Travel to Sárospatak

My husband bought motorcycle parts online as well as at markets. When he did, we would set off on a road trip around the country.

Why did we have to go to Sárospatak ?

Date of travel

This story must have taken place sometime between 2005 and 2007, but unfortunately I didn’t save the date the photos were taken. So now I can only guess based on the format in which they are stored.

My husband found some motorcycle parts there. I didn’t take any pictures of the motorcycle parts either. So we may have gone there for nothing. There will be more pictures from our next trip (to Siklós).

However, it was still worth coming to this place. Namely, because of the Rákóczi Castle in Sárospatak. I had already been here in high school, but I was happy to see it again.

My daughter and one of my sons joined us.

The location

First, we went to the location of the transaction. We found a house for sale there. I couldn’t resist taking some photos. If it hadn’t been nearly 300 km away, I would have gladly considered buying it.

Asphalt street in Sárospatak with family houses on both sides and a bus stop sign in the foreground — Sárospatak-street

Old countryside house with walls covered in red climbing plants, next to pine trees.” — Sárospatak-street

The Rákóczi Castle

Sárospatak is located in northeastern Hungary, in the Zemplén Mountains. The Bodrog River flows nearby. “Often referred to as Patak in historical sources, the town is an important cultural center, a charming historical settlement, and a popular tourist destination.” (Wikipedia). So it is not defined by the river flowing beside it. The place is famous for Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II, the leader of the Rákóczi War of Independence, who died in exile in Rodosto (Tekirdağ-TR). Sárospatak was the residence of the Rákóczi princes.

The park

There is a park in front of the castle.

equestrian statue of Francis II Rákóczi among trees in the park of Sárospatak Castle.” — Sárospatak-Castle,

The Park

The Rákóczi equestrian statue

There is a life-size equestrian statue of Ferenc Rákóczi II in the park. It was not designed for this location, but for Rodosto. However, they did not dare to erect the huge statue there. You can read the story here, but it is only in Hungarian..

The museum

The castle now functions as a museum.

Decorative carved stone coat of arms with crown motif at Sárospatak Castle.” — Sárospatak-Castle,

Coat of arms

Golden sign of the Rákóczi Museum of the Hungarian National Museum in Sárospatak. — Sárospatak-Castle,

Coat of arms

Its permanent exhibition covers the entire history of the Rákóczi family. The reconstructed cannon foundry workshop is also open to visitors. We only looked at the cannons on display.

The cannons

Cannon on display in the courtyard of Sárospatak Castle with the massive stone wall behind. — Sárospatak-Castle,

Cannon

Displayed cannon in the castle courtyard in front of the Renaissance loggia — Sárospatak-Castle,

Cannon

The tower

The Red Tower is a five-story, square-shaped old building with bastions. Later, several new sections were added to it.

Stone residential tower of Rákóczi Castle with a white clock tower on the right. — Sárospatak-Castle,

Tower with Clock

Wooden bridge of Sárospatak Castle leading to the main gate and the Baroque façade.” — Sárospatak-Castle,

Tower with Clock

The loggia

In my opinion, the most beautiful part of the castle is the loggia.

Arcaded Renaissance façade in the inner courtyard of Sárospatak Castle — Sárospatak-Castle,

arcade

The picture shows a beige building with arcades at the bottom, a curved roof at the top, and many glass windows. A small silver car is parked in front of the building. The picture shows a beige building with arcades at the bottom, a curved roof at the top, and many glass windows. A small silver car is parked in front of the building. — Sárospatak-Castle,

arcade

The wooden bridge

The old castle walls can be accessed through an iron gate and then a wooden bridge.

An arched, double-winged iron gate can be seen. The right wing is open. Through it, a very long wooden bridge without railings can be seen. — Sárospatak-Castle,

Iron Gate

The castle’s wooden bridge leading to the outer walls, with a large tree in the background. — Sárospatak-Castle,

Iron Gate

The old castle walls

“Archaeological excavations have also uncovered the foundation walls of the outer bastion in front of the gate.” (Wikipedia). We took a walk on it.

Promenade on the walls of Sárospatak Castle, with a large shady tree in the center and a walking visitor — Sárospatak-Castle,

Path on the walls

Stone castle walls with a small tiled-roof outbuilding inside Sárospatak Castle.” — Sárospatak-Castle,

Path on the walls

On the way home

Old cars

To the boys’ delight, we came across some old cars on the way home. Among them were a Volkswagen, a Lada, and a Jaguar, all of which were inoperable. But there was also an old Volvo with license plates. It didn’t matter anymore that we had come to Sárospatak for engine parts and left empty-handed.