History

Human settlement on this hill dates to the late Stone Age (Baden culture), followed by Bronze and Iron Age occupation. The medieval castle was founded in the 9th century as a Slavic stronghold.

King Béla III of Hungary ordered the construction of the original stone keep in the 12th century, positioned at 571 m elevation. A century later, as Mongol invasions threatened the region, royal stonemason master Bertold oversaw an unprecedented expansion: both castle compounds were surrounded by massive fortifications and a 206-metre defensive wall was built in the saddle between them.

The 14th century brought significant development under the Balassa family. Count Doncs, a noble warrior-diplomat serving Charles I of Hungary, expanded the Lower Castle with Gothic-style buildings inspired by his travels to France. A four-storey tower was added to the Upper Castle’s entrance gate, and the northern section became known as Doncs’ Castle.

The castle declined after the 15th-century conflicts between John Hunyadi and John Jiskra of Brandýs. Fire destroyed much of Pustý hrad during a 1452 siege, probably set by Hunyadi’s troops. A watchtower erected in the 16th century was the last major structure built on the site.