Castle of Diósgyőr

The current, Gothic castle was built after the invasion and reached the peak of its importance during the reign of King Louis the Great (1342–1382).

In the earliest times the castle was an oval structure with a rounded donjon, surrounded by a polygonal outer wall.

In the treaty the Italian town of Venice was compelled to raise the flag of the Anjou dynasty on the St. Mark square every Sunday.

In the north-eastern tower of the castle there is a waxworks exhibition showing the wax figures of King Louis and the Venetian envoy.

Diósgyőr lost some of its importance when the personal union between Hungary and Poland ended (Louis shared the two countries between his two daughters Mary and Jadwiga).

Its owners, the Gyarmati Balassa family turned it into a large fortress, and they had an Italian-style rondelle built to the north-western tower.

The Diósgyőr Castle fell too; it was built to be a holiday residence and was never intended to be a large fortress that withstands the siege of a foreign army.

The north-western tower functions as a looking-tower, with a view on Diósgyőr and the surrounding hills; on the ground floor there is a small mint where tourists can make commemorative coins with their own hands.

An important musical event, the Kaláka Folk Festival is held on the second weekend of July each year.