In a relatively small country - hospitable Slovakia, 170 ancient castles await you, and each of them is unique in its own way. These are restored palaces with interesting expositions, such as Bratislava Castle, and majestic ruins among impenetrable forests - Sulov, Grichev, Shashev. Many of the castles are under the protection of UNESCO, including the famous Spis castle.
Every self-respecting castle (and in Slovakia, if you still don’t know - only such) is simply obliged to have its own ghost. Well, every self-respecting ghost (and in Slovak castles ... well, you understand) must certainly have a creepy, dramatic story, if possible - with elements of romance and unhappy love. Therefore, a rare tourist will arrive from Slovakia without two or three variations of the tragic and romantic story of the "White Lady". For example, the castle of Moszowce is haunted by the ghost of a countess who was married against her will and died of grief after the execution of her lover. And her colleague from the castle, Devin, was at one time the daughter of its owner - a girl of exceptional beauty, withered from lack of exercise and fresh air in the tower, where her own dad imprisoned her in order to hide her from numerous applicants for a hand and heart.

Banska Bystrica

Banská Bystrica is a city fortress in Banská Bystrica.
The fortress arose around the Romanesque church of St. Mary in the 15th century. Around there were fortifications with bastions and new buildings. Currently, there are several museums in the area of ​​the fortress.





Betskov
Beckov (Slovak. Beckov, Hung. Blundus, Bolondos), a castle near the New Place-nad-Vahom.


Between Novy Mesto nad Vah and Trencin:
The castle was first mentioned in a 12th century chronicle. In the 13th century, a stone castle was built on the site of the original wooden castle. In the XIV-XV centuries, the castle was rebuilt by the owners, the Stybor family, one of the most influential families in Hungary. In the 16th century, due to the constant danger of Turkish raids, the fortifications of the castle were strengthened. In the 17th century, the castle lost its significance. In 1727 there was a fire and the castle was abandoned by the owners.
Betliar



Betliar (Slovak Betliar, sometimes Russian Betlyar) is a castle in the Gemer region of Slovakia.




The castle was built by Stefan Andrassy at the beginning of the 18th century on the site of the Renaissance castle of the Bebeki family. In 1880-1886 the castle was rebuilt in the style of a French hunting castle. The castle has many collections: books, paintings and other art objects. The park around is planted with rare species of trees and there is also a remnant of a virgin yew forest.

Bojnicki Castle

Bojnice Castle (Slovak: Bojnický zámok, German: Schloss Weinitz) is a castle in the Slovak city of Bojnice. Today it houses one of the most visited museums in the country.


The castle was first mentioned in 1113 in a document from Zobor Abbey. Initially, it was wooden, but gradually individual elements were replaced with stone ones, and the outer walls were adapted to the surrounding mountainous terrain.

The first owner was Matus Csak, the de facto ruler of all western and central Slovakia. The castle was given to him in 1302 by King Wenceslas III of Hungary. In the 15th century, the castle was in the possession of King Matthias "Corvin" Hunyadi, who, in turn, gave the castle in 1489 for a short time to his illegitimate son Janos Corvin.


Matthias willingly visited Bojnice and issued royal decrees here. He usually dictated them under his favorite lime tree, known today as King Matthias Linden.


After the death of Matthias, the castle passed into the possession of the Zapolya family. The rich Thurzo family from the northern part of the Kingdom of Hungary acquired the castle in 1528 and made numerous alterations. The original fortress was turned into a Renaissance castle. Since 1646, the castle has been in the possession of the Palfi family, who also became the initiator of some transformations of the castle.

After Palfi's death, his heirs in 1939 sold the castle, along with the spa and the surrounding land, to Jan Antonin Bata, the head of the Batya shoe concern.




After 1945, Bata's property was confiscated by the Czechoslovak state, and various state institutions began to be located in the castle. On May 9, 1950, a fire broke out in the castle, causing great damage.


The government allocated funds for the restoration of the Bojnice Castle. After restoration, the castle housed a branch of the Slovak National Museum, specialized in the documentation and presentation of the postmodern architectural style.

In addition, the romantic castle is a popular location for filming fairy tale films, including The Cave of the Golden Rose. In 2006, about 200 thousand people visited Bojnice Castle.

