Although the Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park seemed to be historic castle in Budapest from the Middle Ages telling gruesome stories, in fact the Castle Vajdahunyad in Budapest was built only a bit more than 100 years ago, in 1896, for the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian state, the Millennium Exhibition, together with other Budapest landmarks such as the Millennium Monument in Heroes' Square and the Fisherman's Bastion on Buda Castle Hill. Find out more about its history!
The main location of the 1896 Budapest Millennium Exhibition was the City Park. And if you were expecting to visit a haunted historic castle in Budapest, where you would be confronted with the dark side of history - vampires, phantoms and ghosts - you will be disappointed to learn that the castle is a friendly agricultural museum and was never an actual royal or noble residence. But don't let that put you off visiting!
You won't meet any vampires, but there are plenty of exciting activities and locations waiting for you in Vajdahunyad Castle!
Note: This article contains affiliate links. In case you purchase something through one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost for you. Thank you for helping us keep creating the free content on this website!
The fascinating history of Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
The whole country was feverishly preparing to celebrate the 1000th birthday, but despite all the hurried work, the Expo had to be held a year later.
The original building of the Vajdahunyad historic castle in Budapest was only a temporary structure made of wooden planks and cardboard constructions. Even its simple name was descriptive, indicating that it was nothing more than a complex of various historical buildings. Ignác Alpár designed the Vajdahunyad Castle building, which is actually the name of an old Hungarian Gothic castle in Hunyadvar.
However, the Hungarians loved the building so much that they finally (between 1904 and 1908) rebuilt it with permanent materials. It is decorated with stained glass windows, ornately painted vaulted ceilings and marble staircases.
The name "Vajdahunyad Castle" was not intended to refer to the whole building, but the local inhabitants used it so often - based on the most prominent part of the complex - that the name "Vajdahunyad Castle" was eventually retained.
The purpose of building Vajdahunyad Castle was to showcase the beautiful and long history of Hungary through its architectural treasures, selecting the most outstanding buildings and details from all over Hungary (at that time part of the vast Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, which is significant in that some of the buildings on display in the castle are located outside Hungary's borders).
A mix of styles in this historic castle in Budapest
The concept of Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest was to combine different architectural styles into a single complex historic castle in Budapest. Ignác Alpar's plan includes architectural details of 21 buildings, some with only minor additions, others as the main feature.
The church of the village of Ják is located in western Hungary, near the Austrian border, and is actually a huge basilica that is not visible in the Vajdahunyad castle, where only the impressive gateway has been copied, not the whole building.
The church in Ják was actually a monumental basilica of the Benedictine monastery, estimated to have been completed around 1256. The church was considered to be the best representative of Romanesque architecture in Hungary (somehow it managed to survive the many battles against the Turks, fires and other damage). The church in Ják was significantly restored in the late 19th century by Frigyes Schulek, the designer of the Fisherman's Bastion (who was inspired by the Romanesque style).
An exact replica of the portal of the church in Ják shows a typical church doorway of the 11th-12th centuries, which already blends into the Gothic style, where the portal was the main place to add carved figures and images of the Bible.
You can see the ornately carved portal, with interlocking, narrowing "gates". This is the main door of the church, decorated with geometric Norman motifs. Above the portal is Jesus Christ enthroned at the side of two angels. Next to the portal is the Madonna and Samson's struggle with the lion. The Jáki Chapel has been extended with a medieval style "cloister" cloister, which is beautiful and very romantic, well worth a visit!
The Ják Chapel in Vajdahunyad Castle is not just an architectural replica, but a working Catholic chapel where services are held every Sunday from spring to autumn at noon, small weddings (up to 150 people) and choir concerts are available. The Jak Chapel can be contacted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10.00-13.00 and 16.00-18.00. Call 00-36-1-251-13-59. Weddings held at the Ják Chapel in Budapest must be booked 6 months in advance.
Highlights of the Vajdahunyad Castle Interior
The castle's interior is a treasure trove of architectural and artistic gems. The Gothic wing features a beautiful chapel with stained glass windows and intricate wood carvings. The Renaissance wing houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, which showcases the country's rich agricultural heritage. The Baroque wing features the Museum of Hungarian Music History, which is home to several musical instruments and artifacts from Hungary's musical past.
One of the most impressive rooms in the castle is the Knight's Hall, which features a stunning ceiling painting of the Hungarian coat of arms. The hall is also home to several suits of armor and weapons from Hungary's medieval past. The castle's main staircase is another highlight, with its ornate carvings and beautiful frescoes.
Count Dracula in Vajdahunyad Castle
Then comes the Gothic period, from the 14th to the 15th centuries, most prominently represented by the Vajdahunyad Castle, whose characteristic towers and wooden beams are the main protagonists of the visitor's experience. It is no wonder that the whole castle is named after the Gothic part of the castle.
Considered by many to be the home of Count Dracula, the original Vajdahunyad Castle was once part of the Hungarian state (the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy) known as the King of Castles. The Castle Vajdahunyad was thus chosen in 1896 as the best example of Hungarian Gothic.
If you're looking on the map now, you'll have to search for Hunyad Castle to find it in Transylvania, Romania, where the magnificent historic castle stands on a cliff overlooking the Zlasti River.
