Teleki–Wattay Castle, also known as the Hungarian Choral Castle, is a baroque gem in the town of Pomáz, set within a 2-hectare park that today buzzes with music rather than aristocratic silence. It's a place where history meets contemporary culture — a great stop for anyone combining mountain hiking with a taste of local heritage.

Walking through the park surrounding the single-story, arcaded building with its distinctive mansard roof, it's easy to picture the era when 19th-century poets and scholars were guests here. In spring and summer, the green park offers a peaceful contrast to the surrounding Pilis Hills, while in autumn colorful foliage adds to its picturesque charm. It's a calm spot to unwind after hikes in the nearby hills.

How to get there

• From Pomáz town center — on foot, approx. 10-15 minutes, easy route
• By car or public transport from Budapest (approx. 20 km), then a short walk to the castle

Practical information

• The castle offers accommodation and dining as a music and event center
• Home to the Central European Centre of Europa Cantat
• Restored between 2004 and 2007 with EU funding

Interestingly, it was within these walls that József Teleki, the first president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, wrote his famous historical work on the era of the Hunyadis — today, instead of historians, the castle hosts choirs and orchestras from across Europe.