Borsha

Borsha (Slovak: Borša, Hung: Borsi) is a village in eastern Slovakia near Trebišov. Population 1253 (2004). Historically - part of Zemplin. First mentioned in 1221. Ferenc II Rakoczy was born here.
Bratislava Castle


Bratislava Castle (Slovak: Bratislavský hrad) is the central and most important castle in Bratislava, which has been an integral part of the city skyline for many centuries.
The monumental Castle, rebuilt from ruins in the second half of the 20th century, symbolizes more than a thousand years of Slovak history, is located on the southern spur of the Lesser Carpathians, on a cliff above the left bank of the Danube, at a crossroads of international roads. The castle is one of the main dominants of the city, a national cultural monument.


The city is restored from oblivion. The first predecessor of the Bratislava Castle on the castle hill appeared around the time of the appearance of the Egyptian pyramids (2nd half of the 3rd millennium BC). This acropolis became famous during the time of the Celts rather than at the beginning of our era. During the Roman Empire, which bordered on the Danube, there was a Roman border fortification.
The development of the modern Castle can be traced back to the time of the Principality of Nitra, when numerous well-known buildings arose on this site. The oldest written evidence dates back to 907 and is contained in the Salzburg Annals. The remains of a basilica found on the eastern side of the terrace from the 9th century testify to the times of the Principality of Nitra and Great Moravia. The castle is also mentioned in the well-known written evidence of Bratislava dating back to 907.


Gradually, after many reconstructions and alterations, a medieval castle arose from the Slavic princely Castle, which from the middle of the 11th century was also the center of the zhupa. It became the repository of the crown jewels of Hungary, and later - the coronation castle, where the Hungarian kings were crowned.


According to written evidence, in the first quarter of the 13th century, a residential tower with an independent fortification was erected at the highest point of the surroundings, which is still hidden in the mass of the so-called coronation tower. The residential tower was found as a result of archaeological research, it is marked on the modern pavement of the yard. In 1207 (July 7) in the Bratislava castle - the former border fortress of Hungary (now the capital of the Slovak Republic), St. Elizabeth of Hungary was born.

"Bastion Luginsland"
The church and the priesthood were moved to the suburbs in 1221. From there, the history of the feudal center began its independent development.


The modern look of the monumental building took shape during the late Gothic restructuring during the time of King Sigismund of Luxembourg, begun in 1427. The fortifications with a palace, a knight's hall, outbuildings, a chapel and a powerful internal fortification and a ceiling above the internal moat, which were originally of the correct rectangular appearance from above, absorbed the remains of the fortification of the old residential tower.


In 1431-1434 a large two-storey palace was built here. The splendor of late Gothic architecture is indicated by the well-preserved parts of windows, portals and vaults, gradually opening up from under the layers of later reconstructions and well readable in modern design. Sigismund's restructuring followed the centuries-old path of Great Moravian and early Gothic fortifications and supplemented the city with bastions, an entrance gate (named after the king - Sigismund) and a road going southeast to the Danube ford.


The modern location of the Castle, which is a regular quadrangle on top, inside which there is a courtyard, is a consequence of the building trends of the Renaissance and early Baroque.


In contrast to the German-oriented Late Gothic, the construction activities of 1552 and 1639 involved Italian masters who brought the art of their homeland to the Nordic countries.

After perestroika, the Castle became the place of the coronation of the Hungarian kings, whom the Turkish troops expelled from the former center of the Hungarian state - Buda. The changes of those times have come down to us only in fragments: a painted wall, which dates back to the middle of the 16th century, a part of the bay window of the hall on the ground floor, a gilded span of the adjacent hall; but we can still get an idea of ​​the appearance of the interiors of the Castle in that era.

Gate of Leopold
The last major restructuring, which changed the purpose of the Castle from fortification to the location of the Habsburg royal court, took place in 1750-60 according to the designs of well-known European - French, Italian and Austrian - architects Jadot, Pacassi, Martinelli. Soon, in 1760, according to the project of Hildebrandt, another palace was built, the so-called Teresianum, which reflected the greatness of the era.

Nicholas Gate
The new palace housed an art gallery, a library and rich collections of art objects, mainly graphic art. In the late Baroque era, the appearance of the palace completely changed; this applies mainly to the location of the main structural elements, for example, stairs, halls, chapels; all these changes were made in order to lighten the powerful silhouette.


