Gyulai vár

About the museum

King Zsigmond granted the Gyula estate in 1403 to Maróti János, ban of Macsó; later the area passed to Hunyadi Mátyás and then to his son, Corvin János. Built of brick, the castle was among the three strongest border fortresses of the country in the second half of the 16th century, together with Eger and Szigetvár.

In 1566, during the siege of Szigetvár, an Ottoman army of around thirty thousand arrived at Gyula; the castle was held by two thousand defenders for 63 days. Castle captain Kerecsényi László surrendered the fortress because supplies were running out and a dysentery epidemic had broken out. Ottoman rule lasted more than one hundred and twenty years; afterwards the Harruckern family acquired the area, and the castle was used for economic purposes. Its military significance ended after the unsuccessful Kuruc siege of 1705; in 1849 the generals Damjanich János and Lahner György were held prisoner here.

Archaeological excavation and reconstruction of the castle began in the 1950s. A museum has operated here since 1962 and a theatre since 1964; since 2005 the renewed castle has welcomed visitors with 24 exhibition rooms. On the ground floor are the castle prison, the granary, the bakehouse, the smithy and pottery workshops, the wine-tavern gallery and the chapel. On the upper floor are the apartments of the castle lord, the lady of the castle and the castellan, the reception room of the sanjakbey, the armoury, the halberdiers' hall and the knights' hall. In 2012 the castle and the neighbouring memorial site of Hungarian army officers were included among Hungary's historical memorial sites.

Highlights

• 24 exhibition rooms: castle prison, armoury, knights' hall and the lord's apartments
• The sanjakbey's reception room and the Ottoman-era display
• Smithy and pottery workshops, bakehouse
• Castle tower and costumed guided tours
• The story of the 1566 siege under castle captain Kerecsényi László

Permanent exhibition

• Gyulai vár – állandó kiállítás – In the 24 exhibition rooms, the living quarters of the castle lord and from the Ottoman era, the armoury, the knights' hall, the workshops and the castle prison show life in the castle.

Founded

1962

Operated by

Erkel Ferenc Kulturális Központ és Múzeum Nonprofit Kft.

Admission & discounts

Residents with a permanent address in Gyula receive a 50% discount. The service fee (HUF 800: cloakroom, toilets, guaranteed guided tours, photography without flash) is included in the ticket prices and is compulsory for visitors who are otherwise free of charge. Payment with OTP, K&H and MBH SZÉP cards is also accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The interior rooms of the castle are spread over several levels.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Museum education sessions, family tickets and an escape room; the castle also offers costumed guided tours.

Getting there & parking

The castle is in the city centre of Gyula, opposite the Almásy Manor. From Budapest, take the M5 motorway and then the M44; from Szeged and Debrecen, Route 47 via Békéscsaba.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Gift shop; cloakroom and left-luggage included in the service fee. The castle does not admit dogs; there is a dog kennel at the neighbouring Almásy Manor (2 hours HUF 3,000).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle chapel can be rented for christenings and weddings, the knights' hall for receptions and conferences.

Plan your visit