A few communities of Hegyköz that once belonged to Abaúj County joined the Zemplén region following the loss of their capital, Kassa, to the Slovakians. Where Tokaj-Hegyalja ends at Sátoraljaújhely, the Hegyköz begins on the eastern side of the Zemplén mountain as the northernmost region of Hungary. The valley, surrounded by hills 400-700 metres high and by the Great Milic on the north, was formed by volcanic activity and land movements. There are twenty one small communities along little brooks and in the Bózsva Creek valley as well as in the foothills.

Most villages originated from the Middle Ages. During the Árpád era they belonged to the Bailiff of Sárospatak. In those days life was affected by the castle and estate of Füzér. From 1686 the Károlyi estate of Füzérradvány had impact on the development of the region. From that date up to 1945 the Károlyi Family was the largest landlords of Hegyköz.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, due to Reformists and Kuruts uprising, the Hungarian population almost died out. The newcomers were Ukrainians from SubCarpathia, and Slovakians. Their ethnic background is colourful and many elements of their culture, that are from the area of Northeastern Carpathia, are noticeable.

The flora is very profuse - from the valleys with their alder, hornbeam and oak forests to the upper regions that are covered by birch. Game is the jewel of these hills, including deer, wild boar and a type of wild sheep called moufflon. The land surrounding the Füzér Fortress is a nature preserve. It has a few rare plants like the mountain fern, Stonecrop, Rockpanic and Racemous Rockgrass. In the Zemplén mountains an occasional adder can appear alongside hiking trails on the sun-baked rocks.

From the Hegyköz a scenic road takes you to the valley of the Hernád river through Pálháza, Bózsva, Telkibánya, or via Hollóháza and Kéked. The road winds through the small, historical villages of Gönc, Vizsoly and Boldogkováralja towards historical remains.

The breathtaking scenery is visited by thousands annually. Perhaps the most popular community is Széphalom near Sátoraljaújhely where Kazinczy Ferenc once lived. There is a Remembrance Hall where his house used to be. It was designed by Ybl Miklós. The neo-classical building with its carved stone inserts resembles a Greek temple. There is a regular exhibit inside dedicated to the life and work of Kazinczy Ferenc. This unique park is a protected area. Members of the Kazinczy family are buried under century old trees.

A monument was erected in the nearby village of Alsóregmec to mark the property of the great author's parents. Felsoregmec also belonged to the estate of the Kazinczys. The most significant artifact in this area, a church from the 12th-13th century, is also found in the same community.

The 300 acre castle Park of Füzérradvány is of national importance and a nature preserve. The road that leads to the park is lined with 130 year old pine trees. The Károlyi Family made the property into an English style park after it served as a game preserve. The family hired Ybl Miklós to design the Károlyi Castle in the 1850's. It was then, that it acquired its romantic yet eclectic style.

The fortress of Füzér was one of the earliest strongholds of Hungary. It was built after the Tartars swept across the country. The fact that the Royal Crown was kept there following the defeat by Turks at Mohács shows Füzér's significance. The walls were blown apart by the Habsburg's imperial troops in 1676. Its most intact piece is the Gothic chapel and the arched cellar beneath it.

Hollóháza became internationally famous for its china. Its museum exhibits the factory's products, from the past and today. The modern community church was designed by Csaba László. The interior's portrayals of Christ are the works of the celebrated artists, Kovács Margit and Somogyi József.