The Castle of Eger

One of the best-known symbols of patriotic persistence is the castle of Eger.

It was defended by a handful of Hungarian warriors  from a huge Turkish army in 1552. Géza Gárdonyi pays homage to it in his novel Stars of Eger (Eclipse of the Crescent Moon).

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The church of the bishopric of Eger founded by king  St. Steven was built on the castle hill. It was rebuilt several times, first in Romanesque, later in Gothic style. The stone castle was built after the Mongolo-Tartarian invasion in the 13th c. and it was rebuilt many times until the 18th c.

Now it is home of István Dobó Castle Museum with several permanent exhibitions:

Gothic Bishop's Palace – the history of the castle of Eger;

Hall of the Heroes – exhibition in honour of the defenders of the castle in 1552.

Kazamaták (Underground corridors) – the undreground system of the castle, Romanesque and Gothic lapidarium

Ruin garden – renovated ruins of the Romanesque, Gothic and late-Gothic cathedral.

Picture gallery – works of 16th-19th c. painters.

Prison exhibition – tools of execution, torture, humiliation in past Hungary.

Waxworks

Thanks to the history of the castle and the exhibitions of the castle museum the castle is one of the most visited touristic sights in Hungary.

Gallery