Visegrád

The millenary city of Visegrád lies in the central part of the Curve of the Danube, in the belt of the Visegrádi-mountains, at a distance of 40 km from Budapest. The town can be reached from route 11, which leads through the settlement at the Danube. From its harbour ferries operate to Nagymaros and during the summer riverboat pleasure trips from Budapest also make a halt.

Due to its favourable facilities, throughout the history Visegrád enjoyed crucial strategic role for the Celtic, the Romans, the Avar and the Hungarians. During the Roman Era it was home to fortifications and a military camp of utmost importance along the Pannonian Limes. Following the Tatar invasion Béla IV and Queen Mária started to construct the double castle system to be seen also today, the parts of which are the Citadel (Fellegvár) at an altitude of 328 m, the Lower Castle (Alsóvár) on the hill below, and the Water Bastion (Vízibástya) at the Danube Bank.

Visegrád became of international significance during the reign of the Anjou Dynasty. Charles Robert built two three-story castle wings in the Citadel in the 1320s and moved his headquarters here in 1323. This is when the Holy Crown was taken to the city, as well. The famous Visegrád Royal Summit took place here in 1335 when Charles Robert established a Hungarian-Polish-Czech diplomatic alliance with Casimir III and John of Luxembourg. Apart from discussing the commercial and inheritance issues, the emperors and their attendants participated in lavish dinners, knight tournaments and hunts. In 1991 the related countries called into existence the “Visegrád Four” (Visegrádi Négyek) co-operation, in order to cultivate the common traditions. Under the reign of King Matthias, the settlement revived its days of glory. Recognised personalities of the era, including philosophers, literary scholars and artists were present in the renaissance court. The palace enriched by late gothic elements reached its final form during the monumental constructions by King Matthias.

The knight tournaments of bygone times are recalled by the three-day event series of the Visegrád International Royal Palace Fair (Visegrádi Nemzetközi Palotajátékok). The royal processions and knight tournaments are organised while bearing in mind historic trueness, with more than thousand participants in costumes. The fair accompanying the palace games evokes the atmosphere of medieval towns. Beside the presentation of various crafts, visitors can also learn the handling of medieval weapons. Two other notable events are the Summer Music Nights (Zenés Nyári Esték) and Renaissance Nights (Reneszánsz Esték). The exhibitions of the King Matthias Museum are housed in the Royal Palace, the Solomon Tower and the Archidiaconal Church. The exhibition presents the history of the castle and the life of the renaissance court of King Matthias, illustrated by contemporary artefacts.

Visegrád is worth a visit not only due to its historical monuments, but also for the natural treasures of the surrounding Visegrád and Pilis Mountains. The area with abundant flora and landscape rarities welcomes backpackers with two study pathways, forest playgrounds and campgrounds. The Mogyoró Hill hiking centre includes among others a game preserve and the House of Forest Culture, which is an ideal destination for families. An attraction, which is very popular among both children and adults is the toboggan run winding by the Nagyvillám lookout tower, which operates during winter and summer. Tourists arriving to Visegrád are welcome by guest houses, pensions, castle hotels and a four-star thermal hotel.

Sources: http://www.vendegvaro.hu/, http://hu.wikipedia.org/, http://www.visegrad.hu/, Dr. Dénes György: Budapest és a Dunakanyar. Carthographia, Budapest. 2001