The name of the Byckche family has been known since 1258 when some members got a large donation of land from the king. According to a document dating from 1306, Botond's sons János (John) and Péter were granted permission to levy tolls in the locality of Bicske. From 1596 onward, Bicske belonged to the
Ottoman Empire. Count Ádám
Batthyány bought the land in 1642. The Batthyány family built a castle in 1754–1755, and made it their residence. The Batthyány family also built an
observatory and a little castle (
Hegyi-kastély) for the
astronomers. During the Batthyány era, the village, which had been destroyed by the
Turks, became a prosperous town. From 1688 to 1877, it was the chief town of the district. A
Jewish community developed in Bicske during the 18th century; most of its members were associated with the Neolog or
Reform Judaism movement. They built a
synagogue and a school, which was open to both Christian and Jewish students. By the 19th century Bicske was a well-developed market town and cultural centre. From 1877 to 1946 it belonged to the district of Vál. After
World War I, an era known as the "
White Terror," lasting from 1919 - 1921, saw the Jewish community of Bicske under attack by Christians, as homes were looted and citizens were murdered. In 1947 Bicske became independent. There were 12,000 inhabitants in 1986. ==Main sights==