Converting castles to cities and vice versa?

[Atterdagen]

Hello. I've recently (yesterday) started playing Medieval II, so I'm very new to the game. My economy isn't going well, and I'm stuck with almost only castles - also those lying well behind my borders, safe from any attacks - besides a large town which I've conquered.

Yes! It probably is a stupid question, but I've searched and searched for an answer with no luck. So I'd appreciate if anyone could guide me in converting castles to cities!

[PapaRosario]

Click on the button within the building construction choices to convert the castle to a city or vice versa. You cannot convert level 1 castles. Only level 2 and higher. Also, you cannot convert anything past a level 2 town. Once it gets to level 3 (Stone Wall) it is no longer convertible.

[Atterdagen]

I've got a fortress and still the "building contruction tab" is empty, leaving me no choice to convert it to a city.

[Lord of Cats]

I've got a fortress and still the "building contruction tab" is empty, leaving me no choice to convert it to a city.

That isn't right. No matter what time period the game is in the option to "convert castel to city" should appear in the construction tab of fortresses and citadels as a building to build. Maybe ask in the technical help thread? And yeah (if you fix this problem) if you are having economic difficulties, then having more cities than castles is good. Cities provide trade buildings and more taxes. By the late game anyway most of your best units will come from city barracks and foundries. That's to reflect the historical urbanization growth of Europe during the Renaissance.

[Maklodes]

It does cost 3200 florins to convert a fortress to a minor city.

[PapaRosario]

Not sure what to tell you. A fortress should convert to a level 3 city. I don't know if it might have gotten changed in a patch or something. What patch do you have?

[Atterdagen]

It's steam, so it should be the latest.