But was the creator of Count Dracula, Lord of the Vampires, really inspired by the castle of Vajdahunyad? Did Bram Stoker visit the castle? Who was Count Dracula, and did he live in the castle or was he imprisoned there? Can you meet Dracula at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest?
Count Dracula has inspired thousands of films. The manuscript is now owned by the co-founder of Microsoft.
The character of Dracula was most likely inspired by Vlad a Karlós, the 15th century Transylvanian prince, also known as Vlad III Dracula, the Welsh prince imprisoned for years by János Hunyadi in the castle of Vajdahunyad. As well as keeping him behind bars, he is said to have killed his father, Vlad II Dracul.
Vlad III earned his infamous moniker due to his brutal methods of punishment, which often involved impaling his enemies. Despite the lack of historical evidence linking Vlad III directly to the castle, the eerie ambiance and its Gothic architecture contributed to the association with the vampire lord created by Bram Stoker.
Bram Stoker imagined his Dracula living in the castle of Vajdahunyad, or perhaps a similar castle somewhere in the dark and barren hills of Transylvania. We now know that before he started writing his Dracula, Bram Stoker met the Hungarian writer and traveller Ármin Vámbéry, who shared with Stoker dark tales of the Carpathian mountains. Stoker, a trained journalist, turned Dracula, the vampire, into a 3D character, adding believable diary entries, letters, even telegrams and newspaper clippings. Nosferatu, the first silent film about Dracula, was released in 1922, followed in 1931 by the talkie Dracula, starring Hungarian actor Béla Lugosi (who was buried in 1956 in his Dracula cloak).
See if you can find his bust in Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest!
Vajdahunyad Castle's picturesque charm and alleged connection to Vlad III captured the imagination of visitors and locals alike. Its unique design and mysterious aura aligned perfectly with the mystique surrounding the character of Dracula. Consequently, the castle's popularity surged, and it soon became a must-visit destination for those intrigued by the legend of Dracula.
Where you can find Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
Vajdahunyad Castle is located on Széchenyi Island in the City Park Budapest, a replica of Vajdahunyad Castle in Transylvania.
The historic castle in Budapest was built for the millennium celebrations in 1896 with the aim of presenting a thousand years of Hungarian architectural history in three dimensions. The main entrance is approached via the Lion Bridge. On one side of the medieval castle gate is a Romanesque castle, on the other a Gothic one. The inner courtyard is also Gothic.
From the main entrance, you can see elements of the Baroque period, and from the Artificial Ice Rink, elements of the Renaissance period. Several statues of Hungarian celebrities can be found in and around the Castle. Here you can see a statue of Anonymus (the most detailed writer of the history of Hungarian conquest), nearly 2 metres high.
Site location: Vajdahunyad promenade
GPS coordinates: 47.515163, 19.083158
Google Photos: Click here
The Romanesque-style Jáki Chapel is used for Catholic mass on Sundays, but it also hosts many weddings and concerts.
Exhibitions and museum in this historic castle in Budapest
Vajdahunyad Castle is home to the Hungarian Agricultural Museum, where you can participate in various events. In the spring, the Orchidea exhibition features a number of special flowers. There is also a wine tour exhibition and a summer children's camp.
Visitors can choose from a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions include hunting, fishing, forestry, Hungarian vines and wines, and the national horse exhibition.
Temporary exhibitions include a unique collection of clocks, rarely seen objects from the Museum of Agriculture, and a beautiful photography exhibition.
The museum is open every day except Monday from 10.00 am to 19.00 pm. Guided tours of the Apostles' Tower are available every hour.
The Gatehouse is open every day from 9.00-19.00. The museum is open free of charge on national and state holidays. The museum entrance fee is 2500 Ft./person for adults, 1200 Ft./person for children and pensioners. The ticket includes admission to the permanent and temporary exhibitions. For tower visits, admission to the gate tower is 300 Ft./person. Entrance to the Tower Tour and the Apostles' Tower 600 Ft./person. It is also possible to buy a combined ticket for all the programmes. Adult ticket 3000 Ft./person, children and seniors ticket 1700 Ft./person. Group guided tours of the exhibitions are also available in English.
Ice Rink next to historic castle in Budapest
The neo-Baroque-style City Park Ice Rink is located next to Vajdahunyad Castle. It is the largest ice rink in Europe. Its main building is located parallel to the Olaf Palme promenade on the shore of the City Park lake.
Until the Second World War, the rink was the venue for numerous skating competitions, costume and dance events. Nowadays it hosts skating lessons and various events.
A favourite dating spot for young people. You can skate hand in hand on the huge ice rink to atmospheric music. When you're tired you can have a hot tea or a delicious Hungarian bean goulash at the buffet.
Visitors can also rent skates for 2000 Ft. The entrance fee for adults is 1550 Ft/person on weekdays, 2000 Ft/person on weekends, for children and pensioners 1000 Ft/person on weekdays, 1500 ft/person on weekends.
The rink is open until the end of February. The artificial ice rink will be converted into a boating lake at the end of May. Water bikes and boats can be rented for half an hour for 2500-3500 Ft. The boating lake is open every day from 10.00-21.00.
Site location: Olof Palme promenade 1.
GPS coordinates: 47.514514, 19.079859
Google Photos: Click here
For more fun and program opportunities visit our website regularly where you will find constantly updated content!
