Oroszlánkő vára, Medieval castle ruins in Vérteskozma, Hungary.
Oroszlánkő vára is a medieval fortress set high in the Vértes Mountains, with surviving stone walls and tower structures spread across the hilltop. The ruins reveal the layout of the original stronghold, showing how defensive features were positioned to control the surrounding landscape.
The fortress was built in the 14th century and functioned as a defensive stronghold until Turkish forces destroyed it in the 16th century. Its remains were never rebuilt, leaving behind the ruins seen today.
The name comes from the Hungarian word for lion, which represented the noble Csák family who ruled this territory. Local villagers still recall these connections through stories passed down about the fortress and those who once governed from here.
The ruins are reachable via marked hiking trails from surrounding villages in the Vértes Mountains region. The paths work best in dry weather, and visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and steep sections.
The site holds archaeological remains of Roman and Avar settlements, showing that people lived here across many centuries. These layers of different civilizations make this place a window into the long history of occupation in the region.
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