Castle with a red roof in Hungary. Excursions to the castles of western Hungary. group. Wonderful atmosphere of a marvelous corner
Hungary is located in Central Europe, so it was not spared by the main historical events of the continent. It had a direct impact on the architecture. During the period of attack from the Turks and other neighbors on the mainland, local rulers had to build many castles and fortresses in order to keep at least part of the country in their hands. Some of the fortifications have survived to this day and have become tourist sites.
With the choice of names in Hungary, they didn’t think much. Often castles and fortresses are named after the cities in which they were built, or by the names of the families behind the construction. Now most of them have been reconstructed. The restored buildings have been given over to museums, like Vajdahunyad and Sümeg, or converted into hotels, following the example of Gresham's palace.
The best palaces and castles in Hungary
The most interesting and beautiful medieval fortresses. List, photos with names and descriptions!
1. Buda Castle
The first residence of the kings in Budapest was founded on this site in the middle of the 13th century. During its existence, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The current ensemble is a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Since the 60s of the last century, both the exterior and the interiors have been restored. You can get to the fortress both by regular transport and by funicular. Since 1987, it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
2. Vaidahunyad
Built in Budapest as part of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the country. It is based on the project of Ignaz Alpar. The architect combined several styles and made references to other familiar buildings in Hungary. Initially, it was just a pavilion, but the attraction was to the taste of both locals and tourists, so the castle was rebuilt thoroughly. Now the exposition of the agricultural museum is located inside.
3. Bori
The most romantic castle in Hungary. Located an hour from Budapest. It was built over 40 years, starting in 1912. Architect Jeno Bori dedicated the project to his wife Ilona. Her images adorn the castle along with sculptures of kings and frescoes. In 1980, Borya's grandchildren carried out a reconstruction. Now most of the premises are open to the public. Newlyweds arrange photo shoots here.
4. Brunswick
The castle is located in Martonvashar, which is 30 km from the capital. Famous for its neo-Gothic style and the English park, which spreads over 70 hectares. The name is given by the name of the family that initiated the construction. Beethoven visited Brunswick. This was the reason for the opening of the museum of the composer in the castle. A museum of the history of kindergartens is based nearby, as Theresia Brunswick founded the first such institution in the country.
5. Visegrad fortress
Built on the ruins of an ancient Roman fort in the 13th century. In its original form, it stood for a couple of centuries, and then was successively destroyed by the Turks and Austrians. Already in our century, the Vysehrad fortress was decided to be restored and used as a tourist attraction. There is a wax museum on the territory. Some rooms have been restored. In the courtyard, those who wish can shoot from a bow.
6. Sümeg Fortress
It is considered the oldest surviving in the country. It has been standing on a hill since the 11th century. Here converged together many transport routes. The 13th century tower is reserved for the weapons museum. His collection is not limited to pistols and daggers. Among the exhibits: armor, archaeological finds, household items and even old carriages. A torture chamber has also been recreated, terrifying visitors.
7. Esterhazy
This castle is also called the "Hungarian Versailles". The official name is derived from the name of the family that owned it. Built in the city of Fertod in 1720. The architectural style is rococo. It was built in a short time. During World War II, there was a hospital here. Now part of the building is reserved for the hotel. The Opera House, the Orange House, the Puppet Theater and the Musical House are also open here.
8. Festečić Palace
The main attraction of the city of Keszthely. Built on the coast of Lake Balaton in the 18th century. The appearance is copied from the architectural masterpieces of France. Named after the family that stood at the origins of the palace. Festečić currently hosts members of the scientific community for lectures and conferences. Several halls are reserved for a museum of weapons, and a library is located on the second floor.
9. Godelle Palace
One of the most luxurious and largest facilities of this type in the country. It is located in the city of the same name, 30 km from Budapest. The palace dates back to the 18th century and was repeatedly rebuilt, new wings were added, but the style remained strict. Around the park is laid out, occupying 29 hectares. In the 90s of the last century, the architectural masterpiece was in a terrible state. Restoration in the main part of the building has already been completed.
10. Diosgyor Fortress
The most musical in Hungary. Situated in Miskolc since the 14th century. On the approaches to the fortress, tourists get acquainted with the reserved chestnut alley. The acoustics of the halls make it possible to hold musical performances, historical performances and festivals of various kinds in Diosgyor. In addition, exhibits of the museum of medieval weapons, archaeological finds, as well as wax figures are exhibited in the halls.
11. Eger Fortress
The first buildings on this site appeared in the 13th century, and the current appearance took shape three centuries later. First of all, the fortress is famous for the battle of the Hungarians with the Turks, when the latter were 40 times more numerous. The defenders withstood a siege that lasted 33 days. According to legend, they were helped by a local special wine called "Bull's Blood". Now staged jousting tournaments are held here in the summer months.
12. Koseg
Founded in the 13th century. It has changed in appearance throughout its history. In front of the entrance stands a monument to Miklós Jurišić, the captain who led the defense of the city during the attack of the Turks. After the restoration, the fortress was taken under the local history museum. In it, the exhibits are divided into several separate topics. Other premises housed a mini-hotel, a cultural center and a fortress theater.
