The first Turkish occupation ended in 1593, whereupon Zsigmond Forgách became the landed proprietor of the town and the captain of the fortress at the same time.

One of the most glorious parts of the town history is linked with the war of independence in 1703 against Habsburgs by Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II.

1737 is a remarkable date in the life of the town as the Forgách repurchased their property from Koháry family.

The town began a slow development in the 18th century, a lot of private houses were built and the first pharmacy of the county was opened in 1741.

In spite of the situation, a town hall was built in 1905 and the municipality organized a brilliant commemorative Rákóczi festival on the 200th anniversary of the 1705 Diet.

After the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, following the First World War, Szécsény became a frontier town, which has hindered its development until the present day.

As a result, several institutions and offices were closed down, e.g. the district court, the title registry, the central police station, and the high school.

Two other settlements belong to Szécsény's current administration, though: Pösténypuszta, located beside the River Ipoly, and Benczúrfalva, 4 kilometres (2 miles) away.

Szécsény lies in the northern part of Nógrád county on the Slovak border, at the edge of the Ipoly valley.

The town is situated at a height of 155 metres (509 feet) above sea level in a small basin along the River Ipoly at the intersection of Northern, Northeast, and Eastern Cserhát hills.

The major part of the town was built on a plateau extending along the southern edge of the basin.

Its geographical position is 48° 5" N, 19° 32" E. The Szentlélek ("Holy Spirit") is a stream running through the town along the edge of the plateau and flowing into the Ipoly.

After the transformation of regime the town assigned a substantial sum for extension the public utility services to 100%.

Every property of the settlement has accessibility to piped water and sewage network as well as to pipeline gas.

On the basis of treaty between Hungarian and Slovak Government, in Postenypuszta, which belongs to Szecseny, the building of a bridge on river Ipoly will begin soon.

The cultural centre sponsors the Ferenc Erkel mixed-voice choir that has been performing for 30 years.

The local government maintains the following educational institutions: - Kindergarten: The teachers do high quality pedagogic work in the three buildings of the nursery school.

The following institutions are maintained by the county self-government: - The School of Arts: The music section is fairly successful.

Social welfare, healthcare, unemployment Three general practitioners and two paediatricians work in Szécsény as entrepreneurs.

More and more people appeal to holistic medicine practitioners whose work is co-ordinated by one of the paediatricians in the framework of a medical centre.

The present data of the unemployment show that approximately 1,000 inhabitants are entitled to a form of social allocations the major part of which is financed by the local authority.

Our figures, which were published by the Employment Centre of Nógrád County, relate to Szécsény and its region.

The Clarissa nuns (Franciscan Order of Poor Clares) undertake the task of nursing of great importance.

The local authority maintains a Tourinform office, which works together with the Handicrafts’ Society in the renovated building of Handicraftsman's House.

The display of the unique historic relics will be advanced when we form closer co-operation with the Franciscan order.