The Knights of The Thury Castle
The Thury Castle Knights’ Heritage and Sports Association was founded in 2018 in Várpalota. One of our objectives is to introduce György Thury, perhaps the most famous fencer of the Age of Conquest, to as many people as possible, to create a kind of Thury cult. The Turks once feared his name, they called him the lion of the Danube region, and legends tell of 600 victorious duels. Although this number seems exaggerated, the fact is that he fought a lot and was never defeated in personal combat. Although Fehérvár and Veszprém fell in the area, the Turks pillaged the countryside, but while George Thury was captain of the castle, the Bakony winds waved the flag of Várpalota on the walls.
Our team includes experienced warriors who have been part of traditional events for many years, and we would like our new members to be part of these great and instructive performances. We also undertake small demonstrations in the castle and the surrounding area, where you can try out the typical weapons of the sixteenth century. The repertoire will include archery, battle stars, throwing kelevéz, cannonball throwing, as well as demonstrations of the firearms of the period, the canon rifle, the musket, the bearded rifle, the flintlock pistol and, in the castle, the falconet.
In addition to the traditionalist aspect, the team also places great emphasis on sport.
In February 2019, the club won the first Hungarian championship in historical archery, which has since been multiplied, and they even boast a world championship title.
Palota Mustra - historical castle game
Every year on the second weekend in June, a historical festival is held at the foot of the castle.
Visitors are invited on a magical journey back in time, where the past comes alive at the foot of the Palace Castle. The fortress was once called Újlaki Castle, because the Újlaki family started building it. The most famous member of the family was Miklós Újlaki, who first became an enemy of the Hunyadi family and later an ally. He was a typical figure of the era, a power-hungry lord who was unscrupulous in his pursuit of his goals, not afraid to carry out unauthorised fortification works or mint counterfeit money. During Mustra, you can see what one of the most controversial figures of the 15th century wore, visit his secret mint, meet his soldiers and watch the dances of the time.
Spin the wheel of time and you’re in the time of the legendary champion George Thury. The “Lion of Transdanubia” comes to life, witnessing his duel with the famous Persian champion, from whom he finally won his top-quality pallet. Of course, the most famous siege of the castle will also take place, when the Palatines successfully defended the walls against 16 times their superior numbers. You can also see the daily life of the 16th century soldiers, their meals, their playful jousting and the training of their aprodes.
The journey through time continues: we are now in the era of the Zichys, who were the dominant figures of Várpalota for almost 200 years. We meet Antonia Zichy, the widow of Lajos Batthyány, and learn about the work of Mihály Zichy, who was called the “prince of drawing” by his contemporaries. Paulina Zichy, the last mistress of the castle, comes to life, and you can learn about her sad fate and visit her room.
The time wheel turns backwards and forwards, but for the time being, let’s keep it a secret.
