Taródi Castle, Architectural folly in Sopron, Hungary
Taródi Castle is an architectural folly made of limestone structures built on Nándor Hill in Sopron. The building features multiple connected towers and stone chambers forming a fortress-like complex.
Construction began in 1959 when István Taródi decided to replace his wooden fortress with a stone structure. This marked the start of a long-term personal building project.
Locals call it the Castle of the Fool, a name that comes from their puzzlement over why one person would undertake such an extensive private construction. The nickname reflects how the community viewed this ambitious personal project.
The location is easily accessible on foot with parking available near the entrance for visitors. Guided tours take you through multiple levels and connected spaces, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
István Taródi built this entire fortress alone over 50 years while working his regular job. He carried stones and materials before dawn and after dusk, making this a remarkable personal achievement.
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