HUNGARY Castle of Szigligeti
The most beautiful castle in the Balaton highlands
The history of the castle
The castle built between 1260 and 1262. The castle changed hands several times, from 1521 it became the property of the Tóti Lengyel family for several centuries. During the Turkish wars, it protected Lake Balaton as a border fortress, the Muslim armies could not capture it. The famous Végvár captain Bálint Magyar died here. The castle was destroyed in the 17th century. Lightning strike caused the gunpowder stored in one of the towers to explode, and most of the castle burned down. Emperor Lipót ordered the demolish of castle in 1702.
The castle today
The Szigliget castle is the most spectacular and one of the most popular attractions in the Balaton highlands. The castle stands on the 239-meter-high Várhegy, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Balaton and the witness mountains of the Tapolcai Basin. After its renovation, it became one of the most visited castles in Hungary. The animal-friendly Szigliget castle also hosts concerts and medieval games. In the castle courtyard there is a buffet and a playground with wooden toys.