Old Castle (Oregvar), Tata

The castle was started in the 13th century in Gothic style, then extended and partially rebuilt in a Renaissance style in the 14th and 15th centuries. However it was not left untouched by 18th-century Baroque and 19th-century Romanticism either. Its system of fortifications dates from the 16th century.

Enter the grounds of the castle across a bridge built by the famed Baroque architect Jakab Fellner and catch a glimpse of the original gateway to the left, now walled up. Beyond the gate and behind the ruins the preserved and rebuilt wing of the palace is an impressive sight.
The foundation walls of the four corner turrets and the adjacent wings are clearly discernible.

The castle was probably built between 1397 and 1409 on an outcrop of bedrock in the surrounding wet, marshy area. It was not built for protective purposes but rather as the centre of a domain, used as a resting place and a hunting lodge during the period of the kingdom. It was a royal palace of Zsigmond of Luxembourg (1368-1437) and then of King Matthias (1443-1490).

During the period of Ottoman occupation, it was reinforced, but it never truely served a defence purpose. Additions in Baroque, neo-Classical and Romantic styles were made later.

The castle was converted to a museum in 1959.