The spacious premises of the fortification, originally intended for manipulation with military equipment and for defense against enemies, were decorated with French gardens, complemented by garden architecture, greenhouses, terraces, aviaries, a summer and winter arena, a stable where valuable breeds of horses with long-term traditions were kept. The concept of rebuilding the territory adjacent to the palace had the goal of placing Bratislava Castle on a par with the best European royal courts.


Despite the disadvantageous and cramped conditions, this goal was achieved with typical Baroque wit, especially on the roads leading the visitor through the gate and the courtyard with rare and valuable trees to the stately halls.


The end of the XVIII century was the time of the decline of Bratislava Castle as the coronation center of the state. After the death of Maria Theresa, Joseph II placed here a training center and a seminary for the Catholic clergy. In those years (1783-90) an important chapter in the history of the Slovak people was being written: a group of educated people was formed, fighting for public education. This movement was led by Anton Bernolak, the first codifier of the Slovak language.


In 1811, the Castle burned down and, despite numerous attempts to improve its condition, it stood in ruins for more than 140 years. Its new history began in 1953, when they began to rescue it and gradually update it. The reconstruction of the Castle took place in 1953-1968 according to the projects of A. Piffle and D. Martinchek. After the renovation, the Castle again acquired the look that it had in the so-called. Teresian era of the late 18th century.

Gate of Sigismund
The ensemble of the Castle is dominated by the mighty building of the palace itself, the silhouette of which is emphasized by the protruding prism of the coronation tower on the southwestern side and the roofs of the tower built over the cornice on three sides. During the time of Sigismund, large windows, stone portals appeared, an expressive element is the Gothic-Renaissance fortification with two bastions, the entrance to which was originally through the gate in two sides of the tower.


Svatopluk I


The Corvin Gate on the south side of the fortification, which led to the city and the bridge, has been fully preserved. The façade and spans are some of the finest examples of late Gothic architecture in Slovakia. During the Renaissance, an interesting part of the fortification appeared with a bastion and the Renaissance, the so-called Leopold Gate; a glazed bay window on the east side of the castle shows the appearance of the building during the Baroque. The south wall, with a light arcade, demonstrates the then Renaissance construction in a modern design.


Theresian Baroque is evident in the façade, adorned with a high row of pilasters and a balcony in front of the representative wing on the ground floor, which optically lighten the heavy bulk of the medieval building.

Royal Palace
At the same time, there is also a change in the design of the Vienna Gate leading to the main entrance to the palace, bordered by two squat buildings and solemn towers, which strengthened the architecture of the courtyard. In the area of ​​​​the Castle there are baroque buildings that stand alone or adjoin the city wall: utility buildings and stables. The preserved foundations of the Great Moravian basilica and palace are part of the park structure, emphasizing the importance of this site for folk history.

The layout of the Gradsky Palace retained elements of Sigismund's Gothic (knight's backside, bay window in the arcade) and Theresian Baroque. The representative functions of the royal baroque palace are characterized by representative architectonic elements, such as the solemn staircases, occupying an entire wing, and the vestibule.


From the Renaissance, only fragments remained in the southeast corner with a rich painting of the vaults and with floral ornaments on the walls of the former bay window. The territory of the first floor serves the representative purposes of the Slovak People's Rada. In the federal hall in October 1968, the law on the Czechoslovak Federation was signed. These ceremonial rooms are decorated with a number of works by prominent contemporary masters of Slovak art.


On the territory of the palace there are expositions of HP SR; as well as the historical and partially archaeological departments of the Slovak National Museum. Historical expositions are exhibited in the Castle, containing valuable exhibits of folk history from antiquity to the present day (including valuable archaeological and numismatic collections), this is a public treasury of folk culture. Historical expositions tell about the development of material and spiritual culture, as well as about the social and political struggle in Slovakia.

Since the time of feudalism, there are unique objects of arts and crafts, documents on the development of cities and the life of the population. Recent history is also richly represented, from the beginning of capitalism to the present day; valuable exhibits of folk art; The largest numismatic collection in Slovakia and the collection of musical instruments also deserve attention.


