A royal tour in Hungary: The majestic castles that every tourist must visit – VIDEOS

Budapest tourism hospitality Hungary
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Hungary boasts not only vibrant cities and renowned thermal baths but also many impressive historic buildings. The country is also home to a wealth of castles and fortresses that preserve relics of the past and have also appeared in films and TV series.

As a foreigner living in Hungary, it is worth taking the time to explore these special places. Many of the castles are still in excellent condition and offer a fascinating insight into Hungarian history and architecture. Below, we’ll present iconic castles that have become symbols of Hungary’s cultural heritage.

Budapest tourism hospitality Hungary
Illustration: depositphotos.com

Esterházy Castle in Fertőd

If you’re in the western part of Hungary, you can’t miss the Esterházy Castle in Fertőd, which is not only the town’s central attraction but also one of the country’s most important historical and touristic treasures. It was here that Miklós Esterházy’s dreams came true in the second half of the 18th century, and a complex of buildings was born that is often referred to as the “Hungarian Versailles”.

Renowned architects also participated in the construction of the Esterházy Castle, but the guiding hand was that of Miklós Esterházy. The ornate Baroque complex was a unique work of art at the time, rivalling the famous palaces of Vienna and Paris. The palace enjoyed its heyday between 1768 and 1790, when it was a cultural centre of music, theatre and celebrations. The Esterházy Castle is not just a museum: it is also a venue for cultural events, classical music concerts and scientific seminars. The annual Esterházy Festival, the Haydn seminars and numerous international events make the castle a lively centre for art and history lovers.

Festetics Castle in Dég

The Festetics Castle in Dég is Hungary’s only visitable neoclassical castle, built between 1815 and 1819 to the designs of Mihály Pollack. It is surrounded by the largest English garden in the country. The building and its park have been renovated in recent years. The castle was also a secret Masonic centre, and its interiors are decorated in neoclassical style. A special feature is the Dutch House on the park’s lake.

The Festetics Castle in Dég is also a popular location for filming: scenes from the Hollywood spy thriller Red Sparrow (2018) were shot here, as well as the successful Hungarian historical film Kincsem (2017). The castle is a favourite among filmmakers for its unique atmosphere and original classicist style.

Festetics Castle in Keszthely

The Festetics Castle in Keszthely is an outstanding monument of the town. It was built in the 18th century and took its final form in the 1880s. It houses one of the largest aristocratic libraries in Europe, the Helikon Library. The castle houses a congress centre, theatre, hunting museum, carriage collection and model railway exhibition. Its park covers 42 hectares and preserves several rare tree species.

The Festetics Castle’s banqueting hall is the venue for many prestigious cultural events, including concerts, literary evenings and exhibitions. The traditional Helikon celebrations continue in their present form, preserving Keszthely’s cultural heritage. The castle plays a prominent role in the musical, artistic and literary life of the town.

Wenckheim Castle in Szabadkígyós

The Wenckheim Castle in Szabadkígyós is located in the Körös-Maros National Park and is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Hungary. It was built between 1875 and 1879 in neo-renaissance and eclectic style, based on the plans of Miklós Ybl. The 23 hectares of parkland, the ornate interiors and the library, which is of historical monumental importance, still fascinate visitors today. The renovation of the castle began in 2018.

The castle is not only an architectural marvel, but also a venue for numerous cultural events. Its park has been a nature reserve since 1954. The historic site has also been discovered by filmmakers, who filmed the movie “Love Emilia Odor” here. The history of the Wenckheim family and the castle is closely linked to the aristocratic past of Central Europe.

Castle of Tata

The Castle of Tata is not a traditional castle, but a medieval fortress on the shores of the Öreg lake, which was also used for the filming of the Witcher series. It was built by Sigismund of Luxembourg between 1397 and 1409, and King Matthias had it converted into a Renaissance moated castle. It was later shaped by Turkish sieges, the Habsburg era and Esterházy’s alterations. Today, it houses the Domokos Kuny Museum and is constantly being renovated.

A moat has been built around the castle, and the water from the lake has been drained into it. During the Renaissance renovation, an arcaded terrace and ornate halls were built. It was twice occupied by the Turks and then modernised by the Habsburgs. The castle was rebuilt in the Romantic style by the Esterházys, and it is here that the Roman fresco room from Brigetius, which has been completely reconstructed, can be found.

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