The Sümeg fortress was previously a wooden fort, which was later transformed. Large-scale work to strengthen it was carried out from the 13th to the 15th centuries, and in 1713 the walls of the building were blown up after the defeat of the national liberation movement.
For a long time, the architectural monument stood dilapidated, but in the 60s of the XX century, restoration work began. Now there is a museum on the territory, theatrical performances and tournaments are held.
Sümeg fortress today is an object of historical and cultural heritage. Anyone who has purchased a ticket can wander along its walls and courtyards. The walls offer views of the city of Sümeg and the mountains.
Inside the fortress, there are exhibition halls that recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Torture room, wine cellar, forges, chapel, armoury, artillery hall and other places.
The museum fortress consists of two floors and numerous rooms, allowing you to get acquainted with the peculiarities of life of that time. They present both items found during archaeological excavations, as well as costumes, armour, and large-scale expositions with mannequins.
A bit about the history of the fortress
The fortification was erected in the 13th century. Construction was carried out at the top of the hill. In the second half of the 13th century, a fortified citadel was erected. A century later, it was fortified with stone walls.
In the 15th century, the Sümeg fortress was also completed and expanded. Which was very useful in the 16th century, when the Ottoman Empire invaded the Hungarian lands. The main city of the area - Veszprem - was captured by the Turks without any problems, but the Sümeg fortress was not given to them. The local episcopate took refuge behind the mighty fortress walls.
At the end of the XVII century, the Turks left Hungary, but the Austrian Habsburgs took the place of the owners. The Hungarians revolted, which went down in history as the Rákóczi uprising. The Sümeg fortress became one of the important bases for the rebels. The Austrians suppressed the uprising, and they decided to demolish most of the fortresses on the territory of Hungary in order to avoid new rebellions in the future. A sad fate befell the fortress of Sümeg.
The fortress remained abandoned for two and a half centuries. At the end of the 50s of the 20th century, attention was paid to the Sümeg fortress. Archaeological research was carried out on its territory, part of the buildings were mothballed. Sümeg fortress was reconstructed several times. It has now been turned into a popular tourist attraction.
Exact GPS coordinates of the castle - 46.982079, 17.282923