From March 3–8, 2026, the Danube Bastion in Komárom (2900, Duna-part 1) turns its vaulted casemates into a time capsule with Duna, hajók, mesterségek (Danube, ships, crafts), an immersive showcase of river life, traditional trades, and the vessels that shaped the region. Visitors can wander at their own pace—no guided tour needed—and explore the crafts of the Danube: fishing, gold panning, and shipbuilding brought to life through models, installations, and hands-on history.
Warships and watery legends
The first room plunges into naval history with Hungarian ties. Center stage is a meticulous model of the ill-fated battleship SMS Szent István, still the largest ship ever built in Hungary, whose sinking claimed 89 lives. Around it, a fleet of models paints a picture of strategy, innovation, and the high stakes of river and sea power, viewed through Hungarian stories and engineering feats.
From towboats to steam dreams
Next comes the evolution of European cargo vessels, where Hungarian builders consistently punched above their weight. Highlights chart the leap to mechanical towage: Antal Bernhardt’s pioneering tug, the 1817 steamer Carolina; István Széchenyi’s 1830 Lower Danube exploratory trip aboard Desdemona; and Ödön Széchenyi’s 1867 Paris voyage with Hableány (Mermaid). After the Ottoman era, Hungarian shipyards and crews matched their European peers in quality, helping expand river freight options and speed up trade along Central Europe’s watery superhighway.
The 29.5-foot showstopper
A standout installation is a 29.5-foot (9-meter) reconstruction of a classic Danube cargo boat, a bőgőshajó. It’s a point of pride, not least because Mór Jókai’s The Man with the Golden Touch (Az arany ember) features a vessel of this very type, the Szent Borbála. Komárom was once a top hub for building such boats with exacting skill, and the exhibit tips its hat to that tradition.
Plan your visit
Dress in layers appropriate to the season; the casemates stay cool even in peak heat. Wear comfortable closed shoes and bring a flashlight. Heed Balesetveszély! (Danger!) and Tilos! (Prohibited!) signs, avoid hazardous spots, and don’t leave children under 12 unattended. First aid and basic medicines are available at the ticket offices.
Access, filming, and photos
Festival, arts, and sports events use announced pricing. During film shoots or corporate events, some areas may be closed—check on-site or online before buying tickets. Private photography and filming are allowed; purchase a photo or camera ticket at the cashier. Commercial use of images of the fortress requires permission from Monostori Erőd Nonprofit Ltd. Free Hungarian- and foreign-language info leaflets help you navigate, and Komárom–Komárno maps at the main gate guide visitors between the three fortresses on both banks of the Danube.
