Similar to the Citadel, the Solomon Tower has a breath-taking sight, too (to which the Danube gives a not-less effective background), which is the place of many wedding ceremonies even today, and at the training ground, one can see the regular medieval tournaments held by the Szent György Order’s military tradition-keeping class.
The Solomon Tower’s – one of the symbols of Visegrád – largest mystery is in its misleading name; however, it is commonly called this way. Namely, King Solomon could be a prisoner in the tower house of the Citadel in no-way, because Solomon was a captive of King Ladislaus in Visegrád in the 11th century; however, only during the period of the reign of Béla IV, in 1256 we can see the news of the dual castle-system for the first time in an official document.
Therefore, we are “right” only, if we call this important part of the Citadel which was built in the middle of the 13th century Lower Castle of Visegrád, or house tower.
The lower castle of Visegrád, which was continuously improved by every Hungarian king from Béla IV to King Matthias, basically had three tasks during the whole time: a fortress for military purposes, a dwelling for the land-steward, and a home for the king. Getting comfort behind the walls of this fortress they could precisely control the main road connecting the two highly-important cities, Buda and Esztergom, and also the shipping routes on the Danube.
Permanent exhibitions of the Solomon Tower:
- The Royal Palace of Visegrád’s honorary fountain of the 14th century
- The history of Visegrád from the prehistoric age to the 20th century
For current ticket prices and opening hours, please see the following link: