Kaschau

Kaschau (Hung. Kassa), one of the oldest and handsomest towns of Hungary, is situated in the beautiful valley of the Hernad, surrounded by vine-clad mountains, 130 miles by rail NE. of Budapest. The cathedral of St Elizabeth (built 1270-1468) is the finest Gothic edifice in Hungary. The town, which ranks as the provincial capital of northern Hungary, is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishop, has various schools, an agricultural institute, and a royal tobacco-factory; stoneware, furniture, starch, nails, and paper are also manufactured. Kaschau is celebrated for its hams. Of the Jesuit university founded here in 1659 all that now remains is the law academy. Pop. (1891) 28,884. Kaschau figured prominently during the Hungarian revolution of 1848.