PHOTOS, VIDEO: Surroundings of Hungary’s only Renaissance castle to get a makeover

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The area surrounding Simontornya Castle in Tolna County is getting a completely new look. The project will be financed by EU grants.

The makeover

The mayor of Simontornya, József Torma, told InfoRádio about the renewal of the castle’s surroundings. He said that the area would be given a new appearance with a budget of HUF 236 million (EUR 608,376) thanks to the Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme. Among other things, the sum will be used to construct roads and pavements, extend the green space and build a 160-square-metre reception building. In addition, overhead wires around the castle will be removed, and a new parking area with 40 spaces will be built nearby. The investment is expected to be completed by 2025.

Then, according to the plans, visitors will be able to enjoy thematic tours exploring the building and its environment. Moreover, information boards, virtual tours and 3D reconstructions will provide further information for those visiting the castle.

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Reconstruction of the castle

The mayor hopes that the restoration of the castle itself will also be possible in the future. He believes that this would be much needed, as the last time the building was renovated was in 1975. The mayor has been working on this initiative for several years with the heads of the National Palace Programme (Nemzeti Kastélyprogram) and the National Castle Programme (Nemzeti Várprogram).

As the castle has undergone only minor structural alterations since the Renaissance rebuilding, the reconstructed pictures of the castle have shed light on many details. The 3D reconstructions were created by Pazirik Ltd.

The castle in the 15th century. Prt Sc/YouTube

simontornya renaissance castle reconstruction

The castle has undergone a major transformation in the 16th century. Prt Sc/YouTube

Built in the 13th century, it initially consisted only of a residential tower. The tower was called Simon’s tower (Simon tornya), after which the village was named. In the early 1500s, the castle was rebuilt in Renaissance style. It reached its heyday in the 18th century. The castle has been a protected monument since 1960 and was opened to the public in 1975, as the video below reveals. The video, which is available with English subtitles, tells the detailed history of the castle with the help of a 3D reconstruction of the castle building.