Friends of Szadvar

Friends of Szadvar (Hungarian: Szádvárért Baráti Kör) is a volunteer-based civil association founded in 2006 by a group that organized through an internet forum. Its mission is to protect and promote the ruins of Szádvár, a medieval castle rising north of Szögliget in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Hungary, and to popularize the surrounding region. The castle, one of the largest and highest ruin castles in the country, sits on a 460-meter-high rocky plateau in the Aggtelek Karst forests; its walls enclose an area of roughly 200 by 70 meters, about one hectare including the "Csiga" (Snail) section. The association organizes three main volunteer events each year: the spring Vármentő Napok (Castle-Saving Days) around March 15, the summer Vármentő Hét (Castle-Saving Week, an archaeological week) in early August, and the autumn Vármentő Napok around October 23. During these events, volunteers clear vegetation and litter from the castle area, collect scattered building stones for future conservation work, and assist in archaeological excavation under the professional direction of the Herman Ottó Museum in Miskolc. The summer archaeological week typically attracts 50–60 volunteers and includes evening lectures on archaeology, history, and monument protection. Finds such as metal objects, ceramics from various periods, bone remains, and carved stones are collected and stored by the Herman Ottó Museum, with some restored pieces displayed in Szögliget. The association maintains close ties with several institutions and professional organizations, including the Municipality of Szögliget, the Herman Ottó Museum, the Aggtelek National Park, and Északerdő Zrt., as well as numerous civil associations. As a cross-border initiative, it cooperates with Castrum Thorna Polgári Társulás, an association working to save the Tornai Castle in Slovakia. The public-benefit organization has received several awards for its work. In 2017, it organized the "Ostromnap" (Siege Day) commemorating the 450th anniversary of the castle's only known siege. The castle is being renewed through the National Castle and National Fortress Program (Nemzeti Kastély és Nemzeti Várprogram), with restoration work visible by December 2020.

Friends of Szadvar (Szádvárért Baráti Kör) was founded in 2006 by a group of volunteers who organized through an internet forum. Their goal was to protect the ruins of Szádvár, a medieval castle located north of Szögliget in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Hungary, and to promote the almost forgotten fortress and the surrounding region. The castle, which had been decaying for centuries, is one of the largest and highest ruin castles in present-day Hungary, situated on a 460-meter-high rocky plateau in the Aggtelek Karst forests. Its walls enclose an area of approximately 200 by 70 meters, about one hectare including the "Csiga" (Snail) section. Since October 2006, the association has continuously organized three events each year on the castle grounds: the spring Vármentő Napok (Castle-Saving Days) around March 15, the summer Vármentő Hét (Castle-Saving Week, an archaeological week) in early August, and the autumn Vármentő Napok around October 23. These events are open to anyone; volunteers are accommodated in guesthouses in Szögliget or the Szalamandra house, with meals organized twice daily. The association tries to support volunteers' costs as its means allow. The timing of events is constrained by activities permitted in the national park area, so as not to disturb bird nesting or the deer rutting season. Before each event, the association obtains all necessary permits from the competent authorities and institutions. The Vármentő Napok are two-day events timed to long weekends created by national holidays, so that volunteers do not need to take leave. Their purpose is to clear the castle area of overgrown vegetation and litter left by visitors, and to collect fallen building stones to prepare material for future conservation. These events typically attract 20–30 people and have a convivial atmosphere, sometimes including bacon frying, lángos, and the preparation of the so-called "Szádvári kelgyó" by the castle's cook. The Vármentő Hét (Archaeological Week) is a 5–6 day event where usually 50–60 volunteers assist in archaeological research under the professional direction of the Herman Ottó Museum in Miskolc. Participants can help uncover the castle's secrets; while removing find-rich rubble is physically demanding, tasks such as sieving spoil can be done even by small children, making the event suitable for families. University archaeology students can use it as professional practice, and high school students can count it as mandatory community service. Evenings feature lectures on archaeological, historical, or monument-related topics by renowned speakers. Finds from the excavations—metal objects, ceramics from various periods, bone remains, carved stones—are collected and stored by the Herman Ottó Museum. Some of the more important and spectacular pieces, after restoration, will be displayed in Szögliget. A small portion of the finds is currently visible in display cases in the Szögliget marriage hall; the key can be requested at the municipal office or the local history house. In addition to the annual events, on March 12, 2017, within the XXII Vármentő Napok, the association organized the so-called Ostromnap (Siege Day) to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the castle's only known siege. In early January 1567, the Habsburg-loyal chief captain of Kassa, Schwendi Lázár, laid siege to Szádvár, which was held by Lord Bebek György, who sided with the Transylvanians. In his absence, his wife Patócsy Zsófia led the defenders and heroically withstood four days of heavy cannon fire against the imperial troops, but eventually had to surrender the heavily damaged fortress in exchange for the safe withdrawal of the castle staff and soldiers. The program was enriched by performances of several associations, organizations, and artistic ensembles, including the Hollóének Hungarica Early Music Ensemble, the Szent Orbán Wine Knights Order, the Szádvári Ordasok Archery Association, the Északi Szabad Hajdúk, and the Diósgyőr Archery and Tradition-Preserving Association. The association also hosted the Castrum Bene wandering meeting in 2014 (May 2–4). It maintains close relations with several institutions and professional organizations, primarily the Municipality of Szögliget, the Herman Ottó Museum in Miskolc, the Aggtelek National Park, and Északerdő Zrt., as well as numerous civil associations. As a cross-border initiative, it cooperates with Castrum Thorna Polgári Társulás, an association working to save the Tornai Castle in Slovakia. The public-benefit organization has been recognized with several awards. The castle is being renewed through the National Castle and National Fortress Program (Nemzeti Kastély és Nemzeti Várprogram), with restoration progress documented in December 2020.

• 2020

  Castle renewal through the National Castle and National Fortress Program documented in December.

• 2017

  Organized Ostromnap (Siege Day) on March 12, commemorating the 450th anniversary of the castle's only known siege.

• 2014

  Hosted the Castrum Bene wandering meeting on May 2–4.

• 2006

  Association founded by volunteers organized via an internet forum.

• 2006

  First Vármentő Napok held in October; annual events continue thereafter.

Non-profit volunteer association dedicated to the preservation, research, and promotion of Szádvár castle ruins and the surrounding region.

• Vármentő Napok (Castle-Saving Days)

  Two-day volunteer events in spring and autumn to clear vegetation and collect stones.

• Vármentő Hét (Castle-Saving Week / Archaeological Week)

  5–6 day archaeological excavation camp with 50–60 volunteers under museum supervision.

• Szádvár 3D

  Digital 3D reconstruction and models of the castle.

• Várjáró Magazin

  Publication related to the castle and association activities.

1. 1Szádvárért Baráti Kör - Szádvár Rád vár!szadvar.hu
2. 2Friends of Szadvar - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Szádvárért Baráti Kör - Wikipedia (Hungarian)hu.wikipedia.org