Castle of Pécs, Medieval castle ruin in Pécs, Hungary
The Castle of Pécs is the former defensive system of Pécs, whose stone walls still encircle the historic inner city, mainly on the north and west sides. Construction began in the second half of the 13th century, and in the 14th century a double wall protected the town. In the 15th century, on the advice of Pál Kinizsi, a round barbican with loopholes was built to guard the entrance, reachable only by a drawbridge.
The fortress withstood repeated assaults in conflicts until 1543, when Ottoman forces captured it and converted it into their administrative center for the region. This transformation shaped its use for the centuries that followed.
The fortress grounds hold the Cathedral of Pécs with its four towers and the Bishopric Palace, showing centuries of religious importance in the region.
Visitors can explore the preserved medieval gatehouse, walk through the castle courtyard, and examine the remains of the defensive walls with outer towers. The site is easily accessible near the city center of Pécs.
The round barbican with loopholes was built on the advice of Pál Kinizsi in the 15th century to guard the castle entrance, and it could be reached only over a drawbridge. The town fortification then enclosed 67.5 hectares, making Pécs the largest town by area in Hungary at the time.
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