Ruins of Szádvár, Medieval fortification ruins in Aggtelek National Park, Hungary.
Szádvár is a medieval castle located atop a hilltop in Aggtelek National Park. Limestone foundations are scattered across the exposed summit and are surrounded by rocky slopes that open toward the Szögliget basin and Bódva valley.
The castle was first documented in 1268 and changed hands several times over the centuries. In 1686, the Habsburgs ordered its destruction to prevent rebel forces from using it as a stronghold.
The name Szádvár comes from Old Hungarian and refers to the bare rocky landscape surrounding the fortification. Visitors can experience this rough terrain directly when walking the mountain paths toward the ruins.
A roughly 4.5-kilometer loop trail connects the Salamander House in Szögliget to the castle ruins and takes about three hours to complete. The path crosses hilly terrain, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
The ruins sit atop a steep conical hill that offers views of the Zemplén Mountains to the east and the Bükk plateau to the south. This elevated position made it a key vantage point for controlling the region in earlier times.
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