HUNGARY Castle of Simontornya
Medieval fortress on the banks of the Sió canal
The history of the castle
The Castle of Simontornya is a Renaissance monument. It was built in the 1270s by Salamon of the Döröcske family his son Simon the sub-county judge in the Gothic style. The castle and later the city got its name from him. In the Middle Ages the Sió meandered, forming a wide marshy valley, with one of its islands standing out from its floodplain Simon built the old tower as a landlord's accommodation. Until the end of the 13th century, it was possible only on two bridges to approach. The former eponymous tower no longer exists. Over the centuries, several families inherits and owns the castle, the look of which is now significantly different from the one built by Simon. In the 1930s, it functioned as a tannery warehouse. The remains of the outer circular walls surrounding the castle are in a very dilapidated state, but can still be seen today. The additions are everywhere different from the old, thin red brick masonry are distinguished. From the castle's former buildings, the gate tower, the old tower, the the staircase block and the palace wing have been restored and are still standing today. The completely destroyed north wing a modern building was built over its remains.
The castle today
Nowadays, temporary or permanent exhibitions are organized. Unfortunately, the castle was not included in the National Castle Castle Program, but it deserves it, as it is one of the best condition in Hungary lowland Renaissance castle. You can enter the castle against the entrance fee. The archaeological finds were exhibited in the rooms on the ground floor and upstairs. In the large hall on the first floor, you can see the ancient gallery of the nobles of Tolna, from the 18th to the 19th centuries. we can get to know the local lords in 19th century portraits.