Its castle, built by Andrew II, is traditionally identified as the birthplace of his daughter Saint Elizabeth.

The residents of the town took an active part in the revolution and war of independence against Habsburg rule led by Francis II Rákóczi between 1703 and 1711.

In 1650 Zsuzsanna Lorántffy, widow of George I Rákóczi prince of Transylvania invited the famous Czech educator John Amos Comenius to Sárospatak.

Following organizational changes, the educational institution has operated under the name Tokaj-Hegyalja University since 2021, offering courses in viticulture and enology, teaching, tourism and catering, economics, and IT.

In 1631 Hutterites from Alvinc (today Vințu de Jos, Romania) came to Sárospatak for construction work.

After the outbreak of World War II, wealthy Jews and members of the community administration were arrested and imprisoned in a concentration camp.

On April 15, 1944, a few weeks after the German army entered Hungary, a temporary ghetto was established in the city's Jewish school building where the wealthy among the local Jews were tortured to extort confessions about burying property.