Every August, the town of Kőszeg (Kőszeg) becomes a living time capsule as locals and visitors commemorate the legendary siege of 1532, when Ottoman forces failed to conquer the fortress. The Kőszeg Siege Days (Kőszegi Ostromnapok) have become a wildly popular cultural event, combining history, spectacle, and a dash of cheeky fun, mixing traditional folklore with modern-day entertainment across three lively days. In 2025, the festivities kick off on August 1 and run through August 3, filling the streets with costumed Turks, brave defenders, and a horde of curious time-travelers.
Ancient Grudges, Boxing Gloves, and Charity Runs
Before the main event, Kőszeg (Kőszeg) sets the stage with warm-up programs. From July 30 to August 1, the central square hosts the 18th Siege Cup, a fiercely contested international boxing tournament. If the skies open up, the event moves into the Balogh School (Balogh Iskola) gymnasium—no invader stops the punches.
On August 2, runners lace up for the 4th Fortress Defender Charity Race, winding up to 13 miles through the historic town, the fortress, and even the “Turkish camp.” All registration fees go directly to help Bence and Magor through the Mirtill Foundation, showing that Kőszeg’s defenders have as much heart as muscle. The morning warm-up starts at 8:45 with fitness guru Luca Hámori, and the Ataru Taiko drum group ensures runners never lose their rhythm.
Sport, Art, and Military Might
The military-themed Sport Days on August 1 and 2 feature boxing demonstrations, archery along Students’ Avenue (Diák-sétány), a laser shooting course, and obstacle runs. Traditions are kept alive with costumed heritage reenactors and a visit to the heroic statue of Miklós Jurisics (Miklós Jurisics), the legendary defender himself.
Art lovers are not left out—beginning on July 31, the Jurisics Castle (Jurisics-vár) displays intricate drawings by artist Roland Birta, offering a quieter tribute to Kőszeg’s defiant past.
The Three-Day Carnival of History
The true Siege Weekend erupts in flamboyant style on Friday, August 1. At exactly 3:32 PM, celebratory musket shots echo from the Heroes’ Tower (Hősök tornya), launching the 18th Kőszeg Siege Days (Kőszegi Ostromnapok). The streets fill with battles—of boxing, music, and dance. Costumed Turks “attack” the boxing cup, while the Kőszeg String Ensemble (Kőszegi Vonósok), the historic BE-JÓ Dance Group (BE-JÓ Tánccsoport), and the Kőszeg Tower Keepers (Kőszegi Toronyőrök) keep the energy surging from afternoon to night. At 8:00 PM, the city is set ablaze with a fiery “Turkish attack” at the castle moat, followed by a torch-lit parade and a night of dance and historical costume tours.
Saturday, August 2, brings even more action. The day begins with blank volleys fired from the tower, followed by a walking tour of the town’s fortifications led by museum director József Révész. There’s also a Turkish parade, dog demonstrations, saber dances, a bustling medieval market, and mounted shows from both the Batthyány Cavalry (Batthyány Lovasbandérium) and the Western County Knighthood (Nyugat Vármegyei Lovagrend).
The day’s climax is the grand city siege reenactment, complete with costumed defenders and invaders. Supporter tickets for the spectacle range from about $2.80 (children) to $7 (adults). As dusk falls, concerts, folk parties, a retro disco, and games for kids take over the squares and castle grounds.
Saying Goodbye – With a Bang
On Sunday, August 3, the events continue with an 8-mile trek to Suleiman Lookout (Szulejmán-kilátó) and a noisy commemoration at 11 AM, celebrating the moment when the siege’s legendary bell tolled. Should Saturday be rained out, Sunday’s schedule will be adjusted to include the postponed siege.
A full schedule follows: historical tours in the Generals’ House (Tábornokház) and Heroes’ Tower, wine-merchant competitions, martial demonstrations, children’s sieges, and craft workshops for all ages. The afternoon features mock “battles” between eager children and noble soldiers, along with folk music, dance groups, horseback archery, and the pounding rhythms of the Ataru Taiko drummers.
The festival closes with a high-energy concert by OCHO MACHO at 8 PM, ensuring everyone leaves with ringing ears and fond memories of Kőszeg’s playful defiance.
One Ticket, Many Treasures
Thanks to the “Museum Siege” joint ticket, all exhibitions in Jurisics Castle (Jurisics-vár) and the Kőszeg City Museum (Kőszegi Városi Múzeum) can be visited at a discount throughout the weekend. Anyone with a ticket can revisit the museums for free until August 10, offering a final salute to Kőszeg’s fighting spirit—until next year’s costumed invaders and steadfast defenders return to the town once again.
