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Castle of Visegrad - Visegrad
Region: Budapest & Surr.
Sub-region: Danube bend
Type of sight: Ruins of castles
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A Roman stronghold stood on the Sibrik hill, south of today's castle. Material from its ruins were used when a fortress for the regional commander was built here on the orders of King St. Stephen. There has been extensive archeological excavation.
The building of the present fortress was started after the Mongol Invasion (1241) in the years following 1250. The citadel was built on the steep mountain-peak and the lower fort on the smaller hill by the river Danube. The two were connected by an outer wall fortified with towers. In the 14th century the royal palace was built within the protection of the walls but further down, on the banks of the Danube. It enjoyed its golden age under the rule of king Matthias. The royal crown was kept in the citadel in the last century and a half of the Middle Ages. Ilona Kottaner, lady-in-waiting of Erzsebet (Elisabeth) dowager queen, succeeded in stealing the invaluable emblem of the kingdom in 1440.
Following a short siege, the fortress fell into Turkish hands in 1543. At the end of the century it was reconquered for a short period, but only recaptured for good in 1686. In 1702 the royal high command considered it superfluous for military purposes, and rendered it unserviceable by breaking it up. Some of its stones were carried away. The first excavations were commenced in the nineteen-sixties, but the work has only gathered pace in the last decade. Its restoration as a historic monument is also under way. From up on the walls a beautiful panorama of the Danube Bend opens up. The lower fort is still almost intact, commanded by the huge hexagonal mass of the Salamon-torony (Solomon tower). Inside there is an exhibition.
 Places of interest: there is a Castle History exhibition in the restored chambers. Waxworks show hunting, torture, and the feast at the royal assembly in 1335. The exhibitions are open between 9am-4.30pm (closed on Mondays).
Exploration and restoration of the royal palace by the Danube is progressing well, and there are interesting exhibitions mounted there.
Events and activities: mid-July: International Palace Plays in Visegrad
Source: Nr. 1. hungarytourism.hu |
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