Bob Run & Hiking
A gorgeous entertainment for every generations
Half day
Hungary's most famous bob-sleigh track allows visitors to try an almost one kilometer-long hillside chute.
All year round at Visegrad the 240 metre-long lift takes the bobbers to the top of the hill, where the sleigh sets out on its twisting run. The 11 bends and 700 metre-long course make it truly thrilling. Alone or with a companion, the riders decide the speed of the ride. Trying the bob-sleigh is a great entertainment for families, groups, young people and the old also. The children are waited with swing, slides and a kid-excavator. From the bends in the middle of the run an excellent view opens onto the ruins of the nearby Citadel (Fellegvár).
After bob-sleighing we guide you to the ruins of Lower Castle, which give an insight of Visegrád's medieval history. In the 14th century Visegrád became the seat of royal power and the capital of Hungary. Today its main historical sites evoke memories of former greatness of the town. The hexagonal, originally 311 meters high Solomon tower is an impressive relic of the Lower Castle. The road along the river bank was surveyed from here. Solomon's Tower is also known for its famous prisoner, Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula, who was kept here under duress for almost thirteen years, between 1462 and 1475.
Visegrád is known not only for its historical ruins, but also for picturesque view of the Danube bend and surrounding hills. A signposted road from the castle leads up to the majestic Citadel. To reach it and to enjoy the gorgeous views you may choose to hike - the slope is not that steep and it will take you about 30-40 minutes to get to the top. Among the old trees on the path to the Citadel, you can admire the wonderful nature around you.
Arriving to the Citadel we can take a look at one of the most beautiful regions of Hungary, the breathtaking Danube-bend.
The double fortification system with the Lower Castle and the upper castle, Citadel was built around 1250-1260 for Béla IV and his wife Mária Lascaris from the money she received for the jewellery that she had brought with her from Byzantium. The castle consisted of the fortified walls around the hilltop, two towers, and a residential palace.
The fortification had great political importance as the place where the royal insignia were kept for a while. Despite repeated sieges and conquests the castle survived the Turkish wars, but not the punitive expedition of the Habsburgs against the Rákóczi uprising in 1702. Since then it has remained in ruins and is open to visitors. The middle of the castle, which is surrounded by several protective walls and fortified with a system of gates, narrow passages and drawbridges, consists of three wings around an enclosed courtyard (upper castle yard) which form an irregular triangle. In the east wing is the treasury tower, the former hoard of royal insignia. The Holy Crown was preserved in the Citadel for nearly 200 years.
Finally Visegrád's special restaurants await the lovers of gastronomy. You can relax after the tour and have a 3-course lunch in a traditional Hungarian restaurant.