Simontornya

Simontornya takes its name from the tower built by Simon beside the Sió, amid the marshes of Transdanubia. The medieval castle became a noble residence as well as a stronghold. Around 1500 Mózes Buzlay, a diplomat familiar with the courts of Europe, transformed it into a Renaissance palace.

Ottoman troops captured Simontornya in 1545, and it became the seat of a sanjak governor until its capture by imperial forces in 1686. After the war the castle was rebuilt as a fortress. It served as a stronghold during Francis II Rákóczi's uprising, resisting until Austrian troops took it after a hard siege in 1709. Its military role ended in 1717; later owners moved into a new mansion and used the old castle buildings as a granary.