Hungary: Visegrad

Visegrad’s location is simply spectacular – on a bend of the Danube River and on a high promontory hill with panoramic views along the river for miles. Deriving its name from Slavic origins, Visegrad means “High Town”. The town on the river bank house the Royal Palace which was built in 1316 by Charles I and at the time was one of the grandest palaces in Europe. Almost vertically above the palace (but a good dozen km by road) is the Visegrad Citadel, perched on nearly precipitous cliff and pretty much inaccessible from any direction.