Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest: photo, description, history, map 2021

Varoshliget is a favorite place for walks for most residents of Budapest and visitors to the city. Here, once upon a time, there were impenetrable swamps that served as hunting grounds for King Matthias. Under Maria Theresa, these possessions were drained, channels were laid, plants and trees were planted. Now there are more than seven thousand of them, there are rare, exotic and ancient ones. Several picturesque man-made lakes adorn the park. One of them reflects the pearl of Varoshliget – Vajdahunyad Castle.

Story

In 1896, for the solemn event dedicated to the millennium of Hungary, a whole ensemble containing 21 buildings was built from wood, plywood and papier-mâché. It reflected the historical past of the country, included elements of many architectural sights. Among them are Shegeshvera fortress, Korvinov castle…. The pavilion was liked by the residents of the capital, it was decided to build something similar out of stone.

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Castle architect

The stone castle was designed by Ignacio Alpara. Interestingly, in childhood, the future great architect was a complete quitter. He graduated from a four-year elementary school only at the age of 15. His parents gave him to work as an assistant to an experienced bricklayer. Having found a profession, the young man already independently and without any prodding graduated from the gymnasium, then the Berlin Academy of Arts, defended his doctorate. In front of the castle there is a monument to a gifted artist, a passion for his beloved work led him to great popularity and respect among his fellow citizens.

Architecture

Vajdahunyad Castle is surrounded by a moat, as befits medieval fortifications. You can get into it by walking along the bridge through the beautiful Gothic-style gates. Further to the left is a copy of the monastery in the Romanesque spirit and a chapel, almost completely repeating the church of the 13th century from the town of Jak on the border with Austria. It was originally planned to make a library here, but later the building was consecrated. Newlyweds often come here on their wedding day, at such moments the national flavor of the Magyars is especially visible here.

After the construction was completed in 1908, the Renaissance part was connected to the baroque palace by a passageway. With a visual difference in appearance, all interior spaces are made in the spirit of baroque. This complex delights with its facade. It is built in the image of romantic trends from the time of Maria Theresa. The building is richly decorated: lovely angels with wings, menacing lion heads, graceful dragons, graceful stone vases. Around the dome with the Hungarian national crown there are sculptures dedicated to the agricultural specialties of the Hungarians: agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, winemaking, plant growing.

Behind the pillar of the Apostles is an Italian plazzo. Exquisite baroque palace with magnificent forms and delightful sculptures amazes with splendor. A neat copy of the tower of the Shegever fortress nearby. The figures of King Matthias and Princess Beatrice of Aragon (it was she who contributed to the birth of the Renaissance in the work of Hungarian masters) are depicted on the walls of the Vajdahunyad castle, after which the entire architectural ensemble bears its name.

Rod Hunyad

The Hunyad clan or Corvins played a significant role in the history of Hungary, they are very revered among the people. Corvina, because the raven is depicted on the family coat of arms, which gave the surname a different name. The Corvin Castle itself is located in Transylvania. People from this dynasty were glorious sons of their homeland. One of them is Janos, a renowned military leader who in the 15th century retained the statehood of Hungary in difficult political conditions, when the country was practically a buffer zone between Western Europe and the Ottoman Empire. His son Matthias later became king, he improved the well-being of the people, was smart and courageous.

In 1944, there was an infantry division of the Waffen SS “Hunyadi”, consisting of 15 thousand Hungarian volunteers and conscripts. From the song, as they say, you can't throw out the words. After all, they also went into battle to their deaths, like heroes. The complex was heavily bombed during World War II. Damage was also caused by the events of the armed uprising of 1956. In the 1990s, a complete restoration was made. The castle once again shone with beauty.

What else to see

The courtyard in the castle gives the walkers a special pleasure. Pleasant alleys around wonderful flower beds, elegant benches and various sculptures…. Street musicians delight with enchanting sounds. Sometimes these are musical groups that you simply cannot pass by and not stop after listening. And with the onset of darkness, the illumination turns on. The walls of the castle, already stunning, turn into fabulous scenery.

The highlight of this courtyard is the monument to the monk Anonymous, at the beginning of the 13th century, being a chronicler at Bela III, he wrote “The Acts of the Hungarians”. The importance of this opus for history can hardly be overestimated. Now this sculpture is a place of pilgrimage not only for tourists. Students flock here, especially the humanities, to get a piece of genius by rubbing the pen in the right hand of Anonymous.

Are you planning to travel to Budapest with a child? Be sure to check out Where to go with a child in Budapest.