The Castle of Eger
The construction of the stone castle in Eger was commissioned by the bishop of the city following the Mongol invasion of 1241-1242. For a long time it had an important role in the country’s defense, especially in that of Upper Hungary. Even at the time of Saint Stephen’s reign in the early 11th century, Eger functioned as an episcopal seat. The stronghold earned its renown due to a glorious Hungarian victory over the Ottoman forces led by Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha in 1552. The tale of the defenders’ heroism was later told by the poet, Sebastian Tinódi (Tinódi Lantos Sebestyén). In the 20th century, the famous writer, Géza Gárdonyi also wrote about the siege in his novel, Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. A baptismal chapel from the era of King Stephen I in the early 11th century, and the ruins of a 12th-century Romanesque cathedral also can be found within the boundaries of the castle.