The archaeological part exhibits valuable primitive finds (the Paleolithic “Venus” from Moravan, a fragment of a Neanderthal skull from Shali, a unique treasure trove of gold jewelry from the Bronze Age from Bartsa, finds from graves in Novye Koshariski, blacksmith and agricultural tools of the Celtic era in Plavetsky Pogradje, monuments from Roman times (valuable glass, silver and other items from Zogor, Vysoka pri Morava and Rusovets.


The jewels of the Slavic-Avar burial in Devinska Novaya Vesi and unique finds from the time of the Great Moravian state are also worthy of attention. The permanent exhibition of archaeological finds is called Treasures of the Old Past of Slovakia. The exposition belongs to the public.


The Hall of Fame is an interesting exposition of the Historical Museum in Bratislava Castle. It is located on the second floor of the City. All the main trophies of Slovak ice hockey are displayed there, including the bronze medal of the 2003 Ice Hockey World Championship.

From the terrace in front of the main facade of the Castle, there is a beautiful view of the largest district of Bratislava - Petrzalka; from the former summer terrace, now a wine cellar (on the site of the former stables) - a view of the Old Town with the adjacent new quarters and the surroundings of the city.
Bratislava, with its position at the foot of the Lesser Carpathians, has great recreational and tourist opportunities. Directly from the center of the city and its districts there are routes, first of all to the Bratislava Forest Park and, past it, to the Lesser Carpathians. 7 kilometers to the northeast is a suburban recreation area - Zlate Peski (a lake suitable for swimming and water sports).
Budatin Castle

Budatinsky Castle (Slovak: Budatínsky hrad), a castle in Žilina.






The castle arose in the second half of the 13th century as a guard on the ford near Vah and Kysuca. In 1551 it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. In the 17th century it was surrounded by a new wall with bastions. In 1745 a baroque chapel was built and a park laid out. Reconstructed in 1922-1923. Currently, the Povazsky Museum is located in the castle.
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Bitchiansky Grad


The original castle was built in the 13th century and belonged to the Bishop of Nitra. In 1563 the castle became the property of Ferenc Thurzo, who in 1571-1574 built a Renaissance castle on the site of an old Gothic castle. Later, the castle belonged to the Esterhazy and Popper families.
. The castle housed the residence of György Thurzo, the palatine of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1609-1616.
. On January 2, 1610, the trial of the henchmen of the mass murderer Countess Elizabeth Bathory took place here.
. One hundred years later, the most famous Slovak robber, Juraj Janoshik, served here.
Budmerice
Budmerice is a castle at the foot of the Lesser Carpathians, east of Modra.
Built in 1889 by the Palffy family in pseudo-Gothic style. In 1945, on the basis of the Benes Decrees, it was nationalized. Currently belongs to the Union of Slovak Writers. A visit to the castle in Budmerice is possible by agreement.
Hlohovec
Hlohovec was first mentioned in 1113 in Zobor Listina as a castle. In 1362 he received city rights. In 1446 the castle was besieged by Jan Iskra's troops.
In the XVI-XVII centuries the city suffered from the raids of the Turks and Kuruts. In 1663 the city was included in the Ottoman Empire, where it remained until 1683.




Humenne


The Renaissance castle-museum in Humenne underwent a large-scale reconstruction under the strict supervision of the authorities for the protection of historical monuments. Glass LPS provided almost all the work related to the lighting of the interior of the castle. Our crystal chandeliers have fulfilled all the requirements of the museum. The director of the museum spared no words of praise for us.






Based on materials from the official sites of castles, Wikimedia.

There are more than 100 castles and fortresses on the territory of Slovakia - from picturesque ruins with more than a thousand years of history to elegant buildings of the last centuries.

The five most famous and interesting castles of the country that we have selected for you

Orava castle

It was this castle of the 13th century that hit the movie screens in the 1920s, thanks to the German director Friedrich Murnau, who shot here the "first Dracula" - the film "Nosferatu - a symphony of horror". Situated on a 112-meter cliff, Orava Castle played the role of the Transylvanian refuge of the vampire Count Orlok. After there were other shootings - in fairy tales of European countries.

