Jurisics Castle

Kőszeg, Hungary, Hungary

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Jurisics Castle is the most important historic landmark in the western Hungarian town of Kőszeg.

Originally built in the Middle Ages and expanded over the centuries, the castle combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural elements and is surrounded by remnants of defensive walls and moats. The castle is best known for the Siege of Kőszeg in 1532, when Captain Miklós Jurisics and fewer than 1,000 defenders successfully resisted the vastly larger Ottoman army of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent for 25 days.

This heroic defense became one of the most celebrated events in Hungarian history. Named in honor of Jurisics, the fortress became a symbol of courage and resilience. A daily 11 o’clock bell ringing in Kőszeg commemorates the end of the famous siege and the defenders’ achievement. Today, Jurisics Castle serves as a museum and cultural center, featuring historical exhibitions, armor collections, and preserved castle interiors.