Petercsák Tivadar: Várak és múzeumok - Studia Agriensia 29. (Eger, 2010)

Az egri vár: valóságos és eszmei érték

EGER CASTLE:

ITS VALUE AS MONUMENT AND IDEA

Eger Castle is one of Hungary’s most well-known historical monuments, and a site that occupies an important position in Hungarian history. This study describes the fortress's part in the wars against the Turks during the 16th century, as well as the heroic defence of the castle by István Dobó and his garrison of two thousand. From the architectural history of the castle it can clearly be seen how an episcopal centre was transformed into a border fortress. Indeed, it is still possible to recognize much that is of architectural and artistic interest both in the fortifications themselves and at the museum. Of almost equal importance is the way people react to what went on at the castle. It is for this reason that the author sheds light on the main contributions in the creation of the cult of the castle, and the effects of the poetry written about the 1552 siege from the 16thcentury onwards, as well as Géza Gárdonyi’s novel and the subsequent film adaptation and musical. In addition there has also been a whole sequence of artistic depictions of the heroic defence. Indeed, since its arrival in the castle precincts in 1958 the museum has played an active role in propagating the Cult of the Castle.

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