13. Battyani
The name is the surname of the family who built the castle in the 17th century. The location of the fortress near the thermal resort of Kehidakushtani attracts the attention of a large number of tourists. There is a vast park around. Here there are trees whose age exceeds three centuries. At the moment, the Batthyani Family Hotel and Museum operate within the walls of the castle. The latter has a portrait gallery and an interactive exhibit.
14. Nadashdi
The main architectural attraction of the resort town of Sharvar. The medieval building in the Gothic style is recognized as a historical monument. The exact date of construction is unknown. The castle was first mentioned in documents in 1288. One of the local beauties is the frescoes on the ceilings and walls. They describe scenes from the Old Testament. Now the halls of the castle are given over to museums, a library and a wedding palace.
15. Gresham Palace
Built in the capital at the beginning of the last century near the Danube embankment. It was conceived as an office and residential complex in the Art Nouveau style. Some time after the Budapest operation, soldiers of the Red Army were located in the palace. Now changed purpose and converted into an expensive hotel. During the reconstruction, some original details of the interior decoration were preserved, for example, decorative grilles and the main staircase.
16. Szigliget Fortress
Dated to the 60s of the XIII century. It stands on Castle Hill, and from the top point offers a panoramic view of Lake Balaton. The fortress participated in battles with the Turks. It was rebuilt in the 17th century, and less than a century later it was destroyed by order of the Austrian authorities. Since the 90s of the last century, restoration work and excavations have been carried out. One of the curious finds is underground passages and labyrinths.
17. Gyula Fortress
It is located on the banks of the Körös River. The fortress was built in the XIV century as part of the fortification of cities during the confrontation with the Turks. Military conflicts could not but affect the appearance of the sights. It survived and was preserved for posterity, but went through a full-scale restoration. This is the only brick fortress of its time in Europe that was not destroyed.
18. Tati
After the Turks marched through most of Hungary and captured the cities on their way, Tati became the main fortress of the country. But in the 16th century it also lost its independence, subsequently changing many owners. The location on the shore of the lake gives the monumental structure a romantic look. The castle has lost its former luster. The halls and courtyard area are open to the public, but the attraction has not yet been fully restored.
19. Rackeve
The castle was built in the first half of the 18th century. Originally belonged to the Prince of Savoy - the famous commander and winner of the Turks. Inside - stucco and decorative patterns, the balustrade is decorated with mythological figures. At present, the architectural monument has become an expensive hotel, which has only 28 unique in appearance and comfortable rooms. There is a park with alleys and figured flower beds around.
20. Shiklosh fortress
One of the best preserved in the country. A fine example of medieval Hungarian architecture. At the same time, part of the premises and halls were built in the 18th century. There are several museums in the fortress. The most unusual is the museum of leather gloves. Music festivals are held during the summer. The variety of genres is impressive, both modern bands and brass bands perform.
21. Boldogko
It is located near the border with Slovakia. The castle dates from the 13th century. Its construction is connected with the lack of a sufficient number of fortifications in the country, because of which the enemy easily captured part of the kingdom. The ruins were brought into proper form in the noughties. At the same time, the object was equipped with passages convenient for tourists, and several exhibitions were organized. The watchtower offers a breathtaking view of the area.
22. Pipo
The castle was founded by the commander and banker Pipo Ozorai. A typical defensive structure of its time. At the moment, an exhibition area is located on the territory of the medieval landmark. Permanent exhibition - paintings telling the history of Hungary. Armor and hunting trophies can be seen in the restored halls. Open to tourists all year round, but not all days of the week.
23. Fuser
The fortress was built on top of a rocky cliff even before the invasion of the horde in the XIII century. Füser is famous for the fact that the Hungarian crown was kept here for a year. The best time to visit the attraction is August, when a festival called "Fuzer Fortress Days" is held. At any time of the year, a breathtaking view opens from the observation deck. Reconstruction has been going on for several years.
24. Bishop's Palace
A new residence for bishops was built in the 18th century in Veszprem. More time was needed to complete the work due to the death of the architect. Although the building belongs to the Baroque style, it is practically devoid of decorative decorations. But the interior decoration is richly decorated. There are many frescoes in the chapel, and several rooms are reserved for an art gallery. The palace is open to tourists from May to mid-October.
25. Shimontornya
The name translates as "Simon's tower". The building dates back to the 13th century. It is located among the swampy areas of the Sio River. Each new owner sought to rebuild the castle in his own way. The style repeatedly changed dramatically, for example, from Gothic to Renaissance. Simontornya looks compact, although the rooms inside are spacious. For 150 years, the tower belonged to the Turks and almost did not change.
Popular castles in Hungary: modern, medieval and ancient castles. Photos of castles in Hungary.
Any unesco
Hungarian castles have been standing on this land for centuries, absorbing the history that continues its course into the pores of the stone walls, silently watching the events taking place, the rulers replacing each other, how quickly and inexorably time moves forward. Today in Hungary there are more than 3 thousand fortresses, palaces and castles. Eight hundred of them have been declared monuments of architecture and are under state protection. It is hard to imagine how to visit each one, but seeing some of them, passing through the monumental gates, strolling through the majestic halls with their elegant crystal chandeliers and beautiful antique furniture is without a doubt worth it.
