This central European gem has many beautiful items of structure however none are fairly as grand because the castles in Hungary. With its central place, Hungary was typically beneath siege which led to many castles being constructed for defense all through the centuries.
Right now the Hungarian castles stand as a reminder of the previous and to honor the nation’s lengthy heritage. Most of the castles had been house to royal households, nice leaders, and served to guard the folks.
Right here’s a brief listing of one of the best castles in Hungary open to go to in your subsequent journey!
Hungarian Castles FAQ
- What number of castles are in Hungary? There are 103 Castles within the Nation of Hungary a lot of that are open to the general public.
- What’s the oldest citadel in Hungary? The Buda Fortress is the oldest citadel in Hungary relationship again to 1265. Since that point it has been added on to, renovated, and broken by struggle many occasions.
- Why does Hungary have so many castles? In Midevil occasions castles had been in-built Hungary primarily for defense. Within the 1700s and 1800s some castles and palaces we renovated by royals and elites to be became personal residences.
- What castles are in Budapest? The town of Budapest has two castles, Buda Castles and Vajdahunyad Fortress.
1. Buda Fortress
Located on high of Fortress Hill in Budapest, Buda Fortress is a shocking Baroque palace overlooking the Danube River. The unique citadel was in-built 1265 by King Béla IV of Hungary to defend towards the invading Mongols and Tartars. It was altered by residing Kings over the subsequent few centuries till it was severely broken within the 1500s and 1600s by completely different military forces. The present construction that you simply see immediately was in-built 1769.
Though there are over 200 rooms within the citadel, a lot of them had been destroyed throughout WWII. The citadel courts, fishermen’s bastion, and the historic sq. are nonetheless open to guests. There are additionally quite a few websites situated throughout the citadel partitions, together with the Hungarian Nationwide Gallery, the Budapest Fortress Museum, and the Budapest Fortress Library.
You possibly can attain Buda Fortress by strolling uphill (15-minutes) in direction of the Fortress District, or by taking the funicular. It’s additionally price spending time strolling across the Fortress District itself. The winding cobblestone streets and superbly preserved Baroque homes are filled with appeal. When you solely see one of many lovely castles in Hungary, it ought to be this one.
2. Vajdahunyad Fortress Budapest
The Vajdahunyad Fortress Budapest was in-built 1896 as a monument to commemorate the 1,000 anniversary of Hungary for the reason that Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin. The constructing has elaborate Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance types. It was modeled after a number of different castles, such because the Kingdom of Hungary and the Hunyard Fortress in Romania. These completely different types showcase the architectural evolution of Hungary over the previous couple of centuries.
These days, the courtyards of Vajdahunyad Fortress Budapest are used for festivals, concert events, and exhibitions. One of many citadel’s greatest highlights is the statue of “Anonymus,” who many imagine to be King Béla III. The citadel accommodates the Hungarian Agricultural Museum, the most important agricultural museum in Europe. Visiting the museum is the one strategy to see the inside of the constructing.
Associated: Museums in Budapest
3. Sümeg Fortress
The imposing Sümeg Fortress is perched atop Fortress Hill overlooking the small village of Sümeg. This Thirteenth-century citadel was constructed by Bela IV, though it was enormously expanded over the subsequent few centuries and was even fortified by the Turks. In 1713, all the citadel was lit on fireplace by Austrian occupants in Hungary, destroying massive sections. The present constructing was restored within the 1900s.
Contained in the constructing, you’ll discover a torture chamber, a medieval kitchen, a chapel, stables, and even an on-site coach museum. The protection draw bridge, cannons, and cisterns stay from the citadel’s fortress days.
4. Royal Palace of Visegrád
The unique web site of the Royal Palace of Visegrád was in-built 1325 by King Charles I of Hungary. When the throne was handed to King Charles’ son, King Louis, main building was finished to the palace. At first, he expanded completely different rooms of the palace, however then fully dismantled all the constructing to make room for a brand new construction. The brand new palace was used as the first residence of the Hungarian Kings till the early 1400s.
Sadly, the citadel was destroyed in 1544 by the Ottoman Turks. It was left to crumble and was fully buried just some centuries later. A big portion of the palace has been excavated and restored, though solely 20 of the unique 350 rooms are open to the general public.
Throughout your go to, you’ll see the royal bed-chamber, a kitchen, and the St. George’s chapel. Sitting on the middle of the palace within the Courtroom of Honour is the crimson marble Hercules Fountain, which is definitely a reproduction of the unique fountain that lives within the Matthias Corvinus Museum.
5. Festetics Palace
The spectacular Festetics Palace was initially constructed to be the residence for the prosperous Festetics Household, who immigrated from Croatia in the course of the seventeenth century. Though Kristóf Festetics, the household’s patriarch, began building in 1745, he didn’t survive to see the end result. It took three completely different architects greater than 140 years to finish the palace, which is now the third-largest palace within the nation.
The sheer measurement of the Festetics Palace makes it among the best castles to see in Hungary. There are two tales, 34 ornately-decorated rooms, and even an on-site library. Because it was not broken throughout WWII, a lot of the citadel stays in its authentic situation. It’s also possible to see many artifacts, books, and furnishings used within the citadel in the course of the late 1800s.
After Kristóf’s dying, the palace was handed all the way down to the remainder of his household. Kristóf’s great-great-great-great-grandson, Prince Tassilo II, was the final member of the family to dwell in Festetics Palace. It’s now a museum with a number of reveals showcasing the aristocratic way of life in Hungary in the course of the nineteenth century.
