THE BORDER FORTRESS DAYS OF GYULA
2024. July 26-28.
Year after year, during the last weekend of July, some 200 traditionalists re-enact the 1566 siege of the Gyula Fortress.
One of the most spectacular war games of Hungary revive real events with live commentary and explanations about the unfolding story.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Between July 2nd and September 2nd 1566, some 30 thousand Ottoman soldiers surrounded and assaulted the castle of Gyula which was protected by 2-2.5 thousand Christian soldiers. In the military history of Hungary, this was an exceptionally long siege. The battle ended with the signing of the surrendering treaty by László Kerecsényi, constable of the Gyula fortress and Pasha Pertev, the brother-in-law of Sultan Suleiman II. Due to the depletion of stock in the castle and the dysentery epidemic, the Hungarian captain handed the castle over to the Ottomans in return for free passage.
In its time, what Kerecsényi did was considered to be high treason, but historical sciences today look at this event differently. The memory of these 16th century heroes is kept alive daily, through the professionals who work at the castle, and yearly, over a three day period, by traditionalists and the ever growing number of those who attend these unforgettable events.
The Border Fortress Days of Gyula
During this festival, the Turkish era Gyula comes alive. On the last weekend of July, one can gain insight into the lives of the heroes who fought on the battlefields. Through the re-enactment of the war scenes, the tradition keepers evoke the spirit of the battles. They retell the story of the castle and its surroundings, the legends of the defending heroes and the lives of the defenders and the attackers. On the castle grounds, one can look into the traditionalists’ camps in order to see from up-close how they dressed, what they ate, and how they passed time 500 years ago.
The most interesting and spectacular part of the festival is the war game which revives the moments of the attack sequences.
At night, the visitor can decide whether they want to listen to a concert on one side of the castle or to party with the traditionalists on the other.
Programs 2024
26 July (Friday)
Events in the castle
10.30 Guided tour
13.30 Guided tour
17.00 The table of the middle ages – unique dishes, strange habits, and recipes that can be used nowadays as well – presentation by archeologist Dr Anna Emese Lovász
The programs can be visited with the entrance tickets to castle (armband with unlimited entries for the day: +500 Ft/person).
Events at the hussar castle
19.00 Opening ceremony of the XII. Gyula Castle Festival
Gun salute in memory of the heroes defending the castle
Parade in the historical area of town
Route: Várkert – Harruckern square – World Clock – Kossuth square – World Clock –
Harruckern square – Várkert
Gun salute by the traditionalists during the parade at Kossuth square and in front of the Directorate of Water Management (Vízügyi Igazgatóság) building.
21.00 Kenton Zenekar concert
22.30 Grund Zenekar concert
27 July (Saturday)
Events in the castle
10.00 Forged in Fire – operating smithy
10.30 Guided tour
11.00 Attack dogs and spy pigeons – The role of Turkish and Hungarian animals in the warfare of the age – presentation by György Czeher
11.00 Falconry show
12.30 Fencing – presentation and training
13.30 Guided tour
15.00 Prison visit
The events can be visited with the entrance tickets to the castle (armband with unlimited entries for the day: +500 Ft/person).
Events in the Castle Spa
16.00 Raid with the Seymens of Tata Castle
This program can be visited with the entrance ticket to the Castle Spa.
Events at the moat
10.00 – 19.00 00 Life on the moors – presentation of traditional moorland life
Reed huts of Hortobágy – presentation of pastoral life in Hajdúság and in the Plains
Events at the northern plank bastion
10.00 Tour of the Ottoman camp
15.00 Tour of the Christian camp
16.00 – 17.00 Visiting the Baroque show kitchen
21.00 Camp festivity – Hollóének Hungarica Early Music Band
Events at the western plank wall
9.30 – 12.00 Historical game yard
Crafts, tricky puzzles, games of skill with Bábika Playhouse
Old-fashioned Playground with the Folk Art Association of Békés County
Hungarikum exhibition (felt cloak, bullwhip, tools of shepherding)
13.30 – 20.00 Historical game yard
Crafts, tricky puzzles, games of skill with Bábika Playhouse
Old-fashioned Playground with the Folk Art Association of Békés County
Hungarikum exhibition (felt cloak, bullwhip, tools of shepherding)
Events in the historical area of town
17.00 Hollóének Hungarica Early Music Band
Location: World Clock
Events at the hussar castle
9.30 Marksman demonstration by archer József Mónus the Wolf
10.00 Greyhound show – demonstration of coursing
11.00 The kidnapping of the girls of Gömör – presentation
11.30 Dance-house for children with the Hollóének Hungarica Early Music Band
13.30 Palkó vándorlása – performance by Calliope drama group
14.00 From greyhounds to malaks; dogs in the age of the Ottoman rule – presentation by György Czeher
15.00 Marksman demonstration by archer József Mónus the Wolf
16.00 Lady’s choice – farce with the participation of traditionalist groups
16.30 Battle of squires vs. marauders
17.30 Artillery presentation
18.30 Re-enactment of the siege of Gyula Castle with the participation of military traditionalist groups
21.30 Bagossy Brothers Company concert
28 July (Sunday)
Events at the moat
10.00 – 17.00 Life on the moors – presentation of traditional moorland life
Reed huts of Hortobágy – presentation of pastoral life in Hajdúság and in the Plains
Events in the castle
10.30 Guided tour
11.30 Weapons in hand – you can hold the weapons in your hands
12.30 Siege walk – the defense line and the siege of 1566
13.30 Guided tour
15.00 The influence of the eastern cavalry on the Hungarian cavalry culture – presentation by György Czeher
The events can be visited with the tickets for the castle (armband with unlimited entries for the day: +500 Ft/person).
Events at the western plank wall
9.30 – 12.00 Historical game yard
Crafts, tricky puzzles, games of skill with Bábika Playhouse
Old-fashioned Playground with the Folk Art Association of Békés County
Hungarikum exhibition (felt cloak, bullwhip, tools of shepherding)
13.00 – 18.00 Historical game yard
Crafts, tricky puzzles, games of skill with Bábika Playhouse
Old-fashioned Playground with the Folk Art Association of Békés County
Hungarikum exhibition (felt cloak, bullwhip, tools of shepherding)
Events at the northern plank bastion
10.00 Tour of the Christian camp
14.00 – 15.00 Visiting the Baroque show kitchen
Location: the Christian camp
14.00 Tour of the Ottoman camp
Events in the Castle Spa
15.00 Palkó vándorlása – performance by the Calliope drama group
This program can be visited with the entrance ticket to the Castle Spa.
Events at the hussar castle
9.30 Demonstration of Hungarian dog breeds
10.30 From greyhounds to malaks; dogs in the age of the Ottoman rule – presentation by György Czeher
11.30 Heptathlon and squire training for children with the participation of the warriors of the Thury Castle
13.30 Falconry show
14.30 Battle of squires vs. marauders
15.30 Artillery show
16.00 Recapturing of Gyula Castle
17.00 Hollóének Hungarica Early Music Band
21.00 EDDA MŰVEK concert
The events can be visited free of charge with the exception of the programs in the Gyula Castle and Castle Spa.
We reserve the right to change the program.
