Here are the most beautiful castles close to Budapest – PHOTOS

Budapest is one of the world’s most beautiful capitals and is full of wonders. However, if you want to know more about Hungary’s history, culture, and architecture than what the capital can offer, you should visit the following castles close to Budapest. Furthermore, these places are perfect destinations for a spring or summer trip because the buildings and their environment are astonishing. Below you can find the collection of Blikk.

The citadel of Visegrád

The fortress you can visit today is not the first built on Visegrád Hill in the Danube Bend. Tatars destroyed the first fort built on Sibrik Hill on the foundations of a Roman fortification in 1240–1241, Blikk reported.

The double fortress of Visegrád was built between 1250 and 1260, following the orders of Béla IV (1235–1270), the “second founder of Hungary”. Interestingly, the dowry of his Greek wife, Maria Laskarina, covered the costs. The new fort consisted of walls surrounding the hilltop, two towers, and a palace. Charles I of Hungary (1301–1342) extended the complex after he placed the court in Visegrád. Furthermore, he organised the meeting of Czech and Polish kings in Visegrád. There, among others, he agreed with Polish king Casimir III the Great that if Casimir died without an heir, Charles’s son would inherit the throne.

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Holy-Roman Emperor Sigismund (Hungarian king between 1387–1437) continued the work, while Mathias I (1456–1490) created a Renaissance hub in Visegrád.

Current exhibitions:

• The History of the Castle
• A Miniature of the Fort
• The History of the Holy Crown of Hungary
• Wax Museum
• Hunting and Fishing

Entrance fees:

• Adult: HUF 1,800 (EUR 5)
• Pensioner: HUF 900 (EUR 2.5)

Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Distance from Budapest: approx. 50 km

Nógrád

The fortress of Nógrád (Novigrad = New Fort) is Hungary’s oldest irregular castle with an inner tower. The fort is on a 60-metre-high hill surrounded by a plateau. László IV (1272–1290) gave the royal castle to the bishop of Vác, who erected an inner fort divided by a deep dike from the rest of the fortification in the 15th century. The old tower is a symbol of Nógrád and was completed at this time, too. 

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Distance from Budapest: approx. 60 km

The castle is open every day and is free to visit.

Bory Castle in Székesfehérvár

It is probably among the most special castles in the world: Jenő Bory built it alone between 1923 and 1959, mostly without machines. One of its special characteristics is the advanced use of reinforced concrete. It is often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Székesfehérvár since Bory built it for his wife, painter Ilona Komócsin.

Entrance fee:

• Adults: HUF 2,000 (EUR 5)
• Students: HUF 1,000 (EUR 2.5)

Opening times: every day from 9 am to 5 pm

Distance from Budapest: 60 km

The fortress of Tata

The romantic fort was built in the 14th century, and its golden age falls between the reign of Sigismund and Mathias I. It was built as a hunting castle, and it has Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic features and parts. Since 1954, it has been used as a museum. The biggest exhibition is the Roman-era and Middle Ages lapidarium. Those less interested in it can take a look at the Gothic Hall of the castle featuring a gigantic, reconstructed stove from the Sigismund era. Another exhibition shows the story of the pottery in Tata, the famous crab ceramics, and the history of the local guilds.

Entrance fees:

• Adults: HUF 1,000 (EUR 2.5)
• Students, pensioners: HUF 500 (EUR 1.5)

Opening times: every day from 9 am to 5 pm

Distance from Budapest: approx. 70 km

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Source: Blikk.hu