The Castle of Eger: History, What to See & Travel Tips
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Eger is one of the places schools organize field trips for, and I have memories of visiting the Eger Castle when I was a school kid. Recently, I returned to Eger after many years and really loved to explore the castle and everything that Eger has to offer.
The Castle of Eger is a historic place in Hungary, and it is mostly known for its role in the successful defence against the Ottoman Empire during the Siege of 1552. Although the Hungarian victory during the 1552 Siege didn’t stop the Ottoman expansion into Hungary permanently, it became a symbol of Hungarian courage and resistance.
Today, the castle houses various museums and exhibitions, offering visitors insight into its more than 1,000 years of history. You need around 2-3 hours to explore the castle, however, if you are short on time, you can visit it quickly in one hour.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO EGER
🚘 Rent a Car to Eger: Discover Cars
🏠 Book Accommodation in Eger: Margaréta Garden & Spa
💳 Get a Travel Card: Wise Card
Information for Visiting
Location
- The address of the Castle of Eger is: Vár köz 1, 3300 Eger, Hungary. Check on google maps here.
The Castle of Eger is located close to the city center of Eger. The center is not too big, and can be easily walked. So, when arriving in Eger, I recommend to park or get dropped by the city center, then both the castle and other attractions will be in walking distance.
Opening Hours
- Everyday 9 am – 6 pm (but the museums within the castle close at 4 pm).
When we visited, we also went to check out the museums, and it was totally worth it. While I liked walking around the castle grounds, being able to see the museum exhibitions has helped me to understand the history of the castle better.
Entry Tickets
The ticket to the Egri Castle costs HUF 4,800 (USD 15) and it includes entry to the museums within the castle grounds. Discounted tickets are available for kids and elderly.
Eger Castle Map
Castle of Eger History
The Castle of Eger (“Egri vár” in Hungarian) played a significant role in Hungary’s history and it is one of the best places to visit in Eger.
The castle was built in the 13th century initially with thin walls. As artillery weapons became widespread in Europe in the 14-15th century, the Eger Castle was vulnerable with its thin walls.
The Eger Castle was a strategic fortress in Hungary, and so, in the 15th century, the castle was redesigned with thicker walls to be able to withstand artillery. In the meantime, the Ottoman Empire was advancing into the Balkans, and wanted to expand its control over Hungary.
The Castle of Eger became well-known for its defence of the castle against the army of the Ottoman Empire in 1552. The soldiers in the castle were greatly outnumbered, with only 2,000 people in the castle (both soldiers and civilians) against 40,000-60,000 soldiers in the Ottoman army.
The soldiers in the Eger Castle were led by captain Dobó István who used smart strategies to defend the castle. Tactics included pouring down hot tar and liquid on the Ottoman soldiers down the castle walls. Even the women in the castle joined the soldiers to defend the castle.
Ultimately, the soldiers and civilians in the castle were able to stop the Ottoman army and won the battle. Their victory has since been celebrated as a symbol of Hungarian courage.
Even though the Hungarian soldiers won the battle in 1552, the Ottoman Empire continued its quest to expand over Hungary. In 1596, the Castle of Eger lost the battle against the Ottoman Empire, and Eger fell under the Turkish occupation.
Eger was under occupation for 91 years, although during this period the town was developed with added cultural values: the Turkish bath and Minaret built during this time are popular attractions today.
As the Castle of Eger had an important role within Hungary’s history, it remains an important place to visit. Many schools also organize school trips to visit the castle, so most Hungarian kids visit the castle growing up.
I also visited Eger and the castle when I was a kid, and recently, got the chance to return after more than 15 years. I was so amazed by Eger and the castle, so I definitely recommend visiting the town.
What to See at the Eger Castle
Inside the Eger Castle, it is not only the remaining walls of the castle, but the castle ground holds multiple buildings that were turned into museums.
For me, the most interesting was to visit the museums as you get to learn about the 1000-year history of the Eger Castle and what life in Hungary was like back then. The information of museum exhibitions is available in both English and Hungarian.
Plus, from the top of the bastion, you also get pretty nice panoramic views of Eger!
Heroes’ Hall
The Eger Castle is the most famous for their victory over the Ottoman Empire during the Siege in 1552, and the Heroes’ Hall commemorates the captain, soldiers, women, and other civilians who fought at that time to defend the castle.
In the middle of the hall, there is a tombstone for Dobó István, who was the captain of the castle during the 1552 Siege. However, he is not buried here, the tomb is more just like a remembrance.
On the wall behind the tombstone, there are the names of people who were fighting in the castle during the 1552 Siege. There were around 2,000 people in the castle during the siege (both soldiers and civilians), but only the names of 315 people are known.
There are also 6 big statues in the hall, they are symbolizing all the people who fought in the siege, including the soldiers and women.
Museum: History of Eger Castle (in Bishop’s Palace)
The museum is located on the top floor of the Bishop’s Palace building, right across from where you enter the castle. On the ground floor of the building, they have beautiful archways that look beautiful (although not part of the museum).
The museum takes you through the 1000-year history of the Eger Castle, highlighting important cultural, military, and lifestyle events.
Starting from the foundation of the Diocese of Eger in 1009 by King Stephen I (laid the religious and administrative foundations of Eger), the castle’s role as a military border fortress during the Ottoman occupation, to the present day.
Overall, I enjoyed visiting the museum and found that it is really well-maintained. I really liked the exhibition showing various artefacts that were used in the castle throughout its history and wish I had more time to spend here.
