Kinizsi-vár

About the museum

The castle of Nagyvázsony was built by the Vezsenyi family at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries; its core is the 25-metre-high residential tower, which is still the symbol of the castle. After the family died out in the male line in 1472, King Mátyás granted the estate to Kinizsi Pál in recognition of his valour in the campaigns. In Kinizsi’s time the outer wall reinforced with four smaller towers was built, along with the palace wing with the castle chapel and the barbican in front of the gate tower; a deep ditch also surrounded the castle. The commander’s widow, Magyar Benigna, lived in the castle for several more years.

In the Ottoman period the castle was a minor stronghold of the border-fortress system; in the 17th century it was acquired by the Zichy family. After the Rákóczi War of Independence its military role ended, and the estate used it as a prison and a pálinka distillery. In 1762 the Zichys built a new mansion on the other side of the stream, and the castle slowly fell into ruin; a fire in 1857 also damaged it. Archaeological excavation and conservation took place between 1954 and 1960, and in 2013 the residential tower was restored.

The castle is now run by the Nagyvázsony cultural and service non-profit company, owned by the town. On the lower floor, the exhibition presents the castle’s changes with models; the stone collection contains the gravestones of Kinizsi Pál and Horváth Márk; on the upper floor there is Kinizsi’s campaigns, the chapel and the knights’ hall; and in the tower there are Renaissance rooms.

Highlights

• Gravestones of Kinizsi Pál and Horváth Márk in the stone collection
• Models showing the castle’s development
• Knights’ hall with film screening and castle chapel
• Renaissance rooms of the tower: castellan’s room, Benigna’s apartment, larder
• View from the top of the tower over Nagyvázsony and the ruins of the Pauline monastery

Permanent exhibition

• A Kinizsi vár kincsei – állandó kiállítás – Models of the castle’s development, a stone collection with the gravestones of Kinizsi Pál and Horváth Márk, the upper-floor space on Kinizsi’s campaigns, the chapel, the knights’ hall and the Renaissance rooms of the tower.

Operated by

Nagyvázsonyi Kinizsi Kulturális és Szolgáltató Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft.

Admission & discounts

Holders of a Nagyvázsony address card enter free of charge.

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 upper floors and the tower are reached by stairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Stamp game, period costumes to try on and interactive elements for children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café on the castle grounds; food and drink may only be consumed at the outdoor rest areas and in the café.

Events & venue rental

The water-filled moat and the knights’ hall host events.

Plan your visit