Ipolydamásd
Archeological excavations found artifacts from both the Iron Age and Turkish times. It was first mentioned as a royal land under the name of Damas in 1262.
In 1523, King Lajos II requisitioned the inventory of the Bakócz Chapel in the Cathedral of Esztergom and gave the fortress of Damásd in return, to the parish priests. The fortress filled in an important role as an outpost in the Turkish times in the Hungarian fortress system.
The fortress had 33 cavalry and 75 infantry. Members of the cavalry were mainly messengers and their role helped the timely reconnaissance of possible Turkish attacks against mining villages and the organization of defence of these villages.
In 1646, the last captain of the fortress was László Berchényi, who carelessly left the fortress to his deputy. The Turks skulking around the fortress noticed this and signaled to the army.
When the soldiers and members of the tax authority from the court saw the Turks crossing the Ipoly, they immediately surrendered, thus the Turks conquered the fortress without fight. (The tax authority was based at Damásd since Vác, their previous post, was taken in 1626. Their role at Damás was to tax people selling cattle to Vienna, Italy or Germany.)
Not only the fortress, but also the village itself, was parched by the Turks. The inhabitants of the village moved to land at the feet of the ruinous Zuvár, close to Nosztra and lived there until 1804. Then they moved back to the Ipoly and founded what is today known as Ipolydamásd. General Görgey and his army were encamped on the field of the Ipoly on their way to Vác, and he issued his commands to his troops from a building next to today's Restaurant.
Traditions
The only remaining custom is that of the Carnival. Villagers renew customs well-known from the 19th century, which is a spectacular pageant. People in masquerade walk through the village, dancing and singing, on the last Saturday before Ash Wednesday. In 1990, the neighbouring Slovakian village, Helemba joined the pageant. Participants are given eggs, salami, drink and money which they all consume together on Shrove Tuesday.
Sights
The church in the fortress was destroyed and so was the wooden church in Ódamásd. When the people of Ódamásd moved back to the Ipoly, the Luczenbacher family of Szob built the present church in 1861.
László Tóth's beautiful artworks can be seen on display in his home. He specializes in shoeing and sculpturing eggs and wood carving.
The castle of Zámkó can be visited but due to its neglected state, it is difficult to acces. Other sights include the watermill of the Petyerák family on the road to Márianosztra, or the remnants of the fortress of Zuvár.
Facilities
Campers are welcome on the field next to the Ipoly, where anglers always stay during weekends. There are two springs nearby. The village has two cafes and two small shops where angler licences can also be purchased.