There are more than three thousand fortresses, palaces and castles in Hungary. Eight hundred of them have been declared monuments of architecture and are under state protection.
Perhaps the most famous Hungarian historical castle-fortress is the Buda Castle, the residence of the Hungarian kings in the country's capital, Budapest. In fact, this is a whole palace complex located on the banks of the Danube, which has no equal in Europe. There are buildings in the Gothic style and intricate Baroque, in which, after the last reconstruction, most of the palace was made. This royal residence was built in the 14th century and has seen many monarchs and entire dynasties ... Today, this castle is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
One of the largest castles in Hungary - Festetics - was built in the 18th century in the style of French country houses. Thanks to this, it is distinguished by a rich and refined exterior decoration, and the palace interiors amaze with grace, beauty and splendor, decorated with fireplaces, luxurious furniture, huge paintings in gilded frames.
No less famous is the Hungarian Brunsvik Castle, located 30 km from the capital in the picturesque village of Martonvasar, surrounded by the incredible beauty of a classic English park, which is considered a protected area. Now the Brunsvik palace complex serves as the residence of the Research Institute of Agriculture of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. In addition, the Beethoven Museum, who himself was a friend of the Brunswick family, and the Museum of the History of Kindergartens are located here.
If you like mysteries and creepy stories, you have a direct road to the Hungarian city of Vysehrad, where there is a fortress in which, according to legend, Count Dracula was once imprisoned. The Visegrad Fortress was built according to the canons of South German architecture and is now a museum located on five levels of the fortress. The most popular among tourists is the citadel, in addition to it, the complex includes the upper castle, the lower castle and the royal palace. Everything here is decorated with amazing beauty and splendor: fine carvings covering doors and window frames, towers looking up at the sky, well-kept gardens.
Very close to Budapest is one of the largest palace complexes in Europe - the Grasszalkovich Palace, otherwise known as Gödöllő Castle, so called by the area where it is located. This baroque castle was built in the town of the same name in the 18th century and is considered the second largest palace complex after Versailles. During its history, the castle managed to visit the residence of kings, then undergo massive destruction during the Second World War, and in 2007 undergo a complete restoration. Today, this magnificent historical monument is admired by tourists from all over the world.
Fertöd Castle, better known as the Esterhazy Palace, is one of the most luxurious baroque palace and park ensembles in Hungary. It was named after the nearby town, but the glory of the famous noble family of Esterhazy overshadows the less intricate name. Moreover, this dynasty is well known even outside the country for its craving for wealth, reflected in the castle with a bright and luxurious appearance.
Do not ignore one of the most beautiful castles in Hungary - Shashvar, which is located among centuries-old pine trees on the northern slope of the Matra mountain range, near the city of Matrahaz. This castle is an example of neo-Renaissance architecture of the second half of the 18th century with elements of earlier classicism. Although its name is translated as "Eagle's Fortress", there has never been a fortified family nest or a hunting lodge - rather, Shashvar has always been a luxurious country residence. Now it houses a five-star hotel.
Battyani Castle is located in a delightful resort area near the thermal lake Heviz, Kehidakushtani baths and Lake Balaton, almost lost among the hills of Zala. Once owned by a family of Hungarian magnates, it was built in the middle of the 17th century and then rebuilt once a century. Today, the castle is a hotel-museum with a chic three-hundred-year-old park for leisurely walks and picnics.
Another castle hotel - Heredvar - is located in western Hungary near the Slovak border, not far from Budapest and Vienna. This is the former property of the noble Hungarian Heder family, immersed in a park of over 10 hectares of hundred-year-old trees. This renaissance castle towers majestically above the surrounding landscape. Once upon a time, a fortress built in the 12th century towered on this place, which was repeatedly completed and reconstructed. Now it is a hotel that has preserved the spirit of the times, with antique furniture and excellent conditions for recreation.
Worthy of attention of every connoisseur of antiquity and history are many other beautiful castles of Hungary, among which are such well-known as Vajdahunyad, Wimpfen, Rackeve, Pipo and many other masterpieces of architecture, silent witnesses of the historical changes in the country that have taken place over the centuries.
the very best
Festeich Palace
Keszthely, Kastely street, 1
On the northwestern shore of Lake Balaton there is the city of Keszthely, where the Festeich Palace is located - one of the most picturesque and largest castles in the country. 18th century built, it is similar to the French palaces of that time, and is distinguished by the luxury of interior decoration and the magnificence of the facade.
These three old fortresses, located in the north of Hungary, near the border of Slovakia in the Zemplen mountains, are united not only by the geographical location, but also by the time of construction. All three castles were built or first mentioned in the 13th century. The most easily accessible, interesting and preserved of them is Boldogko (it is also the most visited), while Fuzer and Regets are practically ruins. However, restoration work is being carried out in the Fuzer fortress, although very slowly, as I noticed. In any case, heading from the Hungarian Miskolc, where, by the way, there are wonderful thermal springs in the caves, towards Slovakia we stopped at all three fortresses, since they are located very close to each other. For the sake of clarity, I will perhaps attach a small map of the location of the castles. And in the title picture is the Boldogko fortress, a powerful and well-preserved fortification.
