station and remained the seat of the now truncated Zemplén County. Part of the town, located along the Ronyva Stream, was ceded to Czechoslovakia and became known as Slovenské Nové Mesto. This division caused a decline in the town’s economic growth, reduced its trade activity, and diminished its administrative and cultural significance. The Ronyva Sream became the new state border, separating the industrial area and eastern agricultural lands from the rest of the town. Following the border inspection by the Hungarian-Czechoslovak Mixed Commission in 1924, the Czechoslovak authorities returned the municipal waterworks and granted a built road for use under Hungarian administration.^[35]

Between the Two World Wars (1920–1939)

In the 1920s, many civil servants and intellectuals from the former Upper Hungary region (which corresponds to present-day Slovakia) moved to Sátoraljaújhely, as the county’s administrative structure remained at its pre-1918 size. Retirees, gendarmes, soldiers, and railway workers also settled in the town. However, local public life was limited by restricted voting rights and the persistence of the electoral system. Despite these challenges, residents organized themselves into various local communities, with religious groups and civic organizations playing particularly significant roles.^[36] Government investment in the town’s development during the interwar period was limited, though some improvements were made. A narrow-gauge railway was built along the main road, connecting Füzérkomlós in the Hegyköz region to Nyíregyháza in 1924.^[36] Unfortunately, the bridge near the village of Balsa, located on the banks of the Tisza River, was destroyed at the end of World War II, after which the railway operated only as far as Kenézlő.

In 1928, the town inaugurated its new theater building on the main square, flanked by two apartment buildings for civil servants. Between 1926 and 1928, the town constructed the headquarters of the Financial Directorate, featuring a gable adorned with a sculpture group by Zsigmond Kisfaludy Strobl depicting the Hungarian Conquest. The town was particularly active in supporting Hungarian territorial revision efforts during the interwar period. Following the First Vienna Award, from 1938 to 1944, Sátoraljaújhely regained its formerly ceded territories.^[37] In 1936, as part of the irredentist and revisionist movements, the Magyar Kálvária (Hungarian Calvary) memorial was built on Szár Hill above the town, funded by public donations. The memorial included 13 bastion-like stations representing cities lost to Hungary, the 100th National Flag at the summit, and the Saint Stephen Chapel, consecrated in 1938. These structures were destroyed in 1946 but were rebuilt after the fall of communism.

During World War II (1939–1945)

On March 22, 1944, political prisoners staged an uprising at the Sátoraljaújhely prison. The revolt was suppressed with the assistance of German military forces, resulting in 60 fatalities. In the summer of 1944, 2,567 Jewish residents of the town were deported to concentration camps. On December 3, 1944, after intense fighting, units of the Ukrainian Front liberated the town from German and allied forces.

Socialist Era (1945–1990)

Between 1945 and 1950, amateur theater thrived in Sátoraljaújhely. In 1948, religious schools, including the Piarist High School and the Carolineum Girls' Institute, were nationalized. After 1950, the town’s educational network expanded significantly. Alongside the high school, two additional secondary schools opened: the Economic Vocational School and the Viticulture Vocational School. Other institutions established during this period included a Technical School, three primary schools, a Slovak-language school, a special education school, and, from 1957, the State Music School.^[38] Until 1950, Sátoraljaújhely served as the seat of Zemplén County. However, this status was lost during the 1950 administrative reorganization, which dissolved the historic county system. That same year, following the Soviet model, the town council was established as the new local government body under the council law, and the theater building was repurposed as a Cultural Center. The 1950s also brought significant changes to local industry and administration. Factories were established, marking the beginning of state and council-driven industrial development, while private small-scale industries were suppressed. Urbanization spurred migration from nearby villages, driving a steady increase in housing construction and the development of the town’s first prefabricated panel housing estates.^[38] From the 1960s, Tokaj-Hegyalja became a closed wine region, and the state-led restructuring of viticulture and winemaking brought substantial changes to this key agricultural sector. During this time, there was a growing demand for artistic and cultural groups to preserve local traditions. Beginning in 1966, Sátoraljaújhely hosted the annual Winter Young Pioneer Olympics, which gained national recognition for the town in skiing. In 1967, the Spartacus football team won the County First Division Championship, and in 1969, the Hegyalja Folk Ensemble, now renowned beyond Hungary’s borders, was founded.^[38] In 1971, the Borkombinát (Wine Combine) was established to coordinate viticulture and winemaking in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region, with its headquarters in Sátoraljaújhely. However, tourism remained underdeveloped until the 1970s, primarily due to a lack of accommodations and high-quality hospitality services. In the early 1980s, the section of the narrow-gauge railway passing through the town was dismantled, followed by the removal of the entire network. In 1984, the town's historical exhibition was renovated, and in 1985, the Kazinczy Ferenc Society was founded, marking a significant revival in civic life. In 1988, the local monthly Újhelyi Körkép began publication.^[38]

Since the End of Communism (1990–)

The independence of Ukraine in 1991 had a direct impact on Sátoraljaújhely, allowing residents to reconnect with their relatives in Transcarpathia.^[39] The establishment of independent Slovakia in 1993 created a new geopolitical situation for the town, which became a key settlement along the Hungarian-Slovak border. Hungary and Slovakia's accession to the European Union in 2004 and their entry into the Schengen Area in 2007 opened new opportunities for cross-border cooperation. With the removal of border controls, mobility and economic relations strengthened, although the early days of Schengen integration were marked by conflicts. On the Slovak side, concrete flower boxes were used to block the road connecting the Hungarian and Slovak parts of the town, causing local tensions and international disputes.^[40][41] The regime change of 1990 and the subsequent years brought significant transformations to Sátoraljaújhely. The town’s administration, education, social services, industry, and commerce underwent multiple restructurings. The closure of many local employers and production facilities posed serious challenges to the population. After the turn of the millennium, the town faced economic decline and social issues as its most pressing challenges. The growing proportion of the Romani population raised new social and economic questions, and property prices remained below the national average, signaling increasing poverty.^[42] The town leadership saw tourism development as a way to revive the economy and made significant investments in this area. In 2002, a new sports hall was opened, and the municipal swimming pool was renovated. In 2007, the cultural center was modernized, and in 2008, the bypass section of 'Main road 37' was completed, reducing inner-city traffic and improving the town's livability. That same year, archaeological excavations began on Vár-hegy (Castle Hill). In 2009, the Zemplén Adventure Park was inaugurated, which has since been continually expanded. In the same year, the town’s main street was converted into a pedestrian zone, enhancing local tourism. In 2010, the railway station building was renovated, and in 2021, the Rákóczi Hotel, Camp, and Event Center, formerly a socialist-era children’s camp, was transformed into a modern hotel, event center and a summer camp for students. Also in 2021, the complete renovation of the abandoned "Wine Church" began, along with plans to repurpose the building. In 2024, the "Bridge of National Unity" was inaugurated, connecting the castle ruins with the Zemplén Adventure Park. That year, the municipal swimming pool and sports hall were modernized, and the fully renovated "Wine Church" reopened to the public.