Visiting the romantic Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park
- Gems of Budapest
- Jan 28
- 6 min read
Updated: May 7
Vajdahunyad Castle, a captivating architectural masterpiece located in Budapest's City Park, stands as a testament to Hungary's rich history and diverse architectural influences.
The Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest in the City Park
Location
1146 Budapest, Városliget, Vajdahunyadvár
/ Museum and Library of Hungarian Agriculture, Vajdahunyadcastle
How to get there by public transport
Metro: M1, get off at Széchenyi fürdő stop, and take a 6-minute walk
Bus: no. 20, 30, 105: get off at Hősök tere stop, and take a 10-minute walk
Trolleybus:
no. 70, 72: get off at Olof Palme sétány stop, and take a 6-minute walk
no. 75, 79: get off at Hősök tere stop, and take a 10-minute walk
Tram: no. 1, get off at Kacsóh Pongrác út station, and take a 15-minute walk
Recommend for visitors interested in different architectural styles, romantic walks, history, nature, agriculture (museum).
Other tourist interests nearby: Heroes' Square, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Museum of Fine Arts, Art Hall, Budapest Zoo, Budapest Ice Rink (in winter,) Boating Lake (in summer)
Typical duration of visit:
Walking around the castle grounds: ~30 mins
Visiting the Museum: 1-1,5 hours
Please note that the Museum is closed on Mondays.
Tower tours (every hour):
Gate Tower: 45 steps, ~30 mins
Apostle's tower: 150 steps, ~30 mins, offering great views of the surrounding area
For planning your visit, check the link below:
Welcome to Vajdahunyad Castle - City Park
Originally constructed in 1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition, the castle was designed to showcase various architectural styles representing different periods of Hungarian history. Its most notable feature is its eclectic mix of architectural elements, ranging from Romanesque and Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque styles.
Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest in 1903, Source: Fortepan
The castle is a replica of the famous Hunyad Castle in Transylvania, and its name, Vajdahunyad, reflects this connection. Ignác Alpár designed the building of Vajdahunyad castle, which is actually the name of an old Hungarian Gothic Castle in Hunyadvar, which was part of Austria-Hungary before 1919, today can be found in Romania.
Design of Ignác Alpár Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest – Source: BudapestCityOrg
Originally, it was made from cardboard and wood as a temporary structure for the Millenial Exhibition (alongside with more than 200 other structures!), but it became so popular that it was rebuilt from stone and brick between 1904 and 1908. Today, it houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, the biggest agricultural museum in Europe.The structure beautifully blends into its surroundings, surrounded by a scenic lake that adds to its picturesque charm.
Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest is located on a small artificial island called Szechenyi Island and can be approached via a mock drawbridge over a shallow moat. The main entrance of the Castle is from the Heroes’ Square, and this gate is called the Bridge Gate (Hidaskapu) flanked by stone lions holding the coat of arms of Budapest.
The Main Gate of Vajdahunyad Castle © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
Stone lion holding the coat of arms of Budapest © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
The castle is surrounded by the water of the boating lake of the City Park (aka Varosliget). There are altogether four bridges leading to the Castle.
During summertime, you can rent boats by the Vajdahunyad Castle.
The City Park Boating Lake during summer time, source: internet
In winter time the boating lake turns into a fantastic outdoor ice rink. From November till March you can enjoy a good skating on the biggest open air ice rink in Europe in a lovely romantic setting. Check out the homepage of the City Park Ice Rink to see opening hours and prices: https://mujegpalya.hu/en/home-en/
The City Park Ice Rink during winter time, source: internet
The building of the City Park Ice Rink © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
Romanesque Middle Ages Architecture in Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
The oldest architectural style featured in the Vajdahunyad Castle is the Romanesque style (from the 11th – 13th century) in Hungary. The actual Chapel of Jak is located in a village in western Hungary, near the Austrian border, and is in fact a huge basilica, while in the Vajdahunyad Castle only the fascinating gate was copied, rather than the whole building.
The Chapel of Jak in Vajdahunyad Castle is not only an architectural replica, but a functioning Catholic chapel with religious ceremonies on Sundays from spring to autumn at 12 pm (noon), also available for organizing smaller weddings (of max 150 people), or choir concerts.