Here is, directly, a map of the area with castles marked on it. Not quite, of course, a kind of triangle, but they are located nearby, in the same region, although it will probably be problematic to get to these places without a car. 
At first I wanted to make three different posts about each castle separately, but then I decided to combine all three together for convenience. Moreover, there is little information in general, but more photos. As for the first, best preserved, Boldogko castle, it was built in the 13th century, like many of its counterparts in this part of Hungary, in order to protect the Kingdom of Hungary from raids from the north and east (the Mongol-Tatars are supposed to be formidable at that time) . The exact date of construction is unknown, but Boldogko was first mentioned in 1282. Many times the castle passed from hand to hand by donation, it was owned by royal persons, the Hungarian nobility and aristocrats, rebuilding and equipping it as they wish. The name of the castle translates as "Lucky Stone", as it was named after the Ottoman invasions of Hungary. The fortress is located high on a rock at the foot of the Zemplenskaya Upland (it is also called Tokay, as Tokay, famous for its wines, is located nearby). Boldogko receives visitors from March 1 to October 31, there are several small expositions here: archaeological, military, historical and others. In the last decade, a massive reconstruction was carried out in the castle (most likely with EU money), two towers were built, and an observation platform was also equipped on the very edge of the castle rock. In general, I noticed that now in Hungary such places are being reconstructed very actively. So, for example, in Eger there is a fairly well-known castle and you can go there, but restoration and archaeological work is underway throughout its territory. Therefore, lovers of such structures should come a year or two later. 
The next fortress is Regets, also known as the fortress of Ferenc II Rakoczi, the Hungarian prince and leader of the anti-Habsburg national liberation movement in the early 18th century. Rakoczi spent part of his childhood years in this castle. By the way, later, his family moved to Mukachevo Castle on the territory of modern Ukraine. Regets is perhaps the most inaccessible place of all three, as it is located directly on one of the high hills of the Zemplenskaya Upland. The castle was built on a rock of volcanic origin 624 meters high. The history of the emergence of the fortress is absolutely identical to the previous one, Regets was first mentioned in 1298, at the end of the 13th century the Kingdom of Hungary actively strengthened its northern borders, they were very much afraid of the Mongol-Tatar raids in 1241, which, led by Batu, pretty beat up the Hungarian army. The Mongol invasion, by the way, then contributed to the strengthening of ties with Catholic Europe. Regets Castle was destroyed in 1686 during the Ottoman occupation and has never been restored, except for cosmetic restoration work in our time. 
Fortress Fuzer was first mentioned in 1264, and whether it was built before the Tatar invasion or after, it is not known exactly. The castle belonged to King Bela IV and his family, and then to the powerful Aba clan, who ruled in this region independently of the king. During the Renaissance, the castle was expanded and completed, so it looks a little more modern than its counterparts. Although I liked the second castle most of all, Regets, which is located in a very picturesque place. And here, in Fuzer, at some point in the 16th century, the Hungarian crown was hidden (usually it was kept in Vysehrad). This happened after the Battle of Mohacs, where the Ottomans defeated the Hungarian army. There is also a version that Elizabeth Bathory, notorious for the massacres of young girls, was hiding here. Although this fact is unverified, since most of the documents about the Bathory family were destroyed by order of the authorities. The castle was destroyed by Austrian troops during the already mentioned anti-Habsburg uprisings. 
Other castles and fortresses.
The majestic building in Buda, flaunting on top of a mountain, is visible from virtually anywhere in Budapest. It is rare that a tourist who comes to the capital ignores an excursion to this legendary place. The Royal Palace originally (in the XIII century) consisted of three fortresses, but the Tatar-Mongol and Turkish invasions made their own adjustments to the architecture of the building. The castle was revived more than once, but the current baroque style appeared only in 1714. World War II thoroughly damaged the interior and walls of the palace - there was a strong fire. In the post-war years, the Hungarians lovingly restored the premises, equipping the castle according to the latest technologies. Now this place is the pride of the Hungarians and a point of pilgrimage for many tourists who worship history. Here is the National Gallery of the country, the Museum of the History of Budapest, the Central Library. Széchenyi, as well as the Museum of Modern Art. The outer territory of the Palace is no less meaningful than the inner one - from the outside you can see the famous huge sculpture of the bird Turul, the equestrian statue of E. Savoy, the tower of St. Stephen, a bronze fountain in the form of a group of hunters led by the leader - King Matyas. Coordinates: Budapest Szent György tér 2. Entrance fee - 1400 Hungarian forints (slightly more than 6 US dollars).
Fortress Diosgyor - the musical pride of the country
A 4-hour drive from the capital - in the city of Miskolc is the most musical fortress in Hungary. Diosgyor is the creation of the hands of King Laois the Great, which appeared in 1364. Previously, the fortress was located outside Miskolc, covering the eastern slopes of the Bükk Mountains, but now the building is included in the city line. The approach to the fortress is decorated with a protected alley of wild chestnuts. The internal content of Diosgyor consists of the Museum of Medieval Weapons, galleries of wax figures and a hall of archaeological monuments. The main feature of the fortress lies in the special acoustics of the courtyard, thanks to which it becomes a place for organizing exciting festivals, musical celebrations and summer historical shows. You can get to the historical site by public transport (trolleybus or tram number 1). In summer, the fortress is open from 9.00 to 18.00, and the rest of the time - until 17.00. Weekend ticket price: adults 1100 forints ($5), students, pensioners and children under 6 years old - 800 forints ($3.5). On weekdays, the cost for both categories is reduced by 200 forints. Diosgyor coordinates: Miskolc, Vár u. 24.
