The best forts to visit in Hungary – Part 1

We listed some of the most unique and best tourist locations for the enthusiasts of the Middle Ages, or for those who are interested in Hungarian history. During the holiday season, you can decide about your spring adventures from the warmth of your home.

The original list can be found on Cartourmagazin.hu.

1. Boldogkő Castle

The fortification is a whopping 245 meters high, so it towers over the eastern valley of the river Hernád, from atop its own crag. The fortification is visited by many tourists and, because of its good condition, it is a must-visit location for the Middle Age-enthusiasts. There are necessary accessories for a fort, such as exhibitions, dungeons, souvenir shops, but there is also a boardroom and the ever-so-famous torture-chamber.

Boldogkő Castle, Photo: Wikimedia Commons

2. Füzér Castle

After the invasion of the Tatars between 1241 and 1242, a fortification was needed in order to protect the area. The fort was finished before 1264 atop a volcanic hill next to Füzér. The fort is 552 meters above sea level, so the view is stunning. Throughout the year, people organise exhibitions and theatre plays about the history of the castle. They also organise days to preserve traditions, and we need to mention the Pálinka Festival as well.

Füzér Castle, Photo: Wikimedia Commons

3. Castle of Diósgyőr

This fortification is located on the peripheries of Miskolc and is a rarity in the whole of Europe, not just in Hungary because this castle was built on a flat area. Thus, it had to be fortified in many different ways as well: it has wider than usual moats and massive walls in addition to its great defensive structure. The fortification is present since the 13th century, but it had a major role during the reign of Louis the Great because the king liked to spend his time in the nearby forests. The Knights’ Hall, which was built at that time, was one of the biggest in entire Europe, and its structure was worthy to be the residence of the king. Unlike most other Hungarian forts, this has four towers, which – except for one – were renovated in 2014. The Castle of Diósgyőr is one of Hungary’s most enchanting locations.

Castle of Diósgyőr

4. Castle of Sirok

This fortification lies in a beautiful spot between Hungary’s two major natural wonders, the Bükk, and the Mátra mountainsides. The fort is, naturally, the major tourist attraction of Sirok. Because it is 296 meters above sea level, the mountainside of the Mátra and the smaller towns of the Bükk are easily observable. The fortification has developed a lot over the past decade. Major parts of it were renovated, and its side looking onto the valley got a marvellous floodlight. There is a museum and an exhibition hall in the fortification as well.

Castle of Sirok, Photo: Wikimedia Commons

5. Castle of Kisnána

The fort is the perfect replica of the residence of the Aba family, and it was built somewhere in the 11th and 12th centuries. The renovations of this castle were also in around 2010 and 2011 when the locals made the Old Tower into an exhibition, and a panorama terrace was built in addition. They organise many different activities in the castle for the delight of tourists.

Castle of Kisnána, Photo: Wikimedia Commons, by Takkk at Hungarian Wikipedia

6. Gyula Castle and Bastion

The fortification was built using bricks in the 15th century, and its main goal was to defend the lowlands but, during the Turkish invasion, it soon became one of the key fortresses due to loss of territories. It is located in the city centre of Gulya, next to the boating lake. The fort can be rented; visitors can see plays by the castle theatre, and many concerts are held in the courtyard. In addition, visitors can take a look at the historical castle museum, the knights’ hall, the blacksmith and take a peek into the dreaded torture-chamber.

Gyula Castle and Bastion

7. Castle of Eger

The Castle of Eger is Hungary’s most famous historical sight and the favourite tourist attraction of Eger. The fortress lies on a small hill towering over the historical city centre of Eger. There is a very well-equipped arms exhibition and a beautiful gallery with the most interesting paintings from the Middle Ages within the castle. On the road leading to the castle, there are many restaurants, confectioneries, cafés and souvenir shops.

You can read about the bravest Hungarians, among them the famous István Dobó, the captain of the Castle of Eger, who fended off the siege of the Turks.

Castle of Eger, Photo: Wikimedia Commons

8. Visegrád Castle

The fortification reaches for the sky with its height of 333 meters, towering over everything in the Dunakanyar. Visegrád Castle is one of the most beloved and most visited places in Northern Hungary, thanks to the view and its ambience. The castle was one of the most significant buildings in Hungarian history. Up until the 17th century, many Hungarian kings had stayed here and, during the Renaissance, they transformed it into an exquisite castle. The fortification was built at the command of Albert IV in 1246 and took five years to be finished. Because there is a large forest on the hillside under the castle, there are a lot of possibilities for hikers to discover the surrounding area of the fort by following one of the dozens of hiking paths, but there are some paths for bicycle enthusiasts as well. There is a well-equipped knights’ hall, a wax museum and a castle theatre within the fortification, too.

Visegrád Castle, Photo: Wikimedia Commons

9. Buda Castle

The largest fortress of Hungary is in the heart of its capital, Budapest. Visitors can see the remains of stone buildings from the Middle Ages, so the whole area can be considered a true castle district. It is definitely worth visiting for those who come from other cities, but Buda Castle can even have surprises for those who live in Budapest. If you want to explore the castle thoroughly, it will take a whole day, but it is definitely worth it. Among the castle’s main attractions, there is the National Gallery, the Labirynth, the Matthias Church and the famous Hospital in the Rock.

Buda Castle

10. Citadella

This is the truest fortification of all. The Habsburg Monarch ordered it to be built in 1854, not long after the defeat of the Hungarian War of Independence. The main idea behind it was to have a secondary headquarters for the Austrian army in Buda aside from Buda Castle. Because the second War of Independence did not come, the Austrians left it, and the city council decided to use it as an observatory. After WWII, the Soviets equipped it with ordnance weapons, so it was used for defensive purposes again. The bullet holes from the 1956 Revolution are still visible on its walls today. Near the fort, there are cafés and souvenir shops, and there is a hotel as well as a museum inside. It is a popular site to visit for tourists, possibly due to the stunning view from the Liberty Statue.

Citadella, Photo: Wikimedia Commons

11. Castle of Vajdahunyad

This is also located in Budapest. The interesting thing is that it was made for the 1896 jubilee and is a perfect replica of the Hunyadi Castle originally located in Hunyad county in Transylvania. The original building was in the hands of the Hunyadi family in the 15th century. The replica, Vajdahunyad Castle, is located in one of Budapest’s most beautiful parks, the City Park. It is right beside the small lake that is used for boats in the summer and as a skating rink during winter, on Széchenyi Island. The castle can be divided into three sections architecturally: a Roman-style, a Gothic and a Baroque-Renaissance group of buildings. Despite the three different styles, the castle is a perfect mixture, and it stays harmonious. The Museum and Library of Hungarian Agriculture are also housed in the castle.

You can find more information about the most famous Hunyadi HERE.

Castle of Vajdahunyad, Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Featured image: By Carcea Daniel on Wikimedia Commons

Source: cartourmagazin.hu