Hungarian castles

Arrival in Budapest, pick-up of vehicle, hotel accommodation

Start with the Royal Castle of Budapest, a witness to Hungarian history: built in the 13th century under the Arpadian dynasty, it was completely destroyed and rebuilt after the Second World War. Today, you can visit the Budapest History Museum and admire medieval religious works of art at the Hungarian National Gallery in the former castle building. Don't forget to go down through the Várkert bazár, fantastic buildings and gardens that were built by Miklós Ybl at the end of the 19th century.

Not far from the capital, transport yourself to Visegrád, the seat of royal power in the days of the Anjou. After discovering the ruins of the citadel and the Renaissance palace of King Mathias, climb to the top for a panoramic view, 360° on the curve of the Danube.

Continue on the Danube loop to reach the first Hungarian capital. Esztergom and its medieval royal palace, whose remains date back to the 12th century. It is also an opportunity to admire the neoclassical basilica of Esztergom, whose dome supported by no less than 24 columns makes it the largest religious building in Hungary and the fourth largest in the world.

In Northern Transdanubia, follow in the footsteps of the Great Beethoven in Martonvásár. In this small town is the Brunswick residence, a small neo-Gothic castle to which the Austrian composer, a friend of the Brunswick family, liked to go. In the beautiful Lake Balaton region, visit Székesfehérvár, called Alba Regia in Roman times. In addition to being the oldest city in the country, it was the site of the coronation of Hungarian kings for centuries. From there, notify the amazing romantic castle Bory (Bory-vár). Also visit Fehérvárcsurgó Castle, where you can choose to reside.

Continue with the former county of Veszprém, the residence city of the queens of Hungary, which has the remains of about twenty castles. Among them, the city of Nagyvázsony and its medieval castle, which a miller (Kinizsi) promoted to knight for his good services to the king, transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 16th century. Then pass through the small town of Sümeg to admire its beautifully restored fortress. Explore the capital of the Lake Balaton region and the Baroque castle of the Festetics dynasty in Keszthely, a reference in terms of luxury and cultural influence in 18th and 19th centuries Europe Visit the historical landmark of Szigetvár. Its ancestors and fortresses are famous for their heroic resistance to the siege of the men of Suleiman the Magnificent in 1566. The sultan died there and the brave Hungarians of this irreducible village preserved Europe from Turkish domination.

Turn northeast to reach the castles of Eger (medieval fortress), Hollóko, Salgó and Somosko, on the Slovak border. Continue to Diósgyori-vár in the vicinity of Miskolc (medieval castle) and to Sárospatak for its Renaissance castle. Return to Budapest