Plans are underway to rebuild the ruins of the former Botszentgyörgy Castle, just outside Nagykanizsa, on the remains of Hungary’s only fully excavated Renaissance-era fortress from the time of King Matthias. The estimated timeline is fifteen years, with projected costs exceeding a billion forints (roughly EUR 2.5 million).
At the foundation’s public debut Friday in Nagykanizsa, Ferenc Vukics, president of the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for the Reconstruction of the Botszentgyörgy Castle, reflected on the region’s once-critical military significance. During the Ottoman era, Kanizsa held strategic importance that was comparable to Eger. However, almost no trace remains of its historic fortifications—including the castle located in what is now the Miklósfa district of Nagykanizsa, which once served as an outer fortress defending Kanizsa.
A previous foundation had reportedly launched an initiative to rebuild the site, known locally as the “romlottvár” or “ruined castle,” but was later dissolved. A new organization was established a month and a half ago with the goal of fully restoring the Renaissance castle over the course of 15 years.
Currently, the plan is to gradually reconstruct the castle into a historical and tourist site, with projected costs exceeding one billion forints. With public funding and support from volunteers, completion is targeted for 2040. The revitalized landmark would also be economically sustainable, according to the foundation president.
Historian Viktor Kanász noted that in the 16th and 17th centuries, Kanizsa drew attention from across Europe. A multinational coalition, including Spanish, English, Italian, Czech, Polish, and Croatian soldiers, united to drive out the Ottomans and halt their push toward Austria and Italy. These efforts were part of a broader Christian alliance.
Renowned battles in the region, including the death of fortress commander György Thury, have been preserved in visual art, poetry, and historical memory. In fact, Turkey produced a feature film in 1982 titled Kanizsa Siege, underscoring the Turks’ continued fascination with the city’s history.
László Vándor, retired director of the Göcsej Museum and lead archaeologist of the castle excavation, explained that the Both family from Bajna received permission from King Matthias in 1480 to build the original fortress. The castle served as a key defensive outpost for Kanizsa until it was destroyed by an explosion in 1577. The ruins remained visible into the 19th century but were eventually dismantled by locals for building materials.
The site underwent a significant archaeological excavation in 1976, uncovering the castle’s western economic wing. Later, in the late 1980s, researchers fully unearthed the foundational layout and cellar. The findings suggest the castle housed two families, featured its own bell tower and chapel, and included a 25-meter-deep well. Post-renovation, the structure took on a Renaissance architectural style.
Artifacts recovered include fragments of church bells, ornately carved stones from doors and windows, pieces of stained glass, a bronze barrel tap, and numerous crossbow bolts. To date, this remains the only fully excavated Matthiasean-era castle in Hungary. However, the condition of the ruins has deteriorated further under a previously built, now-collapsed protective roof.
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