On the northern slope of the mountain range Matra, twelve kilometers from the town Matrahaz among ancient pines tucked away from prying eyes is one of the most beautiful castles in Hungary - Shashvar. The castle complex of several buildings encircling a beautiful park. Idyllic picture of the Tarn River valley complement picturesque neighboring villages, such as next to the castle Paradshashvar and mountain scenery.

Shashvar Castle is an example of Neo-Renaissance architecture of the second half of XIX century with elements of earlier classicism. Its name translates as "Eagle Fortress", although initially it was not fortified the family nest, but rather a luxurious country residence. The same function performs locking and today: 1998 Shashvare placed in five-star hotel.

This region anciently associated with ancient clans Hungarian nobility - Rakoczy, Karoly, Orczy, Grashkovich. Hungary was once a country of castles, as for the land populated it with the Magyars had to constantly fight with the neighbors - Slavs, Turks, Austrians, Germans. Ancestor of all Hungarian fortresses considered Sümeg Castle, built long before the Mongol invasion, and the remaining unconquered nor in the XIII century Mongols nor the Turks in the XVI century.

Each castle has dominated its region and served as a shelter for the population of the surrounding villages in the case of enemy invasion. The present construction boom began after the liberation from the Mongol yoke, when the Hungarian king Bela IV ordered all his possessions to build a powerful secure locks. Of the medieval strongholds to our times survived only a few, the reason for that turbulent history of the country itself.

In 1703-1711 years. Hungary swept by the national liberation war led by Ferenc Rákóczi II. Despite the support of France, Russia, and the population of neighboring Transylvania, Wallachia and other regions of the Carpathians, to overthrow the power of the Habsburgs Hungarians failed. The consequences of failure were very harsh: Ferenc Rakoczy he was forced to emigrate, and died far from home, in Turkey. Only in 1906 the remains of the commander was moved to Kosice, the chief city of his native land. By order of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Charles VI, most Hungarian strongholds involved in the war on the side of Rakoczy, were demolished.

The second blow to the country's castles became a national uprising of 1848-1849., Also ended in defeat. The result was still a medieval fortress either destroyed or rebuilt in unfortified palaces. Much of the castle was abandoned and suffered the ravages of time. By this time in Hungary remained about four thousand of these structures, and this number can imagine how great was the number of local locks before they began a large-scale destruction.

In 1827, representatives of the noble family of Kara began building the castle Shashvar, which was supposed to represent a complex of three buildings in the classical style, linked by a covered gallery. In 1882 architect Miklos Ybl rebuilt and expanded in the spirit of neo-Renaissance castle, and as such Shashvar survives today.

Revival of ancient palaces in Hungary began in 1956, but it is moving slowly because now only about seventy Hungarian castles in varying degrees, restored and open to the public, or used as a hotel. Typically, guests are invited here quite a wealth of facilities at many of these hotels have their own zoos, available hunting, fishing, horseback riding or excursions to surrounding attractions.

Castle Shashvar was completely renovated in 1998, and since then it is placed luxurious five-star hotel of 57 rooms, including five suites and two rooms category "Super Deluxe" ("Premium" and "Royal Residence"). Hence, guided tours in Eger, stalactite cave Agtelek on a blowing plant family Orczy (founded in 1767), in the museum of carriages and Ethnographic Museum Holloke to curative thermal springs Egerszalok, Buzashskomu lake Ilonskomu waterfall in the National Park of the river, the castle Wide and the house-museum "Palots."