Somló Castle

The Somló Castle, which was first mentioned in 1352 but likely built after the Mongol Invasion of Hungary in 1241-1242, will see a complete renovation with additional developments.

“The openings in the walls will be excavated, the internal walkway will be restored, the partitions and doors will be reconstructed, the courtyard will be paved, drainage will be built, and a green area will be created,” said Tamás Glázer, the managing director of Nemzeti Heritage Protection Development Nonprofit Kft.

He also added that “Veszprém county has a prominent place in the field of the renewal of castles and chateaux, as the Sümeg castle and the bishop’s palace, the castle of Nagyvázsony, and the castle of Várpalota will await visitors in a renewed form.”

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Visegrad Castle

Visegrád is a small castle town in Pest County, Hungary. It is north of Budapest on the right bank of the Danube in the Danube Bend. It had a population of 1,864 in 2010.

Visegrád is famous for the remains of the Early Renaissance summer palace of King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and the medieval citadel.

Visegrád was first mentioned in 1009 as a county town and the chief town of an archdeaconry. After the destructive Mongol invasion of Europe in 1242, the town was rebuilt in a slightly different location to the south. King Charles, I of Hungary made Visegrád the royal seat of Hungary in 1325.

At the same time, his diplomat Stephen Sáfár was appointed castellan.

In 1335, Charles hosted at Visegrád a two-month congress with the Bohemian king, John of Luxembourg, and the Polish king, Casimir III. It was crucial in creating peace between the three kingdoms and securing an alliance between Poland and Hungary against Habsburg Austria. Another congress followed in 1339.

Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary and Croatia in personal union with Hungary, moved the royal seat to Budabetween 1405 and 1408. King Matthias Corvinus (1443–1490), King of Hungary, used Visegrád as a country residence.

Visegrád lost importance after the partition of the Kingdom of Hungary following the Battle of Mohács in 1526.

In 1991, the leading politicians of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland met here to form a periodical forum, the Visegrád group, with an intentional allusion to the meeting centuries earlier in 1335.

Visegrád was granted town privileges again in 2000.

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Siklos Castle

The Castle of Siklós is a medieval castle in Siklós, Hungary.

The castle was built by Baron János György Benyó in the 13th century in the town of Siklósin the southern part of Hungary near Pécs. It was first mentioned in a charter from 1294.

The oldest building is in the southern part of the residential wing. After the original family died out it became the property of the Garai family. In 1401 disgruntled nobles led by Count György II Benyóvszky temporarily imprisoned king Sigismund in the castle.

By the 16th century, the next owner was the palatine (viceroy) Imre Perényi. From 1728 Siklós belonged to the counts of Batthyány. Legend has it that a giant snake guarded the treasures in the basement.

The castle also houses a chapel built in the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle was built and owned by the Benyóvszky de Siklósvarbranch of the family until it was nationalized in 1948.

In World War II the castle was heavily damaged, and between the end of the war and the death of Count Rudólf II Benyóvszky de Siklósvar in 1955, it was taken over by the state. In 1955 archaeological research and restoration was started, and the castle began operating as a museum and hotel.

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Szigliget Castle

This 750-year-old castle is truly one of the most popular attractions on the northern shore of Lake Balaton in Hungary.

It is bordered on the south by Lake Balaton and on the north by the fields and mountains of Tapolca. From anywhere you approach the castle and the surrounding area, as the sights of Szigliget are noticeable from afar.

The adventurous history of Szigliget Castle began in the 13th century. The settlement belonging to the castle changed owners several times, and one of its most important roles was given during the reign of King Bela IV.

After the terrible and devastating Tartar invasion, the king decided that he would build stone castles all over the country because only these could protect the country.

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Sumeg Castle

The castle of Sümeg is a castle by the town of Sümeg, Veszprém county, Hungary.

Built in the mid or late 13th century by Béla IV of Hungary, Sümeg Castle is situated on top of a mountain called “Castle Hill”, 20 miles north of Lake Balaton.

During its existence, it has been expanded several times. In the 15th century, it was fortified, and the second of two towers was built. It has been under siege several times, and has experienced two fires.

Today, it is the main tourist attraction for visitors to Sümeg.

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Buda Castle

Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest. It was first completed in 1265, but the massive Baroque palace today occupying most of the site was built between 1749 and 1769.

The complex in the past was referred to as either the Royal Palace (Hungarian: Királyi-palota) or the Royal Castle. The castle now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and The Budapest History Museum.

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