This castle is a 14th-century fortification donated by Matthias I to Pál Kinizsi. Kinizsi's sarcophagus can be found in the castle chapel. Facing the castle is a baroque church which was commissioned by Kinizsi in 1470. There is also an ethnographic museum in the village, notes Wikipedia.

In the framework of the European Capital of Culture program, Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Regional Development, handed over the keys to the Kinizsi Castle to Szabolcs Fábry, Mayor of Nagyvázsony, at a ceremony.

A total of 17 castles and 12 fortresses are being renovated nationwide under the National Castle and Fortress Program. The Kinizsi Castle, an iconic monument of Veszprém County, has been included in the program thanks to the local government and the Kinizsi Circle.

Speaking at the handover event, Navracsics stressed that "Kinizsi Castle is one of the Hungarian historical heritage sites that can show the strength of our culture and become an economic model for the region. It can give Nagyvázsony not only a profile but also a profit. We just have to make sure that the regional economic model of the European Capital of Culture Veszprém-Balaton is maintained after 2024."

The castle has been renovated with heritage and monument protection in mind, while adding an interactive exhibition and a state-of-the-art event hall. A museum shop and a café will be open from April. 

At the opening ceremony, Zsanett Oláh, CEO of the National Heritage Protection Development Nonprofit said, "Our priority is to become a proactive player and offer high-quality tourist attractions, exhibition content, and quality services to the tourism sector."

Thanks to the investment, the Kinizsi Castle will offer quality recreation all year round in a renovated area of more than 2,300 sqm, thus reducing the seasonality typical of the Lake Balaton tourism region.

In his speech, Nagyvázsony Mayor Szabolcs Fábry said, "Thanks to the grants, nearly 20 businesses have now started up around the castle and 70 families are starting to renovate properties in the old village of Nagyvázsony."

The project was implemented with EU funding of HUF 1.6 billion.

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