Renovation of Hungary’s earliest stone castle on top of volcano cone continues: it looks marvellous – PHOTOS

The renovation of one of Hungary’s earliest stone castles ruling the nearby valleys and the Zemplén Mountains from a volcano top, the Castle of Füzér, continues with the project’s third phase. The subcontractor has already been selected. Check out some photos of the magnificent castle in our article below.

One of the castle’s ladies was the “Hungarian female Dracula”

The Castle of Füzér is one of our most unique heritage. The stronghold is on top of a 522-metre-high hill, proudly standing on a volcano cone. Moreover, it is one of Hungary’s oldest stone castles.

Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér

The castle was built in the beginning of the 13th century. After the lost Battle of Mohács, marking the end of the Medieval Kingdom of Hungary (1526), the Holy Crown of Hungary was kept within its walls since Péter Perényi, the crown guard, brought it here after the coronation of János Szapolyai. It remained in the castle for almost a year.

Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér

Hungarian aristocrats owned the castle. Some bore historic names like the Báthory, Nádasdy and Károlyi families. In the 17th century, one of its owners was Elizabeth Báthory, the so-called Hungarian “female Dracula”, who was believed to have bathed in blood. We wrote about the horror stories surrounding her in THIS article.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Elizabeth_Bathory_Portrait.jpg

Hungary’s earliest stone castle being rebuilt step by step

In 1676, the Austrian Army purged the fort, and people living in the nearby valleys began to use its stones as building materials. Its revival started after 1990 when historians excavated its entire territory, Magyar Építők wrote. HERE you may read the story of the castle.

The Lower Castle was rebuilt between 2012 and 2015, and a visitors’ trail was created. Afterwards, the Gothic-style chapel of the Upper Castle was rebuilt. Then the Palace Wing, the cellar, the attic and the Lower Bastion were next.

The Romantic ruins of the castle. Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér

In the second phase, they rebuilt the Kitchen and the Bakery House. In the third phase, the LAKI Épületszobrász Ltd. will rebuild the Gate Tower, the Steward’s House, the Clock Tower and the prison. Moreover, they will strengthen the castle’s walls and cover the castle garden. The cost reaches HUF 3,98 billion (EUR 10 million).

HERE you may read how you can visit the castle.

Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér

Read also:

• Fancy buying a castle in Hungary on a budget? Here’s your opportunity – PHOTOS and more in THIS article
• Splendidly restored Hungarian castle inaugurated – read more HERE