Brunswick Castle - English style
Brunsvik is the most striking Neo-Gothic castle, with a large (70 ha) English park, located in Martonvasar (30 km from Budapest).
Now it houses the Agricultural Research Institute, the Beethoven Museum and the Museum of the History of Kindergartens. The famous composer visited the Brunsvik family more than once and even wrote the famous “Apassionata” here, and Theresia Brunsvik distinguished herself by opening the first kindergarten in Hungary. On weekends, Brunswick is open from 10.00 to 18.00, and on weekdays - until 16.00. The entry price is 2650 forints ($12). Address - Martonvásár, Brunszvik utca 2.
The creation was erected by the architect Yeno Bori as a token of love for his wife, Ilona. Construction lasted 40 years, starting in 1912. The end of the project was first prevented by the war, and then by a lack of funds. The creator sold his paintings and sculptures, and invested all the proceeds in construction, which he did until the end of his days. The castle is rich in images of his beloved wife, sculptures of the kings of Hungary and fresco decorations. In the yard of "Bori" there is a romantic chapel with a monument of marital love. It should be noted that Ilona survived Jeno by 15 years, which she spent in the castle in memories of a happy family union. In 1980, the grandchildren of the romantic couple reconstructed the building. Today this place is popular with lovers and newlyweds who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of romance and the love story carried by the Bori family throughout their lives. How to get here? From Budapest 1 hour by train and then bus number 32 or number 31. "Bori" is available for tourists from 9.00 to 17.00 and is located at: Székesfeheérvár, Máriavölgy út 54. Entrance fee: 800 forints (3.5 dollars) - adults and 400 forints (less than $2) - pensioners and students.
Not only Romania is famous for the habitats of Dracula, there is a similar attraction shrouded in secrets in Hungary - in the city of Vysehrad. The fortress was built in the 14th century by order of the ruler of the country, Karoly Robert. Later, Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg and Vlad Tepes III (Dracula) were alternately imprisoned within the walls of the fortress. According to one of the legends, in the cellars of the fortress, Vlad the Kolosazhatel mocked the captured animals. And another version of the story says that having arrived in Hungary, Tepes settled down and in the Visegrad fortress was not in captivity, but under "house arrest". Soon, Vlad Dracula, having secured the favor of the king, married his cousin, and the couple lived happily and for a long time in Solomon's tower. Be that as it may, Dracula's castle bears its name by right and is an interesting place for many tourists. Fortress address - Visegrád, Fő utca 23. Open gate hours - 9.00 - 17.00. The price of the visit - for adults - 1100 forints or $ 5, for children, students and pensioners - a 50% discount.
This large and rich castle in the Rococo style is located at a distance of 192 km from the capital - in the city of Fertod. Its construction in 1720 was initiated by the Esterhazy family, who have a love for defiant luxury. It should be noted that the architect, who was entrusted with the construction, raised the base residence in just 3 months. Then the castle was rebuilt, erecting buildings in the shape of a horseshoe. During World War II, a hospital was located here. Now part of the castle has been given over to a hotel, while the rest of the possessions are divided into 4 halls - the Opera House, the Musical House, the Puppet Theater and the so-called "Orange House". Coordinates: Fertőd, Joseph Haydn ut. The gates of the castle are open: spring-autumn - from 10.00 to 18.00, winter - until 16.00. Admission fee: adults - 2000 forints (9 dollars); pensioners, children and students - 1000 forints (4.5 dollars).
Gödöllő is located at a distance of 30 km from Budapest - in the town of the same name and has its roots in the 18th century, when Count Grasszalkovich, the then head of the Hungarian Parliament, decided to build a baroque palace here and surround it with a Catholic city. Construction dragged on for a quarter of a century, then the owners of the palace changed until it was in the hands of the family of Emperor Franz Joseph and turned into a royal residence. In this regard, changes were made - the arena, stables and other blocks were completed. However, World War II thoroughly shook the architecture of the palace, and for a long time (until 1994) it was used as a warehouse. However, after the reconstruction in 2007, it came to life again and pleases tourists with its splendor. Now the castle is a historical exposition. It often hosts memorial programs, shows, musical performances and horse shows. The palace has a souvenir shop and a restaurant with national cuisine. By the way, when it's warm, weddings are often held here, so you have a chance to watch the national wedding. Address: Gödöllő, Grassalkovich-kastely. Entrance fee: for adults - 2200 forints, which is equal to 10 dollars, for students - half as much. When it's warm - Gödöllö Palace is open from 10.00 to 18.00, in winter - until 16.00, and from mid-January it closes for a month for renovation.
