Castle Fácános in Fonyód, Medieval fortification in Fonyód, Hungary
Castle Fácános is a square fortified structure in Fonyód with sides measuring roughly 60 meters across. A double moat system surrounded the walls and served as the main defensive barrier.
The fortress was built after 1544 in response to regional security threats and served as a key stronghold for several decades. It fell to Turkish forces in 1575 following the death of its commander Bálint Magyar.
The fortress reflects the building traditions of the region, with local materials and the lake's proximity shaping its design from the start. This integration into the landscape shows how the fortification worked with its surroundings rather than dominating them.
The moat structures remain accessible for visitors to examine the defensive layout up close. Walking around the site works best in dry weather since the surrounding terrain can become waterlogged.
Marshlands naturally surrounding the site created a defensive system that limited access to just two routes: across Lake Balaton or through the Bézsenyi peninsula. This blend of human construction and natural terrain made it strategically valuable.
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