Hungary’s castles and fortresses once rang to the sounds
of kings, noblemen and knights. After many blood-spattered centuries,
silence now reigns over the old stones. But the past is evoked
from time to time and knights and craftsmen once again fill their
old quarters. Several Hungarian castles organise attractive events
to keep the old traditions fresh and for the benefit of visitors.
Visegrád
The Visegrád castle in the Danube bend comprises of two
buildings. Construction of the lower castle started around 1247.
It was a rather unusual design, with a road crossing through the
castle quarter. The most interesting part of the lower castle is
the residential tower called the Salamon tower. Currently it houses
a museum where visitors are introduced to the history of Visegrád.
The upper castle or citadel was originally built in a triangular
shape and had two towers. It was home to Hungarian kings from 1323
and later became their summer residence. New wings and an external
wall were built during the Angevin period. The golden age of the
Visegrád castle was during the reign of Kings Mathias.
EVENT: “From the Original Settlement to King Mathias”
is a series of events staged in the castle. The Visegrád
International Palace Games are being held on July 8 – 10
this year and include jousts, colourful displays by craftspeople
and concerts of traditional music.
Komárom
The most famous of the three fortresses in Komárom is Monostor,
the largest and best-preserved medieval fortress in Central Europe.
Occupying an area of 58 hectares or more than 67 hectares including
the so-called Trencher camp, the fortress is one large building
complex with 640 rooms in 14 separate buildings. The floor space
of these buildings totals 34,000 square metres. The fortress was
designed by Austrian engineers in line with the latest architectural
and military principles of the age. As a result, all the buildings
and defence objects are covered by a thick layer of soil. Except
for one point, the building is invisible from the outside. (See
article in Danubius Magazin 2005/1)
EVENT: A Military Day is held in the fortress each year. The day
includes a show of military traditions, the display of models,
a cooking competition, an obstacle race, theatre performances and
brass band concerts. This unique event is held in the renovated
bastion in June. Other theatre and music programmes are staged
in the fortress all through the summer.
Kőszeg
The former castle of the local landed proprietors is in the
northeastern corner of the city centre, surrounded by walls and
trenches.
The outer ward was built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Remains
of a pile-castle were found in the yard, representing the oldest
predecessor of the castle. The buildings of the outer ward were
mainly used for trade and commerce, the guards were housed here
and it included the stables and coach-house.
The inner ward is an irregular square shape, its two sides coinciding
with the line of the city walls. The form and location of the outer
ward are completely independent from the system of city walls and
streets. The reason for this is that the outer ward had already
been built when the current city structure was developed.
EVENT: A range of folklore events and historic shows are staged
in the castle and its direct neighbourhood. Concerts are held in
the tower on the weekends, and a folklore festival and street theatre
performances are held throughout June to evoke the atmosphere of
old ages. In addition, concerts of classical and operetta music
are held regularly.
Sárvár
The Renaissance fortified castle is one of the outstanding historic
monuments in the country. It was developed from a 13th-century
three-storey residential tower and the one-storey northern wing
of the current building. These were rebuilt in the 15th century
in Gothic style. The lower level of the current gate tower and
the large inner yard were built in the same style. In addition
to natural features, protection is provided by a plank palisade
and parapet. The Nádasdy family possessed the castle between
1534 and 1671. The castle owes its current design to additional
construction carried out in the Renaissance style. The castle
was refurbished in the 19th century when the water in the moats
was drained and the current bridge was built.
EVENT: The castle hosts a great variety of events all through
the summer: from beer festivals to rock concerts. An international
brass band festival is held in early July and the international
folklore days are staged in mid-August.
Csesznek
The castle of Csesznek is on road number 82 between Veszprém
and Győr. Most of the current building was erected in the
15th century on foundations built in the 13th century.
The golden years of this 700-year-old castle were during the reign
of King Sigismund in the 15th century. The castle was then in the
possession of the Garai family, who transformed the former small
castle with an inner tower into an imposing fortified castle in
Gothic style. It first played an important military role during
the Turkish occupation of Hungary. After Veszprém Castle
had been captured by the Turks in 1552, Csesznek became a border
fortress manned by royal guards. The castle was acquired by the
Esterházy family in 1637. The inner tower was damaged by
an earthquake in 1810 and later ruined by fire.
As a result of renovation works started in the 1960s, the ruins
are currently open to visitors in the company of a guide.
EVENT:
Csesznek Summer is a series of events including jousts, falconry,
knights’
heptathlon, archery, medieval music and dances, handscraft and
folk art fairs, an exhibition of historic clothing and medieval
feasts.
Sümeg
The Sümeg castle was built on a limestone hill in the northern
Balaton area. The inner ward was built in the 13th century. It
was a member of the second line of border fortresses. It was ruined
by fire during the period of Turkish occupation but was soon rebuilt.
During Rákóczi’s War of Independence (1703-1711),
it became an important centre. The imperial troops recaptured the
castle in 1709. It was fully renovated over the past 10 years:
the walls are once again stable and safe for visitors.
EVENTS: The Border Castle Days and jousts are traditionally held
in the last days of August. The main event is the storming of the
Sümeg Castle, during which spectators can sit back and follow
the exciting events from the comfort of their seats: the attack
of the Turkish artillery, cavalry and infantry and the seizure
of the castle.
Nagyvázsony
The castle of Vázsonykő, built at the end of the 14th
century, is located in the centre of Nagyvázsony, halfway
between Veszprém and Tapolca. The oldest part of the castle
is the monumental external tower, which is still a residential
tower. The castle was named by Pál Kinizsi, who extended
the building by adding a palace, a chapel and a defense entrance
with barbican in the 1490s. During the Turkish occupation of Hungary,
the castle proved to be a stronghold in the network of border fortresses.
The residential tower has been used for many purposes over the
ages: for prison, distillery, and servants quarters. The fortress
is currently open to visitors and functions as a museum.
EVENT: The fortress is open to visitors all year round. During
the summer season, the lifestyle of old times is evoked at various
medieval feasts and jousts. The Nagyvázsony Medieval Horse
Show is held in late July and early August.
Veszprém
The castle of Veszprém was built on a rock towering 40 metres
over the heart of this county capital. The medieval walls were
supported by entrenchments built for the earthwork erected during
the Bronz Age. It served as the residence of the reigning prince
in the last third of the 10th century and later became an Episcopal
seat. The ridge was surrounded by walls and a cathedral and palace
were built within the walls. The outer wards with a double gate
and drawbridge were built in the southern part of the town during
the 13th and 14th centuries. The majority of the Baroque-style
palace, houses and churches now to be found the castle district
were built in the 18th century. The walls of the former prebends’ buildings
and the fire watchtower are the only structures that remind us
of the medieval castle today. The fire watchtower, which is often
referred to as the symbol of the town, was built in the 1810s by
adding several floors to the southern guard tower.
EVENT: The Veszprém Feast is held on July 31 and it includes
a folk art fair and various events for families and children. The
three-week Veszprém Summer Festival starts on August 4 and
it awaits guests with a great variety of music, dance and folklore
events.