The Dungeon
The Dungeon exhibits the different types of punishment and executions that were used in medieval Hungary
It can get a bit heavy to visit the museum, as it explains brutal methods and torture that was used as a form of punishment. After reading a few different methods, I couldn’t even continue to read all as it was too hard to bear.
While the rest of the castle is fine to visit for all age groups, it is mentioned that the dungeon is not recommended for kids under 12.
Memorial Museum of Géza Gárdonyi
Géza Gárdonyi is a famous Hungarian author. He used to live in Eger, and the memorial house was set up in the house where he used to live between 1897 – 1922.
He wrote many of his novels while staying here. One of his most famous novels, the Eclipse of the Crescent Moon (“Egri csillagok” in Hungarian) centers on the 1552 Siege against the Ottoman Army.
The novel depicts the heroic actions of the soldiers, civilians, and women defending the castle, and was later also turned into a movie.
The museum itself is outside of the castle but very close. The ticket to the Eger Castle is also valid to enter here.
How Long to Spend at the Castle of Eger
It can take 2-3 hours to check out all the museums and exhibitions at the castle properly.
When we visited, we only spent around one hour at the castle. We were short on time and only visited a few exhibitions. Looking back, I wish we had more time and then we could have enjoyed exploring the castle more.
Nearby Attractions
Eger may be the most famous for the Castle of Eger, but there are so many things to do in the city.
- Basilica of Eger: The Basilica of Eger is the second largest church in Hungary – almost 90 m (295 ft) tall including the dome. It has stunning interior and is must-see in Eger.
- Minaret: The Minaret in Eger is one of three remaining minarets in Hungary. It dates back to when the Ottoman Empire ruled Hungary between 1541-1699. It’s 40 meters (131 ft) tall and you can go up to the top to see panoramic views of Eger.
- Old Town: The Old Town of Eger is in and around Dobó István Square and it is the most charming part of the city. There are cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and cute cafes and restaurants. Walking through the Old Town makes you feel like you went back in time.
- Beatles Museum: The Beatles Museum is for music fans. It was established by two friends who have been collecting Beatles memorabilia for over 45 years. There are now over 2,500 memorabilia in the museum, including old photos, albums, and recordings.
- Thermal Baths: Hungary is known for its thermal baths, and there are also baths in Eger to relax in.
Check out the best things to do in Eger: my city guide to Eger including historic sites, museums, baths & best places to eat!
How to Get to Eger Castle from Budapest
Eger is well connected to Budapest, and you can travel from Budapest to Eger by car, train or bus.
We visited Eger by car, as it was the easiest option for us. If you need to rent a car for your trip, I recommend Discover Cars. There is also an option to pick it up from the Budapest Airport after arrival.
The trains go from the Keleti Train Station in Budapest, and is the second best option to get to Eger. As for the buses, they go from the Stadion Bus Station in Budapest. Both the trains and buses take around 2 hours to get from Budapest to Eger.
Rent a car by Discover Cars: it is an affordable rental car service, and it makes traveling in Hungary so easy and comfortable.
Where to Stay near the Castle of Eger
The Castle of Eger is located centrally, right next to the town center of Eger. The town center is not too big and the major attractions can be easily walked.
For this reason, I recommend staying in the center of Eger, so, you’re not only in walking distance to the Castle, but also to other attractions, such as the Basilica, and the Minaret.
My top recommendation is the Margaréta Garden and Spa for a stay in Eger. It is close to the center, so you can explore the major attractions on foot. I like the most that it has a private wellness & spa with sauna and hot tub, but you have to book it separately.
Book Margaréta Garden and Spa for a relaxing holiday in Eger!
Where to Eat near the Castle of Eger
There are many restaurants in the Old Town part of Eger, around the Dobó István Square. The restaurants serve both Hungarian and international dishes.
We also ate here at one of the restaurants at the square. The restaurants have such nice designs, and there is even a cat café. When the weather is good, the restaurants have outdoor seats which is so nice to soak in the sun.
Some of the best places for food are the HBH restaurant (Hungarian and international dishes), BÖTYE Lángos for lángos (Hungarian salty snack), and Palacsintavár for pancakes.
FAQs: The Castle of Eger, Hungary
How long to spend at Eger Castle?
It is good if you visit the Eger Castle leaving at least 2 hours to explore the place. The Eger Castle has many museums inside and you could need around 2-3 hours to visit all the exhibitions.
When we visited the castle, we only around one hour to check all the museums, and I wish we had more time to spend in each museum.
Is Eger Castle Free?
No, there is an entry fee for the Eger Castle. The ticket costs HUF 4,800 (USD 15) and it includes entry to the museums within the castle grounds. Discounted tickets are available for kids and elderly.
Beyond the Castle of Eger: What to Do in Eger
While Eger is mostly famous for the Castle of Eger, there are so many other things to do in the city. If you are short on time, Eger can be visited as part of a day trip from Budapest. If you have more time, then spending two days in Eger (one night) is the most ideal.
The town center of Eger is small and walkable, so you can easily explore the place on foot. Apart from the castle, I recommend visiting the Basilica of Eger, the Minaret, the Beatles Museum, and going for a relaxing bath in the Turkish Bath.
To make your trip to Eger the most comfortable, book a one-day trip to Eger. It includes pick up from your hotel in Budapest, private transport to Eger, and a guided tour of the most famous attractions in the city!
