Located 40 miles north of Budapest on the Danube River, Visegrad was of strategic importance in the Middle Ages both as a home for royalty and as protection against invaders. Ruins of a defensive castle atop a hillside on the west bank of the Danube overlook the reconstruction of the royal palace below with its beautiful red marble fountains. The uppermost level of the palace houses the renowned Fountain of the Red Lions, from which wine was said to flow.
Visegrad still retains its strategic importance today. The group known as the “Visegrad Four”--the prime ministers of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia--meets periodically to discuss cooperation on economic and security issues towards membership of their countries in the European Union.
For some history of the area (though this 1998 description of the excavations is no longer accurate), see Visegrad.
For more pictures, including some nice views of the hilltop castle not pictured below, see Visegrad Photos.
|
|
| Józseph Laszlovszky begins his informative lecture and tour of the excavations overlooking the Danube Bend | Iryna and Hadaze inspect the reconstruction of the ruins of the royal palace while Pavel looks on from the side |
Call for photographs! More photos desired here, especially those of the gorgeous red fountains, and most especially of the red lion fountain on the upper level of the palace.
| Welcome | Dramatis Personae | Budapest |
| Transdanubia | Cracow | Visegrad |
| Prague | Farewell Dinner | Credits |