Even at my weekly language class our Hungarian teacher always makes a traditional Hungarian snack to feed us. In medieval times, feasts were joyous events that brought people from near and far together. And even today at this modern reenactment I felt that joy and connection.
While on the surface there seems to be no connection, I realized that the land surrounding the castle has shaped it and its effectiveness. In Hungary, its capital city is split into two sides by the Danube river. The Buda and Pest sides. I live in the Pest side which is flatter than the more hilly Buda side. Visegrad castle, while far outside the city, is on the Buda side and is nestled on top of a hill overlooking the Danube river. Historically this would’ve given them an advantage to any invaders. They would be able to see people coming from any direction. Its nearness to the river would allow for a water source and a source for trading. Working with the land was very important during medieval times when people did not have the resources to make big changes to the land.
Constructed in between 1250 and 1260 by King Béla IV and Queen Maria Laskarina, it was designed to be a fortress. After them, it was the home of Charles I of Hungary and the home of the royal court in 1323. The other significant national role the castle played was being the where the Holy Crown of Hungary was store many times. However in 1440 the crown was stolen by a lady-in-waiting, who took it so that her queen’s son could one day be king. Eventually the castle was abandoned in the 1600s after the Hapsburgs invaded. But that changed when in the 19th century restorations began.
