Past ages, secret ruins: 5 historical sites in Hungary

Bujáki Castle, built in the 13th century, is one of the most well-preserved medieval fortresses in Nógrád County. The castle was built after the Tatar invasion and it was destroyed during the Turkish occupation. The abandoned walls and the surrounding nature offer a picturesque sight, and the panorama is particularly impressive – it is worth climbing the 300-metre-high tower. The castle ruins are easy to walk around and an excellent destination for a quiet excursion.

From the centre of Buják, head north-west along the stream and the green Z-mark! The tourist sign leading along the designated dirt road and forest paths passes the Pappenheim Cave, one of Hungary's few dozen sandstone caves. The route is moderately difficult, interspersed with uphill sections in some places, but in return we can reach the top very quickly, where the wonderful panorama compensates.

The 13th-century desert tower, which once functioned as a church, is located on the outskirts of Hetye. The abandoned building, also referred to as the Turks' Forsaken, gradually collapsed over the centuries, and today only the ruins of the three-storey tower are visible. The mystical ruin in the middle of the desert is a postcard-worthy, great stop during a hearty walking or cycling tour. To visit the Hetye Desert Tower, start from the centre of Ádánd and head south! On your way, admire the Csapody Castle, which has seen better days! Continue south, then turn east after 3 kilometres! The desert tower can be seen from afar, where it rises on the hilltop.

Hello Hungary tip: To visit the Turks' Forsaken, you can even set up a 42-kilometre, easy cycling adventure. Let's start from the Fő Square in Siófok and head south towards Siójut. Cycle along the Sió all the way to Ádánd, then we reach Balatonkiliti on the Ságvár-Kiliti cycle path. One of the most beautiful sections of the tour is the road through the nature reserve of the Töreki fish ponds. The Cinege spring, a forest rest area, a birdwatching tower and a nature trail also await us here.

The church ruin of Zsámbék is one of the most beautiful medieval monuments in Hungary, built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style, enriched with Gothic elements. The building was built by the Premontre order after the Tatar invasion. It has been in ruins since the earthquake of 1763 – nevertheless, the monumental towers and arches are an impressive sight, especially at sunset, when the ruins turn golden in the light of the setting sun. Due to the well-kept environment around the ruin and the panorama, the location is a popular hiking spot and a popular destination for photographers. The Mária road, the Central European route dedicated to the Virgin Mary and named after her, goes here, but there are also many hiking trails and attractions in the area. It is worth visiting, for example, one of the most significant caves in the Zsámbéki basin; the Zelezna-baby-cave, i.e. Babó-hole. The cave is surrounded by many legends, including the fact that it is possible to reach Etyek, 15 kilometres away, through underground passages!

Perhaps one of the abandoned buildings with the most wonderful sight in our country is the desert church in Somogyvámos surrounded by picturesque downhills and flavescent grain fields. Based on archaeological excavations, the building standing alone in a quiet, peaceful location already existed in the Middle Ages of the 12th century. The building was probably built on the estate of the Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma, but it was depopulated during the Turkish conquest, and since then nature has slowly reclaimed it. The remains of the Romanesque-style building – the arches, the wall fragments and the surrounding field – exude an exceptionally romantic atmosphere. The church ruin is easily accessible, it is a great place for a pleasant walk or a photo shoot, while the image of the historical ruin stuck in the fields enchants you.

To visit the Somogyvámos desert church, you can also take an easy 16-kilometre round trip. Go south from Somogyvámos on the yellow lane in the direction of the church ruins! Go along the Vámosi stream and get back to your starting point through Pamuk and Somogyvár!

Not far from our previous ruin, in Somogyvár, are the ruins of the Szent Egyed Benedictine Abbey, built in the 11th century. The former important religious centre was first consumed by fire over the centuries, then it completely destroyed during the Turkish occupation. At the beginning of the 19th century, Count Lajos Széchenyi cleared the ruins and excavated the walls, but the archaeological excavation of the abbey was only started in 1972. The ruins have been open to visitors since 1991: the impressive remains of walls, arches and foundations evoke the richness of medieval architecture. The abandoned ruins serve as a quiet yet magical reminder of history.

Source: szentlaszloemlekhely.hu