The highly acclaimed Netflix series, The Witcher, made its much-anticipated comeback on October 30, captivating millions of viewers across the globe with its fourth season. Originating from the writings of Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski, this series stands out as one of the few non-English fantasy franchises to achieve international acclaim. What makes it even more intriguing is its wealth of references to Hungarian culture and heritage.
Set in a fictional universe known as the ‘Continent’, Sapkowski’s narratives unfold on a planet frequently simply referred to as the ‘World’. This richly crafted realm is enveloped in a dark, medieval fantasy ambiance that draws heavily from Slavic mythology. The landscapes are teeming with various monsters, enchantments play a crucial role in the lives of the characters, and the complex relationships among humans, elves, and dwarves create a narrative filled with tension. Governing this world are several powerful kingdoms and empires, including the Northern Realms of Temeria, Redania, and Kaedwen, along with the sprawling Nilfgaardian Empire to the south, all grappling for power or simply striving for survival amid the chaos of war, magic, and fate.
Central to this gripping saga is Geralt of Rivia, a solitary mutant designated as a witcher—a professional monster-hunter earning his living by confronting fearsome beasts that others will not challenge. The plot thickens as he intertwines with Yennefer of Vengerberg, a potent sorceress, and Cirilla ‘Ciri’ of Cintra, a young princess with extraordinary abilities and a destiny that promises to redefine the fabric of the Continent. Their journeys, initially separate, eventually converge amidst kingdoms ravaged by war, powerful magical orders, and a wilderness teeming with danger, weaving a complex tale of power, choice, and fate.
Hungary's Representative Locations in the Series
Thanks to Sapkowski’s Central European roots, the universe presented in The Witcher is rich with allusions to this region. The series’ producers have thoughtfully retained many of these nuances, showcasing various Central European sites throughout its seasons. In Seasons 1 through 3, viewers were treated to breathtaking views of iconic locations, such as Poland’s Ogrodzieniec Castle ruins, Austria’s Burg Kreuzenstein, Slovenia’s Predjama Castle and Nanos Plateau, and Croatia’s picturesque island of Krk.
Hungary, too, has made its mark in the series, with several locations depicted as significant sites from The Witcher’s lore. For instance, the 19th-century Fort Monostor serves as the stunning exterior view of Cintra's castle, while the idyllic rolling hills of Csákberény, located in Fejér County, were utilized for intense battle sequences like the Battle of Marnadal. Additionally, the charming Szentendre Skanzen Village stood in for Yennefer’s quaint hometown, and Budapest’s stunning Vajdahunyad Castle provided the interiors for the dwelling of the wizard Stregobor, bringing those fantastical elements to life.
Zoltan Chivay and the Borsodi Brothers
The most pronounced reference to Hungary officially made its debut in Season 4 through the character of Zoltan Chivay. Portrayed by Danny Woodburn, Zoltan is a dwarf hailing from Mahakam, and he becomes one of Geralt’s steadfast companions during this season. His character, with the unmistakably Hungarian name 'Zoltan'—a traditional name in Hungary derived from the Turkish word meaning 'sultan'—captures audiences' attention. Meanwhile, his surname, 'Chivay', echoes Hungarian phonetics, and one could easily perceive it as 'Csivay'.
Delving deeper into Zoltan’s character reveals deeper connections to Hungarian traditions. As a seasoned warrior from Mahakam, Zoltan embodies loyalty, frankness, and a strong sense of ethics—traits that resonate profoundly with the Hungarian ideal of the honvéd soldier, a patriotic figure revered in Hungary's history. His love for music, storytelling, and wine encapsulates the joyful essence of Hungarian tavern life, where friendship and humor serve as comforting shields amid adversity. Moreover, his unwavering moral principles and disdain for pretense echo the archetype seen in Hungarian literature, often typified by the honest, straightforward common man depicted in works by writers like Mór Jókai and Géza Gárdonyi.
Additionally, although not part of the original books or the Netflix adaptation, the video game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt—Hearts of Stone expansion provides another nod to Hungarian culture through the characters Horst and Ewald Borsodi. These brothers, who find themselves locked in a power struggle over the esteemed Borsodi Auction House in Oxenfurt, were created by CD Projekt Red and do not appear in Sapkowski’s novels. Their surname, Borsodi, evidently recalls a region in northern Hungary, known as Borsod, which still resonates today as the name of a famous brand of Hungarian beer.
