Eger Castle
Ideal: Ideal for history, castle visits, wine routes, and exploration beyond Budapest.
In 1552 roughly two thousand defenders under István Dobó kept a far larger Ottoman army outside the castle walls for 39 days until the siege was lifted; that resistance became the subject of a novel every Hungarian schoolchild reads. The castle still fell in 1596 and the city remained under Ottoman rule for ninety years — the minaret in the center is today Europe's northernmost surviving Ottoman minaret. In the Szépasszony Valley just outside town, Egri Bikavér is tasted in cellars carved into the rock.
Did you know?
Why is the 1552 siege so famous?
Around 2,000 defenders held the fortress against a far larger Ottoman army. The episode became the subject of one of Hungary's best-known novels and a national symbol of resistance.
Where does the name "Bull's Blood" wine come from?
Legend says red wine given to the defenders during the siege stained their beards, leading Ottoman soldiers to believe they were drinking bull's blood. Egri Bikavér is now Hungary's best-known red.
Why is there a minaret in the town?
The 40 m minaret dates from Ottoman rule and is the northernmost surviving Ottoman minaret in Europe. Its mosque is gone, but the minaret was preserved and can be climbed.
Why go?
- To see an important chapter in Hungary's castle and defense history
- For views over Eger from above
- To combine wine cellars with historic city atmosphere
Travel tip
Plan Eger not only for the castle but together with the city center and wine cellars.
