This central European gem has many gorgeous items of structure however none are fairly as grand because the castles in Hungary. With its central place, Hungary was typically below 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 residence to royal households, nice leaders, and served to guard the folks.
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 a lot of that are open to the general public.
- What is the oldest fortress in Hungary? The Buda Castle is the oldest fortress in Hungary relationship again to 1265. Since that point it has been added on to, renovated, and broken by battle many instances.
- Why does Hungary have so many castles? In Midevil instances castles had been in-built Hungary primarily for defense. In the 1700s and 1800s some castles and palaces we renovated by royals and elites to be become non-public residences.
- What castles are in Budapest? The metropolis of Budapest has two castles, Buda Castles and Vajdahunyad Castle.
1. Buda Castle
Situated on high of Castle Hill in Budapest, Buda Castle is a surprising Baroque palace overlooking the Danube River. The unique fortress was in-built 1265 by King Béla IV of Hungary to defend in opposition to the invading Mongols and Tartars. It was altered by residing Kings over the following few centuries till it was severely broken within the 1500s and 1600s by completely different military forces. The present construction that you just see as we speak was in-built 1769.
Although there are over 200 rooms within the fortress, a lot of them had been destroyed throughout WWII. The fortress courts, fishermen’s bastion, and the historic sq. are nonetheless open to guests. There are additionally quite a few websites positioned inside the fortress 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 the direction of the Castle District, or by taking the funicular. It’s additionally value spending time strolling across the Castle District itself. The winding cobblestone streets and fantastically preserved Baroque homes are full of allure. If you solely see one of many lovely castles in Hungary, it ought to be this one.
2. Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
The Vajdahunyad Castle 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 Castle in Romania. These completely different types showcase the architectural evolution of Hungary over the previous few centuries.
Nowadays, the courtyards of Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest are used for festivals, concert events, and exhibitions. One of the fortress’s greatest highlights is the statue of “Anonymus,” who many imagine to be King Béla III. The fortress comprises the Hungarian Agricultural Museum, the most important agricultural museum in Europe. Visiting the museum is the one option 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 fortress was constructed by Bela IV, though it was enormously expanded over the following few centuries and was even fortified by the Turks. In 1713, your complete fortress 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 fortress’s fortress days.
4. Royal Palace of Visegrád
The unique website 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 development was finished to the palace. At first, he expanded completely different rooms of the palace, however then fully dismantled your complete 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 fortress 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 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 Family, who immigrated from Croatia throughout the seventeenth century. Although Kristóf Festetics, the household’s patriarch, began development 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 among the finest 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 fortress stays in its unique situation. You can even see many artifacts, books, and furnishings used within the fortress throughout 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 stay in Festetics Palace. It’s now a museum with a number of reveals showcasing the aristocratic way of life in Hungary throughout the nineteenth century.
6. Bory Castle
Rory Castle is an interesting murals and a major 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 season 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 embellish the inside of the fortress. There are a number of hundred statues dotted across the property, and much more work, mosaics, and antiques. Many folks imagine that the work of Hungarian historical past within the Court of the Hundred Columns are essentially the most putting issues to see within the palace.
The tree-lined gardens surrounding the fortress are virtually as lovely because the constructing itself. The entrance backyard comprises 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. Finally, you may have the Elephant Garden, which sits below 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 model.
Even for those who aren’t conversant in the Brunszvik Castle, you may know certainly one of its most well-known friends: Ludwig van Beethoven was buddies with many various members of the Bruszvik household. For this motive, Beethoven visited the fortress a number of instances all through his life and even wrote his iconic composition Fur Elise whereas staying on the property.
As certainly one of Martonvásár’s hottest vacationer points of interest, the Brunszvik Castle is a uncommon glimpse into this famed composer’s life. It’s additionally residence to the nation’s solely Beethoven Museum. Here, you’ll be taught extra about Beethoven’s connection to the Bruszvik household, and see a number of of his private gadgets that had been used within the fortress. One of the weirder 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 value strolling across the fortress grounds. This tree-lined park has just a little lake with a small island within the center, which will be accessed by an arched wood footbridge.
- Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10 am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 12pm, 2pm – 5pm
- Ticket value: 1,800 HUF (adults) 900 (diminished)
- 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 probably the most influential households throughout the Astro-Hungarian Empire. The fortress 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 fortress, you’ll discover acres of lush inexperienced gardens.
Unlike different castles in Hungary, Esterházy Castle presents stay 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. Throughout the tour, you’ll acquire perception into their way of life, with conventional stay dances, songs, and tales from this era.
Esterházy Castle additionally hosts quite a lot of enjoyable and fascinating occasions. You can take photos sporting your very personal Baroque costume, or join certainly one 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 value: 2,100 HUF (adults) 1,200 (diminished)
- 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 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 fortress 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 value visiting the King’s Hall Pavilion, positioned a number of ft from the property. This pavilion is the final remaining constructing from the unique construction and comprises 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 adorned to mirror the model of when she lived there. The backyard and veranda surrounding the fortress 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 number of. It was offered to the state in 1936 and ultimately used as a jail throughout WWII.
Visitors can now see the renovated fortress in its full glory by exploring one of many many museums on the property. There’s the medieval navy exhibition, the fortress historical past exhibition, a WWI and WWII exhibition, and even a winemaking exhibition. You can even tour the torture chambers, the fortress chapel, and a number of other different rooms that stay from the fortress’s golden years throughout the fifteenth century.