The fortress in the city of Eger was born in the 13th century, but its current appearance comes from the 16th century. The Eger fortress became famous all over the planet for being the site of the battle between the Hungarians and the Turks, and the latter were 40 times more than the defenders. The confrontation lasted 33 days, in the end, the enemy army, suffering heavy losses of its fighters, retreated from the city. According to legend, the brave men were helped by "Bull's Blood" - a local, world-famous wine, which gives strength and invigorates with its rich taste. The modern Eger fortress is no less interesting than its history - here you can explore the underground labyrinths, shoot at the archery range, hold a wine tasting and participate in their bottling, visit the exposition of instruments of torture and execution, and also mint a coin with your own hands, which the master will give you will give in memory of the trip. Every summer, the fortress hosts jousting tournaments with real medieval performances and colorful costumes, accompanied by music, dancing, gastronomic treats and fun. As a rule, fairs of folk crafts are held here during mass spectacles, so tourists can buy souvenirs and unusual things directly from the hands of their creators. Fortress address: Eger Vár 1. Opening hours vary depending on the season - the miraculous fortress opens its gates invariably at 8 am, but closes in different ways: in summer at 20.00, in spring and autumn - at 19.00, in late autumn - at 18.00, and even earlier in winter - at 17.00. The entrance fee is 1800 forints or $8 for adults and 900 forints or $4 for pensioners, students and children.
There is no such Hungarian palace or castle that would leave tourists indifferent. The spirit of the Middle Ages, the luxury of decoration, masterpieces of expositions, picturesque nature, a romantic halo and the ancient secrets of Hungarian castles - all this attracts travelers like a magnet...
Budapest is called "the jewel of the Danube thrown ashore". Matte whiteness of its buildings, constrained in perspective by silvery mountains, the city really looks like a big pearl set in silver. All guests of the Hungarian capital are indelibly impressed by the wealth and splendor of its palaces and parks, bridges and the famous Buda Castle.
View of the medieval castle of Buda from the chronicles of Hartman Shidel
In the 1st century BC, one of the Celtic tribes - the Aravis - was the first to establish here the military settlement of Ak-Ink, whose name means "abundant waters". In the 1st century AD, the Romans conquered it from the Celts and founded their city, renaming it Aquincum. Soon the rapidly growing Roman colony turned it into an important defensive stronghold.
In the II century in Aquincum there were already about 30,000 inhabitants, a civil city grew separately in the northern part of present-day Buda. During the time of the Romans, Fortress (or Castle) Hill was uninhabited, although archaeologists sometimes find monuments from Roman times here. However, they came here from Aquincum as a suitable building material.
The building of the Museum of the History of Budapest, Hungary
The legionnaires themselves erected a fortified outpost of Counter-Aquincum in the area of \u200b\u200bthe present center of Budapest, at the crossing over the Danube, and on the southern outskirts of Buda - the camp city of Kampona.
View from Buda fortress
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Aquincum was completely destroyed during the era of the invasion of successive peoples, so that even its name was not preserved.
This territory was in the hands of Avars, Franks, Goths, Huns and many other peoples. An old legend tells that the leader of the Huns, Attila, instructed his brother Buda to protect the territories conquered from the Romans.
Hungarian National Gallery
Interior of the Hungarian National Gallery
Buda built a well-fortified military camp, which began to bear his name. But later Buda betrayed his brother, and Attila, returning from Italy he had conquered, ordered Buda to be killed and even forbade him to pronounce his name.
Chapel of Princess Alexandra Pavlovna
Portrait of a Princess by Borovikovsky
There is another version about the origin of this right-bank settlement: its name comes from the Bulgarian-Slavic word "buda" (hut, house). In science, this version is considered the most reliable.
After the Huns, the Magyars appeared in the middle Danube region, led by their leader Arpad. Having conquered (or forced out) the tribes living here, the founder of the dynasty of the Hungarian kings in 896 chose ancient Buda as his place of permanent residence, which existed before the arrival of the Hungarians.
In 1242, huge Tatar armies crossed the frozen Danube, destroyed and burned the Danube settlements. King Bela IV, fearing a new invasion of the Tatars, began to build fortresses throughout the country, and then the previously uninhabited plateau of the Fortress Mountain attracted his attention. Castle Hill was the lowest of the mountains of Buda, it rose only 151 meters above sea level, but due to its location it was very convenient for the construction of fortifications.
In 1255, King Bela IV ordered the construction of a fortress here to protect the country, around which a city with a civilian population grew. For believers, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Church of the Virgin and the Church of Mary Magdalene began to be built. A castle was built for the king himself.
By the 14th century, the Buda Castle had not yet become the center of the country; it only became so in the first quarter of the 15th century. King Sigismund, having become the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, finally moved his capital to Buda.
Next to a simple royal residential tower, he built a beautiful Gothic New Palace and began to rebuild the fortress wall, which had previously consisted of wattle and an earthen ditch. Bastions, perfect for that time, were erected, and the magnificent castle with its huge knight's hall and the remaining unfinished Truncated Tower served as a place for knightly tournaments.
1497
In the second half of the 15th century, during the reign of King Matthias, the Buda Castle reached its peak. King Matthias expanded and reconstructed the royal palace, surrounded Pest with a fortress wall and connected it with Buda with a floating bridge.
He invited a talented architect and sculptor A. Fioravanti from Italy, as well as D. Dalmat, B de Maiano and other masters.