6. Bory Fortress
Rory Fortress is a captivating murals and a chief instance of Hungarian structure. In 1912, Jenõ Bory purchased a one-acre property in Székesfehérvár and determined to construct a palace that may turn into his summer time residence. Bory himself deliberate, coordinated, and constructed the palace by hand in simply 40 years, with the assistance of some different employees.
As soon as it was completed, the palace was nearly 1,000 ft excessive. The huge construction consists of seven towers, 30 completely different rooms, a dungeon, and manicured gardens. Bory then continued to personally enhance the inside of the citadel. There are a number of hundred statues dotted across the property, and much more work, mosaics, and antiques. Many individuals imagine that the work of Hungarian historical past within the Courtroom of the Hundred Columns are essentially the most hanging issues to see within the palace.
The tree-lined gardens surrounding the citadel are nearly as lovely because the constructing itself. The entrance backyard accommodates a lot of Bory’s concrete statues and fountains. The rose backyard features a extra intimate set of artwork. Not solely will you discover a white marble portrait of Bory’s spouse, however you’ll additionally see a number of busts of his buddies and fellow artists. Lastly, you might have the Elephant Backyard, which sits beneath the archway on the second terrace. Right here, you’ll see a peculiar statue of a large elephant standing on a ball.
7. Brunszvik Fortress Martonvásár
Inbuilt 1785, the Brunszvik Fortress is a romantic, fairy-tale-like palace surrounded by lush gardens and glowing lakes. It was restored 100 years later and designed in a neo-Gothic type.
Even in the event you aren’t conversant in the Brunszvik Fortress, you may know one in every of its most well-known friends: Ludwig van Beethoven was buddies with many various members of the Bruszvik household. For that reason, Beethoven visited the citadel a number of occasions all through his life and even wrote his iconic composition Fur Elise whereas staying on the property.
As one in every of Martonvásár’s hottest vacationer sights, the Brunszvik Fortress is a uncommon glimpse into this famed composer’s life. It’s additionally house to the nation’s solely Beethoven Museum. Right here, you’ll study extra about Beethoven’s connection to the Bruszvik household, and see a couple of of his private objects that had been used within the citadel. One of many more odd artifacts within the museum is a lock of his hair, which is sealed in a glass body.
In addition to a go to to the Beethoven Museum, it’s price strolling across the citadel grounds. This tree-lined park has somewhat lake with a small island within the center, which might be accessed by an arched picket footbridge.
- Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10 am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 12pm, 2pm – 5pm
- Ticket worth: 1,800 HUF (adults) 900 (diminished)
- Deal with: Martonvásár, Brunszvik u. 2, 2462
8. Esterházy Fortress Pápa
The historic Esterházy Fortress was constructed between 1773 and 1784 by the Esterházy household. This aristocratic household owned a number of massive properties and was one of the vital influential households in the course of the Astro-Hungarian Empire. The citadel sits on the positioning of what was as soon as a medieval fortress. Its present Baroque construction was even constructed utilizing a few of the fortress’ outdated stones. Across the citadel, you’ll discover acres of lush inexperienced gardens.
Not like different castles in Hungary, Esterházy Fortress provides dwell guided excursions with costumed actors. From the second you stroll by way of the door, you’ll be transported again to the 18th-century as you’re greeted by nobles and aristocrats. All through the tour, you’ll acquire perception into their way of life, with conventional dwell dances, songs, and tales from this era.
Esterházy Fortress additionally hosts a wide range of enjoyable and fascinating occasions. You possibly can take footage sporting your very personal Baroque costume, or join one in every of their chocolate bonbon making lessons. There’s even an on-site marionette theater, in addition to a everlasting artwork exhibition dedicated to the works of Antal Nemcsics.
- Hours: Opening and tour hours range by season
- Ticket worth: 2,100 HUF (adults) 1,200 (diminished)
- Deal with: Pápa, Fő tér 1, 8500
9. Royal Palace of Gödöllő
Situated within the central metropolis of Gödöllő, The Royal Palace of Gödöllő is thought for being the favourite retreat of Emperor Franz Joseph and Queen Elizabeth (extra generally referred to as Sisi).
It was constructed within the early 1700s and noticed completely different restorations and additions throughout its lifetime. After Queen Elizabeth’s dying, the citadel was handed over to the Hungarian admiral Regent Miklós Horthy, earlier than being fully restored within the Eighties.
Now, the palace is a large double U-shaped construction with eight wings, a church, a theater, and even a using corridor, that are all open to guests. It’s additionally price visiting the King’s Corridor Pavilion, situated a couple of ft from the property. This pavilion is the final remaining constructing from the unique construction and accommodates 54 oil work depicting Hungarian leaders, Kings, and conquests.
Lots of Queen Elizabeth’s rooms had been additionally preserved, together with her royal suite, dressing room, and writing room. The rooms have been restored and adorned to replicate the type of when she lived there. The backyard and veranda surrounding the citadel had been additionally constructed to commemorate her life.
10. Siklos Fortress
Siklos Fortress has a prolonged historical past with Hungary’s most noble households. Because it was constructed within the mid-1200s, it has been owned by the Soklyosi household, the Gara household, and the Batthyany-Strattmann household, to call a couple of. It was offered to the state in 1936 and finally used as a jail throughout WWII.
Guests can now see the renovated citadel in its full glory by exploring one of many many museums on the property. There’s the medieval navy exhibition, the citadel historical past exhibition, a WWI and WWII exhibition, and even a winemaking exhibition. It’s also possible to tour the torture chambers, the citadel chapel, and several other different rooms that stay from the citadel’s golden years in the course of the fifteenth century.
This put up might comprise affiliate hyperlinks, see our disclosure
