Why Were the Medieval Stone Castles of the Carpathian Basin Hungarian?

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What exactly does it mean that the castles are 'Hungarian'?

In the Middle Ages, the landscapes of the Carpathian Basin were densely dotted with castles, mostly built of stone to withstand both the passage of time and enemy attacks. These castles served not only as defensive structures but also as centres of power, economy, and administration. Most were built on the initiative of Hungarian kings or nobles, and operated under the legal framework of the Kingdom of Hungary. But what does it really mean to say that these castles were “Hungarian”?

Boldogkő vára

Royal Licence and Ownership Rights

In the Middle Ages, one could only build a stone castle with royal permission. This meant that castle construction was not a privilege granted to just anyone—only the king or high-ranking nobles authorised by him could undertake such work. Even if foreign-born craftsmen or soldiers were involved in the life of a castle, its owner was Hungarian, and it was operated according to Hungarian law.

Building Is Not Enough – Maintenance Is Crucial

Constructing a castle often took between 5 and 20 years, but the real challenge was maintaining it over time. Extracting and transporting the massive quantities of stone required could only be done with ox carts or rafts, demanding a great deal of time and manpower. Workers, masons, carpenters, and blacksmiths had to be provided with food, lodging, and tools.

Regeci vár

The Castle as a Self-Sustaining System

Castles were typically supported by several villages, estates, and workshops. These supplied food, firewood, weapons, horses, and other provisions. Often, castles had their own kitchens, bakeries, stables, and storerooms. A permanent garrison was important not only for defence but also for maintaining order.

Hungarian Linguistic and Cultural Presence

Although official documents were written in Latin, the names of castles, their inhabitants, and surrounding estates were of Hungarian origin. Many castles also had chapels dedicated to Hungarian saints, and noble families displayed their Hungarian identity through their coats of arms and seals.

The Number of Castles in the Carpathian Basin

Historians estimate that between the 10th and 20th centuries, more than 600 stone castles and significant fortifications were built in the Carpathian Basin. These included royal castles, noble residences, border fortresses, and smaller strongholds. On the territory of present-day Hungary, around 130–150 of these castles still remain in some form—whether as ruins, fragments, or entire structures—many of which are protected heritage sites.

A few examples of Hungarian castles, without aiming for completeness:

Szepes (Spiš), Munkács (Mukachevo), Bajmóc (Bojnice), Hunyad (Hunedoara), Diósgyőr, Visegrád, Eger, Füzér, Csesznek, Trencsén (Trenčín), Hollókő, etc.

Siklósi vár

In Summary:

Medieval stone castles in the Carpathian Basin belonged to the system of the Kingdom of Hungary on every level—legally, administratively, economically, and culturally. It wasn’t just that their builders or servants were Hungarian; their entire operation was shaped and sustained by the framework of the Hungarian state. That is why we can rightfully say:

... these were Hungarian castles!

Written by: Tibor Huszárszki