Romanesque style church at Vajdahunyad Castle © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
Gothic Architecture in Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
Then comes the Gothic age, the 14th -15th century, most strikingly represented by the Castle of Vajdahunyad, whose characteristic turrets and wooden beams strike the visitors as the leading theme. No wonder the whole structure of the castle has been named after the Gothic part by the locals.
Gothic style architecture at the Vajdahunyad Castle © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
Hunyadi Family, Hunyadi Castle
The land where the original castle was built was a gift from King Sigismund, Hungarian monarch to the grandfather of King Matthias, aka Matthias Hunyadi (whose Matthias Church you can see on the Buda Castle Hill) in 1409. King Matthias’ father, Janos Hunyadi erected the enormous and beautiful Gothic castle as a noble place for the knights, with tall, strong defense towers, drawbridge, Knights’ Hall, Capistrano Tower, Drummers’ Tower, etc.
The original Vajdahunyad Castle was probably the expanded version of the castle built by King Charles I of Hungary (known as the Corvin Castle) built on a previous fortification. He was a fine knight indeed, fighting the thousands of Turks attacking from the south to occupy Europe. It was his fights and knights that were encouraged by the papal decree to ring the Christian church bells at noon for defending Christendom.
Baroque style architecture at Vajdahunyad Castle © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
Renaissance and Baroque Architecture in Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
The 16th – 18th century Renaissance and Baroque buildings are blended exquisitely, merging the elements of rich palaces in royal Hungary and Austria Hungary. The Baroque building is the main home of the Museum of Agriculture.
The Baroque palace is the replica of Austrian palaces in the Austro-Hungarian empire.
Baroque style architecture at Vajdahunyad Castle © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
Visitors to Vajdahunyad Castle can explore its grounds freely, enjoying a stroll through the castle courtyard and admiring the architectural details. The castle often hosts cultural events and festivals, making it a dynamic destination throughout the year.
There are several sculptures around the castle, including the famous statue of Anonymus, created by Miklós Ligeti in 1903. Although we do not know his real identity (therefore the name Anonymus), we know that he was the notary and chronicler of a Hungarian king, probably Béla III. His most famous work, called Gesta Hungarorum ("The Deeds of the Hungarians"), was written in Medieval Latin around 1200. This work provides the most detailed history of the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin (although not supported by modern historians). Note the pen with the shiny tip in his right hand: writers (both real and aspirant) stroke it for inspiration.
Statue of Anonymus by Miklós Ligeti at Vadjahunyad Castle © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
You can also find a bust of Béla Lugosi, who was a Hungarian actor, known for portraying the main character in Dracula on Broadway in 1927 and in the 1931 film adaptation (both loosely based on Bram Stoker’s novel). In 2003, German artist Hartmut Zech made this bust and brought it along in hopes of finding a home for the sculpture. In City Park, he noticed an empty alcove on a corner of the Vajdahunyad Castle, and late that night, with help from his friends, installed the statue on a ledge about 10 feet up the facade (without any permission, by the way). And the connection? The original castle of Vajdahunyad is located in Transylvania ('the home of Dracula').
Statue of Béla Lugosi by Hartmut Zech at Vadjahunyad Castle © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2025
Inside, the Agricultural Museum showcases Hungary's agrarian history, offering an insightful journey into the nation's rural heritage. Hungary has traditionally been an agricultural country with a long-standing history in food production, animal husbandry, fishing and hunting.
Permanent Exhibitions:
Hunting exhibition
Forestry
The history of fishing
Hungarian Grapes and Wine
National Horse exhibition
The history of Hungarian agriculture
The Hunting exhibition showcasing a world-renowned trophy collection, Source: Agricultural Museum
The castle's allure is not limited to its architectural splendor; it often serves as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural events.
For tourists relying on public transport, reaching Vajdahunyad Castle is convenient. Budapest's efficient metro system, particularly Line 1, connects the city center to City Park, where the castle is located. Alternatively, trams and buses offer reliable transportation options.
In summary, Vajdahunyad Castle is a must-visit destination for tourists seeking a blend of history, architecture, and cultural experiences. Its unique design, surrounded by lush greenery and a reflective lake, creates a serene atmosphere that transports visitors to different eras of Hungary's past. Whether exploring the castle's exterior or delving into its museum, a visit to Vajdahunyad Castle promises a memorable and enriching experience for all.
