How much is the entrance fee to Bory Castle (Bory-vár)?

We paid 4,000 forints at the ticket desk, which is about €11. Prices can change, so it is best to check them on the castle's website.

How far is Bory-vár from Székesfehérvár?

Only about 5 km from the centre, so you can be there by car in a few minutes. Getting to the castle is easy, and there is no demanding uphill climb waiting for you.

Can you park at Bory-vár?

We parked a short distance away, completely free of charge. Rules can change though, so check the parking options on the official website before you go.

What is the story behind Bory-vár?

It was built by the architect and sculptor Jenő Bory out of love for his wife Ilona. He built it himself, with only the help of friends, in his free time and without a fixed plan, over an incredible 40 years. It is listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest structure built by a single person.

What is there to see at Bory-vár?

You can walk almost everywhere: to the tops of the towers, along the galleries and into the inner rooms full of Ilona's paintings and hundreds of statues, columns and fountains. They are all made of concrete, even though they look like ancient stone. The two tallest towers symbolise Mr. and Mrs. Bory, and the three smaller domes their children.

Is Bory-vár crowded?

We went on a weekday and at first had the castle almost to ourselves. Only later did a bus with more tourists arrive.

Is there a café and toilets at the castle?

Yes, there are toilets and a small café.

How long should you plan for Bory-vár?

We spent about two hours there, calmly going through everything. There are really a lot of details.

Is Bory-vár suitable for children?

We think so. Climbing the towers, walking along the galleries and the many statues and fountains can entertain kids too.

Bory-vár, Székesfehérvár: A Castle Built by One Man

Our last trip from Székesfehérvár took us to a place that charmed me completely. Even before we went, the Czech TV show “Caravanning Through Hungary” had gotten me hooked on the Bory castle (Bory-vár). So we decided we simply had to see it with our own eyes. And you know what? The reality exceeded every expectation. 🙂

First glimpse of Bory-vár

If you’re not a fan of long hikes up steep hills, I have great news for you – this castle is easy to reach by car, with no strenuous climb waiting for you. It’s just a stone’s throw from the centre of Székesfehérvár (about 5 kilometres), so you’ll get there in a few minutes. We parked nearby completely free of charge, but as I always say, it’s best to check the parking options on their official website before you go. Parking rules can change. 🅿️

The entrance tower and the information board with a map of the grounds

No plan at all, just 40 years of pure love and DIY spirit

When we arrived at the castle, we paid the admission fee at the ticket office (4,000 HUF, which converts to under 270 CZK) and stepped into a completely different world. Since we came on a weekday, at first we practically had the whole castle to ourselves. It was only later that a bus full of other tourists showed up.

The story of this place reads like a romance novel. The Hungarian architect and sculptor Jenő Bory (1879–1959) built it out of pure love for his wife Ilona. And he built it alone, with only his friends to help, in his spare time – for an incredible 40 years! What’s fascinating is that the castle never had a fixed plan. Everything took shape gradually, ideas came as he went along, and the castle simply kept being built onto and expanded. Bory’s castle is the most famous landmark of Székesfehérvár, and it’s even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest structure ever built by a single person.

The story of the Bory family and a model of the entire castle grounds

Mr. Bory was also an incredible visionary. He was one of the first to use concrete for building and for sculpting alike. Yes, you read that right – those hundreds of gorgeous statues, columns, and fountains that look like ancient stone are actually works of art made of concrete. 🗿

Concrete statues and details decorated with coins and shells

A family secret hidden in the towers

The castle also doubles as a private museum, so you’ll find a huge number of beautiful artworks there. As you walk around, you’re sure to notice the two main towers. The tallest ones symbolise Mr. Bory himself and his beloved wife Ilona. Inseparable from them are three smaller domes, representing their three children – daughters Ilona and Klára, twins, and son György.

The two main towers and three domes symbolising the Bory family

This family spirit still lives on at the castle today. It’s not owned by the state – instead, it has a whole host of owners among the direct descendants of its founders, who lovingly care for it. So every part or corner of the castle belongs to someone different.

The courtyard and arcades that still belong to the Bory family's descendants

Details that will take your breath away, and doors wide open

What surprised me most was that we could really go in absolutely everywhere. You can climb to the tops of the towers, walk along the galleries, and explore the interior spaces too. Wherever you look, there are paintings hanging (his wife Ilona was a wonderful painter) and there must be countless statues. 🖼️

Staircases, stained glass, and vaulted corridors with a gallery of paintings by Ilona

Even on the building facades, you’ll find an incredible number of tiny details and works of art that you could easily miss on a quick visit. We spent a really long time here before we’d calmly seen everything. There are facilities on site of course, including toilets, and you’ll also find a small café. But we were so overwhelmed by all that beauty and absorbed in exploring that we completely forgot about coffee.