Erlau

Erlau (Hung. Eger), a city of Hungary, on the river Erlau, 89 miles NE. of Pesth by rail. The archiepiscopal cathedral, built since 1837, at a cost of £67,000, is a domed cruciform building, 328 feet long. The lyceum (1761-99) has a valuable library and an observatory; and there is a richly-endowed hospital (1830). Two warm baths are much resorted to. The Erlau wine is the best red wine of Hungary. Pop. (1870) 19,150; (1890) 22,427. Dating from 1010, Erlau suffered much at the hands of the Turks, who held it from 1596 till 1687.