During the construction of the royal palace, two architectural styles dominated: first - Gothic, and after the wedding of the king with Beatrice, the Renaissance triumphed.
Mosaic floors were laid in the halls of the palace, all rooms were decorated with sculptures, mirrors, carpets; reliefs and fireplaces made of red marble attracted attention not only with their forms, but also with the sparkle of all shades of stone. The chronicles of those years note that the majestic view of the reception hall of the king and the royal retinue made such a stunning impression on the Turkish ambassador that he even got confused in his speech and could not finish it, although he was a very experienced diplomat. The palace of King Matyasha also housed a library, the vaulted ceiling of which depicted the vault of heaven: on it, various configurations of stars marked important events in the life of the king.
Library
About the library itself, eyewitnesses of the 16th century wrote as follows:
Most of the volumes are made of parchment, with silk binding, gilded silver buckles... During the time of Matthias, about thirty painters, experienced masters of book correspondence always lived at the royal court...
During the reign of this king, the Church of the Virgin was rebuilt, which, due to its new tower, is called Matthias Church to this day. But with the death of the king, the glorious era in the history of the Buda Castle ended.
The head of the archive of early printed books, Gabor Farkas, shows our ambassador a well-preserved copy of the Hungarorum chronicles - this is the first book printed in Hungary: June 5, 1473 by András Hess in Buda.
The beautiful palace began to fall into disrepair, although the royal court tried to maintain its former splendor and luxury. However, the court staff, burdened with debts, could no longer pay the costs of maintaining the buildings in proper order. Many of them began to simply collapse, and the valuables were taken away to pay off debts.
Albrecht Durer. Emperor Sigismund.
During the Turkish domination, the castle built by King Bela, as well as the New Palace of King Sigismund and the castle of King Matthias were destroyed. For the first time, the Turks entered Buda in 1526 after the Battle of Mohacs, and the Buda Castle was admired even by the conquerors.
Gate of Corvin
The Turkish traveler E. Celebi in his notes constantly calls Buda "the golden apple of the Turkish Empire" because of the houses with red roofs. He climbs Mount Gellert only to see the fortress wall from all sides. The conqueror falls in love with Buda, but cannot save her from death.
1550
The fortress walls hum from endless sieges, powder magazines explode, but the Turks fail to gain a foothold in this territory. Retreating, they burned and plundered the palace and city, most of the buildings were completely destroyed, but even then the beauty of the proud ruins occupying the top of the hill remained.
In 1541, after a long siege, the Turks again managed to capture the Buda Castle with the help of deceit. The janissaries of Sultan Suleiman, under the guise of guests, made their way through the northern gate, attacked the guards at a signal and disarmed them.
Royal Palace,
In the last days of August, on the day of the 15th anniversary of the Battle of Mohacs, the ambassadors of the Sultan arrived to visit Queen Isabella and little Janos Zsigmont. They handed her a decree, according to which Transylvania was appointed as the new place of residence of the queen, and Buda was taken by the Turks for preservation until Janos reached the age of majority.
After that, sad events begin in the history of the Buda Castle, about which a lot is told in historical chronicles. For example, “Janos Podmanicki was a smart man. Having cut his beard into a sackcloth, he dressed himself and fled from the fortress with a tub on his back. The rest became prisoners of the Truncated Tower or slaves.
Matthias fountain
Under Turkish domination, the development of many Hungarian cities slowed down greatly, and Buda turned from a royal residence into a border town in a remote province of the vast Turkish empire. The fortress with its magnificent buildings perished: and although they remained in relative safety, their interior decoration was completely destroyed. The royal palace was turned into barracks and warehouses, churches were rebuilt into mosques.
It seemed that even nature itself was helping the destruction of the Buda Castle. In 1578, lightning struck a powder magazine, an explosion scattered neighboring palaces, covered the state treasury and the underground shelter of kings with earth, threw cannons from the fortress into the Danube; the fortress gates, as if they were moved by an unknown power, opened by themselves, the waters of the Danube floated down the corpses for days on end ...
The domination of the Turks lasted a long 145 years. At the turn of the 16th-17th centuries, the militia army, formed from Hungarian peasants, repeatedly tried to recapture the Buda Castle, but to no avail.
Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI
Only in 1686, the united Christian armies, led by the Lorraine prince Karl and the Bavarian elector Maximilian, surrounded the Buda fortress, and a life-and-death struggle began.
The assault followed the assault, but the heroism of the Hungarian haiduks, who were always the first in the attacks, and the cannon fire did not bring success. The powder tower exploded again, 800 tons of gunpowder flew into the air and 1550 people died.
The decisive attack began on September 2, 1686. At the Estherdom rotunda, the besiegers made their way into the fortress, the guns fell silent, and hand-to-hand combat began. After the death of Pasha Abdurakhman, the Turks retreated to the territory of the royal palace, and then hung out a white banner. Almost the entire fortress was covered with the bodies of many thousands of dead.
A fire broke out, and the former royal residence, the beauty of the cities of the Turkish era, the "red apple" with its houses lying in ruins, with burnt values, charred walls sticking up to the sky and burnt out windows, was such a terrible sight in the bright late summer sun, as illuminated on a dark night the inside of the skull.
