The community of Nagykeri originates from the Árpád dynasty according to historical findings. The settlement in Hajdú-Bihar County was once possessed by the Ártándy family whose chateau was converted to a castle in 1440. Later István Bocskai, who was promoted to a chief captain in 1592, improved the building to a fortified and considerable castle with enough room for hundreds of soldiers. In 1604 the Hapsburg forces laid siege on this fortification, however, their efforts did not turn into victory. The defenders stood their ground and Bocskai rewarded the settlement with agricultural city rights that culminated in the rise of the local serfs. Unfortunately, the Turkish army almost devastated the entire building in 1660.
Later in the 18th century a Baroque chateau was built on the ruins of the castle. In 1870 it was converted to a Romantic Neo-Baroque building. In the 20th century renovations were conducted and now it houses a museum. The latter demonstrates and commemorates the duke’s endeavour and outstanding role in the independent war through the “Bocskai István and Independece War” exhibition.
Bocskai was one of the politics who made efforts on the Hungarian Protestant Reformation, in addition, the monument of Reformation shows a statue of him in Geneva.

Further information: www.nagykereki.hu