Histrory of the Castle of Diosgyor

The ancient erarthwork, which is regarded as the ancestor of the castle may have been built under the northern slopes of the Bukk Mountains, since the remains were discovered under the west-wing of the castle. The earthwork may have been destroyed during the tartar attacks. A new castle made of stones was built between 1262-70, which was donated by the king to Ernye ban. The wedding of his son Istvan Palatin was held in the castle in 1304. Charles Martel of Anjou occupied the castle, when the Akos clan turned agains him. The king donated it to the Dozsa of Debrecen and in 1325 to Miklos Szechy, who was a croatian man of rank. The castle was mentioned in 1340 as the benefice of the queen. The construction of the castle in gothic style was finished in 1379. The golden age of the castle was in the 14-15 century, when it was regarded as the residence of King Lewis. The peace treaty of Venice was ratified here in 1381. The castle of Diosgyor is the only castle in Hungary, that belonged to the queen and was regarded as the engagement gift of the Hungarian queens. Sevaral kings of Hungary donated this castle to their wifes. The outside wall of the castle was built in the time of Matyas and the environment was completed by a gamepark, fruit-farms and mills. The castle was renovated in about 1540 and transformed into an up-to-date fortress. A three-storey dungeon was built, which was suitable to hide cannons. The castle became ruined in the second half of the 18th century. The renovation works were finished in 1960-70.


Exhibitions in the Castle of Diosgyor

North-eastern tower
A scene (performed with waxworks) of the ratification of the Peace treaty with Venice can be visited in the favorite room of king Lewis I. On the next floor we can visit an aristocratic suite.

Rondella
The italian bastion was built about 1530. The exhibition of armoursmith Istvan Hencz with the title „Weapons ans armours in medieval Europe” provides an exciting entertainment possibility.

Northwestern tower
The exhibition is about everyday life in the Middle Ages.

Dungeon
Historical waxworks show scenes from the 14-15 century.

Address: Csanyik Valley, 3535 Miskolc

The zoo opened its gates in 1983, where nowadays more than 150 species can be seen. The animal kingdom of the Carpathian Basin can be seen but several species from other continents as well (ostriches, tigers, lemurs etc.). Ancient Hungarian animals, such as the grey cattle, racka sheep, also live in the zoo. The zoo and culture park is open all year round.

Programs

• zoo-pedagogical classes,
• guided walks (registration in advance),
• zoo visit at night (registration in advance),
• birthday (event for children and adults, who have birthday),
• animal shows,
• lectures,
• day-care.

Opening hours of the cassa:
In Summer (March 15 – October 04): from Monday till Friday 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m., at weekends and on holidays 9:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m.
In Winter (October 05 – March 14): from Monday till Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 19:00 p.m.