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 underneath siege which led to many castles being constructed for defense all through the centuries.
Today the Hungarian castles stand as a reminder of the previous and to honor the nation’s lengthy heritage. Many of the castles had been house to royal households, nice leaders, and served to guard the individuals.
Here’s a brief record of the most effective castles in Hungary open to go to in your subsequent journey!
Hungarian Castles FAQ
- How many castles are in Hungary? There are 103 Castles within the Country of Hungary lots of that are open to the general public.
- What is the oldest fort in Hungary? The Buda Castle is the oldest fort in Hungary relationship again to 1265. Since that point it has been added on to, renovated, and broken by struggle many instances.
- Why does Hungary have so many castles? In Midevil instances castles had been inbuilt Hungary primarily for defense. In the 1700s and 1800s some castles and palaces we renovated by royals and elites to be was personal residences.
- What castles are in Budapest? The metropolis of Budapest has two castles, Buda Castles and Vajdahunyad Castle.
1. Buda Castle
Situated on prime of Castle Hill in Budapest, Buda Castle is a shocking Baroque palace overlooking the Danube River. The authentic fort was inbuilt 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 at this time was inbuilt 1769.
Although there are over 200 rooms within the fort, lots of them had been destroyed throughout WWII. The fort courts, fishermen’s bastion, and the historic sq. are nonetheless open to guests. There are additionally quite a few websites positioned inside the fort partitions, together with the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest Castle Museum, and the Budapest Castle Library.
You can attain Buda Castle by strolling uphill (15-minutes) in direction of the Castle District, or by taking the funicular. It’s additionally price spending time strolling across the Castle District itself. The winding cobblestone streets and superbly preserved Baroque homes are filled with appeal. If you solely see one of many stunning castles in Hungary, it must be this one.
2. Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
The Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest was inbuilt 1896 as a monument to commemorate the 1,000 anniversary of Hungary because the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin. The constructing has elaborate Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance kinds. It was modeled after a number of different castles, such because the Kingdom of Hungary and the Hunyard Castle in Romania. These completely different kinds showcase the architectural evolution of Hungary over the previous couple of centuries.
Nowadays, the courtyards of Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest are used for festivals, concert events, and exhibitions. One of the fort’s largest highlights is the statue of “Anonymus,” who many imagine to be King Béla III. The fort accommodates the Hungarian Agricultural Museum, the most important agricultural museum in Europe. Visiting the museum is the one solution to see the inside of the constructing.
Related: Museums in Budapest
3. Sümeg Castle
The imposing Sümeg Castle is perched atop Castle Hill overlooking the small village of Sümeg. This Thirteenth-century fort was constructed by Bela IV, though it was significantly expanded over the subsequent few centuries and was even fortified by the Turks. In 1713, all the fort was lit on hearth by Austrian occupants in Hungary, destroying massive sections. The present constructing was restored within the 1900s.
Inside 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 fort’s fortress days.
4. Royal Palace of Visegrád
The authentic website of the Royal Palace of Visegrád was inbuilt 1325 by King Charles I of Hungary. When the throne was handed to King Charles’ son, King Louis, main building was performed 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 new palace was used as the first residence of the Hungarian Kings till the early 1400s.
Unfortunately, the fort 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.
During your go to, you’ll see the royal bed-chamber, a kitchen, and the St. George’s chapel. Sitting on the heart of the palace within the Court of Honour is the pink 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 Family, who immigrated from Croatia through the seventeenth century. Although 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 dimension of the Festetics Palace makes it the most effective castles to see in Hungary. There are two tales, 34 ornately-decorated rooms, and even an on-site library. Since it was not broken throughout WWII, a lot of the fort stays in its authentic situation. You also can see many artifacts, books, and furnishings used within the fort through the late 1800s.
After Kristóf’s dying, the palace was handed right 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 displays showcasing the aristocratic life-style in Hungary through the nineteenth century.
6. Bory Castle
Rory Castle is an interesting murals and a first-rate instance of Hungarian structure. In 1912, Jenõ Bory purchased a one-acre property in Székesfehérvár and determined to construct a palace that might change 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 staff.
Once it was completed, the palace was virtually 1,000 ft excessive. The huge construction contains seven towers, 30 completely different rooms, a dungeon, and manicured gardens. Bory then continued to personally enhance the inside of the fort. 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 Court of the Hundred Columns are probably the most hanging issues to see within the palace.
The tree-lined gardens surrounding the fort are virtually as stunning because the constructing itself. The entrance backyard accommodates lots 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. Finally, you’ve the Elephant Garden, which sits underneath the archway on the second terrace. Here, you’ll see a peculiar statue of a large elephant standing on a ball.
7. Brunszvik Castle Martonvásár
Built in 1785, the Brunszvik Castle 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 fashion.
Even if you happen to aren’t acquainted with the Brunszvik Castle, you may know one among its most well-known visitors: Ludwig van Beethoven was buddies with many various members of the Bruszvik household. For this motive, Beethoven visited the fort a number of instances all through his life and even wrote his iconic composition Fur Elise whereas staying on the property.
As one among Martonvásár’s hottest vacationer sights, the Brunszvik Castle is a uncommon glimpse into this famed composer’s life. It’s additionally house to the nation’s solely Beethoven Museum. 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 fort. One of the more odd artifacts within the museum is a lock of his hair, which is sealed in a glass body.
Besides a go to to the Beethoven Museum, it’s price strolling across the fort grounds. This tree-lined park has a little bit lake with a small island within the center, which may be accessed by an arched picket footbridge.
- Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10 am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 12pm, 2pm – 5pm
- Ticket value: 1,800 HUF (adults) 900 (lowered)
- Address: Martonvásár, Brunszvik u. 2, 2462
8. Esterházy Castle Pápa
The historic Esterházy Castle was constructed between 1773 and 1784 by the Esterházy household. This aristocratic household owned a number of massive properties and was one of the crucial influential households through the Astro-Hungarian Empire. The fort 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’ previous stones. Around the fort, you’ll discover acres of lush inexperienced gardens.
Unlike different castles in Hungary, Esterházy Castle presents dwell guided excursions with costumed actors. From the second you stroll via the door, you’ll be transported again to the 18th-century as you’re greeted by nobles and aristocrats. Throughout the tour, you’ll acquire perception into their life-style, with conventional dwell dances, songs, and tales from this era.
Esterházy Castle additionally hosts quite a lot of enjoyable and interesting occasions. You can take footage sporting your very personal Baroque costume, or join one among 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 fluctuate by season
- Ticket value: 2,100 HUF (adults) 1,200 (lowered)
- Address: Pápa, Fő tér 1, 8500
9. Royal Palace of Gödöllő
Located within the central metropolis of Gödöllő, The Royal Palace of Gödöllő is understood for being the favourite retreat of Emperor Franz Joseph and Queen Elizabeth (extra generally generally known 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 fort 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 driving corridor, that are all open to guests. It’s additionally price visiting the King’s Hall Pavilion, positioned 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.
Many 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 embellished to replicate the fashion of when she lived there. The backyard and veranda surrounding the fort had been additionally constructed to commemorate her life.
10. Siklos Castle
Siklos Castle has a prolonged historical past with Hungary’s most noble households. Since 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.
Visitors can now see the renovated fort in its full glory by exploring one of many many museums on the property. There’s the medieval army exhibition, the fort historical past exhibition, a WWI and WWII exhibition, and even a winemaking exhibition. You also can tour the torture chambers, the fort chapel, and a number of other different rooms that stay from the fort’s golden years through the fifteenth century.