The following centuries were also not particularly happy for the Buda Castle: plague, earthquakes, downpours, and fires followed one after another. A gunpowder explosion and a huge fire in 1723 caused destruction no less than the siege of the Turks. Its restoration began only in the 18th century, and new buildings in the Baroque style began to be erected over the ruins.
The Buda Castle acquired its final form in the 19th century, when it was completely rebuilt by the architect Miklós Ybl. However, its huge buildings with hundreds of halls were almost completely burned down during the Second World War. Hitler's troops first of all captured the fortress, where the headquarters of the occupying army was located.
When the resistance of the last SS units was broken in February 1945, as a result of artillery and mortar fire, not a single whole roof, not a single intact facade remained in Buda.
Forced to retreat, the Germans set fire to the most beautiful historical buildings, and their gaping windows looked gloomily at the city. And then a long and painstaking work began to restore the fortress, and the master restorers tried to preserve as many architectural monuments and the remains of medieval buildings as possible.
University opening ceremony in the State Hall of Buda Palace, June 25, 1780.
Now the Buda Castle is a majestic and beautiful picture. Above the uneven line of roofs of houses and small palaces rise the Gothic domes of churches, the Romanesque towers and arcades of the Fisherman's Bastion, the large facade and dome of the royal palace ...
And in mid-August, a festival of crafts is held in the Buda Castle. The time of its holding was set according to an unwritten peasant law: in August all agricultural work is completed, and the villagers can take a breath for a while. Part of this celebration is the procession with sheaves: it is held on August 20, and many musicians, singers, dancers and artisans take part in it.
And it ends in front of the Cathedral of King Matthias, where the consecration of the bread of the new harvest takes place. Here, on the square, cabinet makers, blacksmiths, weavers, potters lay out their products, made right in front of the astonished public.
monument to Prince Eugene
Although many of its elements were irretrievably lost after the communist reconstruction of the Buda Castle, in 2002 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The National Cultural Heritage Foundation of Hungary in 2006 proposed a plan for the complete restoration of the historical appearance of the Buda Castle building.
Interior of Buda Castle
Architectural monuments of the Buda Castle
Church of St. Matthias. My separate post about this church
The Fisherman's Bastion is an architectural structure on the Fortress Hill in Buda, one of the sights of the Hungarian capital. It is a square surrounded by a gallery 140 m long and 8 m wide with conical hipped towers (6 small and one central, symbolize the seven tribes that founded the Hungarian state), arcades and balustrades, offering a magnificent view of the Danube and Pest.
The fisherman's bastion was built in 1899-1905 according to the design of the architect Fridesh Schulek and was conceived as an architectural backdrop for the Matthias Church. Despite its name, the Fishermen's Bastion has never had a defensive value. Previously, on the site of the Fisherman's Bastion there was a square surrounded by a fortress wall, where there was a fish trade. In the Middle Ages, the fishermen of Buda defended this section of the fortress wall in the event of a military threat, and the Fisherman's Bastion became a monument to the brave fishermen's guild.
Bronze equestrian statue of Saint George
Monument to Stephen I in Buda
Sandor's Palace (Hungarian: Sándor-palota) is a palace in Buda Castle. Built in 1806 by architect Mihai Pollak for Count Vincent Sandor. From August 1919 to June 1941, the Prime Ministers of Hungary worked in the Sandor Palace. During World War II the palace was completely destroyed. Restoration work was completed only in 2002. Since January 22, 2003, the Shandor Palace has been the official residence of the President of the Republic.
The facade of Shandor's palace is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting Greek gods and the scene of Count Shandor's knighthood. On the eastern wall of the palace there is a memorial plaque in honor of Count Pala Teleki, Prime Minister of Hungary on the eve of World War II. In protest against the decision to let the German troops through the territory of Hungary, he committed suicide. The interiors of the palace are famous for their tapestries, crystal chandeliers and paintings by Karoly Lotz.
Coronation of the last Hungarian king Charles IV in the Buda Castle
Sandor's Palace is open to visitors only once a year, usually in September, when an exhibition is held as part of the annual Hungarian Cultural Heritage Days.
The building of the House of Hungarian wines in Buda. In the foreground is the plague column on Holy Trinity Square.
The House of Hungarian Wines is a museum in Budapest, located near the Buda Castle on Holy Trinity Square and is dedicated to Hungarian winemaking. The exhibition presents more than 700 varieties of Hungarian wines from 22 wine regions of Hungary. Visitors to the museum can taste more than 70 varieties of wine during the tour of the exposition. One of the best varieties offered to visitors for tasting is considered to be a dry red wine called "Egri Bikaver" (translated as "bull's blood"), produced in the Eger region. Tokay wines are also one of the main favorites of the exposition.
In Pest, on Rakoczy Street, the House of the Hungarian Palinka operates.
Buda Castle is the historical castle of the Hungarian kings in Budapest. Previously it was also called the Royal Palace (Hung. Királyi-palota) and the Royal Castle (Hung. Királyi Vár). The fortress can be reached by the Buda funicular Siklo (Hung. Budavári Sikló) and by bus from the square. Sell Kalman (former Moscow Square). In 2002, the Buda Castle, along with the ancient Aquincum and Andrássy Avenue, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
