Bethlen Castle: A Hungarian family’s historic home restored – PHOTOS, VIDEOS

The historic Bethlen Castle was inaugurated in Transylvania, marking a triumph for Hungarian cultural preservation. Local people take great pride of the renovation, hoping that it will create a kind of castle tourism, attract visitors and generate employment opportunities.

Pride in cultural heritage

The Hungarian people, who cherish the legacies of their ancestors in the Carpathian Basin, are actively engaged in safeguarding this treasure. According to Turizmus.com, János Nagy, the State Secretary and leader of the Prime Minister’s Office, expressed these sentiments during the inauguration of the restored Bethlen Castle in Szászbonyha, Transylvania. The Bethlen Castle stands as a testament to Hungary’s unwavering commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. The Bethlen family reclaimed the castle and donated it to the Transylvanian Reformed Church District (EREK). This generous gesture has garnered recognition as a model of cultural value preservation.

A 5,000-year-old castle reborn

In 2017, the Transylvanian Reformed Women’s Association embarked on a mission. It was to restore and revitalise the 5,000-year-old Bethlen Castle, the birthplace of Kata Bethlen the Orphan. The castle had fallen into disrepair during the communist era and was returned to its rightful owners in a dilapidated state. At that time, a petition gathered over 6,000 signatures, urging Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to support this noble cause. The Hungarian government heeded the call and provided HUF 2 billion (EUR 5,219,324) to achieve the community objective. János Nagy praised the Women’s Association for its longstanding commitment to helping the sick, the elderly, widows, orphans, the underprivileged, large families and children. Beyond its charitable activities, the association has also embraced the noble responsibility of preserving and enriching cultural values.

Here are some photos from maszol.ro, a Hungarian newspaper in Romania:

An expression of gratitude

The inauguration ceremony took place in the castle’s courtyard. Bishop Béla Kató of the REF encouraged over 4,000 faithful individuals from across Transylvania to express their gratitude for this remarkable restoration. Hunor Kelemen, the President of the Hungarian Democratic Alliance of Romania (RMDSZ), commended the restoration of the historic heritage, underlining how it bolsters the Hungarian community’s national identity. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Bethlen family for their generous act of donating their historical heritage. Kelemen also acknowledged the church’s exceptional stewardship in restoring numerous churches and historic buildings.

Celebration:

The Future Vision for Bethlen Castle

The precise role of the newly inaugurated Bethlen Castle remains undisclosed. However, according to the Transylvanian portal Kronika.ro, the castle will serve as a community space for the Women’s Association. Additionally, it will house a permanent exhibition dedicated to Transylvanian noble families and the renowned writer Kata Bethlen, a prominent figure among the Reformed. The Women’s Association also hopes to boost tourism to the castle, despite the absence of immediate accommodations in the vicinity.

The inauguration of the Bethlen Castle stands as a resounding testament to Hungary’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. It breathes new life into an invaluable piece of history, fostering a sense of unity within the Hungarian community in Transylvania.

If you want to read more about castles, check out our previous articles on the most spectacular Hungarian castles and the iconic Buda Castle, which ranks among the top 10 of Europe’s most charming castles.

Here is a video of the castle’s inauguration by Hunor Kelemen, the president of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ):

Source: Turizmus.com