Welcome

We warmly welcome you to the website of Bethlen–Rákóczi Castle in Gyimesbükk!

Towering on the steep cliffs of the “Kő-orr” above the valley of the River Tatros, this fortress served for centuries as one of the key eastern outposts of historic Hungary. Here, on this site on the thousand-year-old border, the heroic stand of the Szekler border guards comes within tangible reach of the visitor.

The history of the castle spans from its construction in 1626 right up to the front lines of the Second World War. Watchful eyes once scanned the Gyimes Pass from within these walls, and the fortification system not only provided protection against enemy incursions but also served the security of the Kingdom of Hungary as an important customs post and health quarantine station.

Through our website, you can learn about the history of the castle, the ‘Blockhaus’ era, the construction of the Gyimes Pass fortification system, the destruction of the strategically important forts, and the process of the Bethlen–Rákóczi Castle’s rebirth. Our exhibition, which opened its doors in 2026 to mark the 400th anniversary of the castle’s construction, presents the military and civilian history of the Gyimes Pass through authentic historical documents, archival sources, site plans and blueprints drawn up by military engineers.

We invite you to visit us in person after exploring the virtual tour, to walk up the historic staircase, and to discover the new experience-based exhibition spaces where the treasures of the past meet the breathtaking views of nature.

We hope you enjoy your visit!