Cultural Heritage Days: Zwinger-Old Tower

Dear Visitors!

On September 19–20, as part of Cultural Heritage Days, several of iASK’s iconic buildings will open their doors to visitors. One weekend, three special locations, centuries of history. ✨

 * Zwinger | September 19, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

* Festetics Palace | September 19, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

* Sgraffito House | September 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

ZWINGER

📅 September 19 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

📌 9730 Kőszeg, 16 Chernel Street.

The nine-sided bastion is considered the oldest part of the town’s defensive system, and served as the southwest corner bastion of the former city wall during times of war; it is believed to date back to the 13th century. Its current form was completed prior to the Turkish attack of 1532.

It served multiple functions over the centuries; in addition to its defensive role, it was used as a larder, a warehouse, and, according to some sources, even as a wine cellar by the locals. Food was stored on the lower floors of the building. After the tower lost its defensive function, it was repurposed for various uses; and in the 1820s, the idea of converting it into a coal cellar was proposed. Until recently, it served as a tourist attraction and museum. In the cellar, there is a grape press with a figure, dating from 1778.

As part of the Kraft Program, the building underwent a complete renovation in 2015, resulting in the building being given new, sustainable functions: it became an exhibition space for the Institute of Advanced Studies and a venue for lectures, conferences, and cultural events. In addition to its new purpose, a primary consideration was the preservation of its historical and architectural values— and the work carried out in this manner resulted in a fine example of so-called “integrated” historic preservation.