Drégely Castle

Drégelypalánk, Hungary, Hungary

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Drégely Castle is a medieval hilltop fortress near Drégelypalánk in northern Hungary, originally built in the 13th century on a volcanic peak in the Börzsöny Mountains.

Because of its strategic location, it became an important part of Hungary’s border defense system during the Ottoman period. The castle is most famous for the heroic siege of 1552, when captain György Szondy and his small garrison of about 150 defenders resisted a much larger Ottoman army led by Ali Pasha.

Despite being heavily outnumbered, the defenders fought to the end, and their bravery became one of the most celebrated stories in Hungarian history. After the castle fell, it was largely destroyed and never regained its former importance. Over time it became a ruin, although restoration and conservation efforts have helped preserve what remains of the fortress.