Tourists are expected here almost all year round - since 1868, one of the oldest Slovak museums has been operating in the castle, where summer night excursions are held, and in spring and summer - festivals and fairs.

depositphotos (c) phb.cz

Boinice Castle

A romantic story happened to Bojnice Castle 700 years after it first came into being. The Hungarian prince Jan Pálffy, whose family owned the castle since 1646, fell in love with a French aristocrat, but the girl agreed to marry him only if her new home would be similar to the Loire castles she was used to. Palfi was 21 years old - from 1888 to 1909 he rebuilt the Bojnice castle, participating in the process personally - but the girl did not wait for the prince and married another, and Palfi died a bachelor.

Film fairy tales were also filmed here - for example, the notorious Italian TV series "Fantaghiro".

depositphotos (c) milosk50

Devin Castle

The most famous and picturesque castle ruins in Slovakia is Devin Castle on the banks of the Danube, blown up by the Napoleonic army in 1809. More than a millennium ago, Devin was part of the Roman border fortifications - Limes Romanus, and later defended Great Moravia.

Then the castle was owned by the Hungarian magnates Bathory, from whose family came "the most massive serial killer in history", Elizabeth Bathory. There are versions according to which the countess did not kill young virgins at all, but suffered as the head of the Protestants of Western Hungary.

Bratislava castle

Bratislava Castle is the main element of the urban panorama of the Slovak capital. The original version of the castle arose during the time of the Egyptian pyramids, in the second half of the 3rd millennium BC. Since the 11th century AD, the crown jewels of the Hungarian kings have been kept here and their coronations have been held. Then followed centuries of rebuilding, greatness alternated with decline, until in 1811 the castle burned down. Bratislava Castle spent the next 140 years in ruins.

In the 1950s, the revival of the castle began. After the restoration, it acquired the form that it had in the 18th century, during its heyday under the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the famous Empress Maria Theresa.

Slavic settlements appeared here only a few centuries later. By decree of one of the princes, a city was built on the ruins of a Roman fortress, the name of which, Devin, was first mentioned in the annals of 864.

During its long existence, the castle changed owners several times, gradually turning into a mighty fortress. But, like many military installations, Devin lost its strategic value and gradually began to fall into poverty. Napoleonic troops finally allowed the castle. In the first half of the 19th century, during the heyday of Slovak nationalism, there was a revival of Devin. It was made a point of patriotic pilgrimages.

But the castle was not always open to visitors. During the Soviet era in Slovakia, excursions here were undesirable. The fact is that the castle is too close to the border of Austria and one Slovak calmly flew to it on a hang glider, jumping off the wall.

Today, the castle has again become popular for country walks, as it was restored a few years ago. The greatest attention of tourists is attracted by the remains of the Roman fortress and the historical exposition in the reconstructed palace wing. At the foot of the castle, there is a wine-growing village of the same name, in which several restaurants, cellars and pubs are open.

Beckov Castle

Beckov Castle, located in the village of the same name in Slovakia, currently represents the ruins of one of the most beautiful castles in the country. Its history began in the 13th century, when there was a wooden fortress on this site, built as a strategic post to protect the country's borders. In the 14th century, the castle belonged to King Sigismund's adviser, the aristocrat Shtibor. Under him, a stone fortress in the Gothic style was built. On the territory of the castle there was a chapel, the main decoration of which was the sculpture of the Black Madonna. The next owner of Banfi received the castle in the 15th century and rebuilt it in the Renaissance style. After his death, the castle was turned into a prison and barracks.

A terrible fire in 1729 destroyed the interior and roofs of the castle. The then owners did not take up the restoration of the castle, and it gradually turned into ruins. In 1970, the Slovak Ministry of Culture declared Beckov Castle a national cultural monument. The ruins of the castle were reconstructed in the 1990s and are now open to visitors.

A museum has been opened here, which hosts changing exhibitions dedicated to the history of the castle and the area. Various events are held on the territory of the castle: costumed performances, beer and sausage tastings.

Castle - Cherveny Kamen

20 minutes walk - and now you are already standing on a hill in front of a huge building, surrounded around the perimeter, like guards, towers-bastions. The construction of the castle began at the beginning of the 12th century. Until the 17th century, it performed its defensive functions, which eventually ceased to be needed. In other words, in the 17th century the fortress lost its strategic importance, but its owners finally had the opportunity to take care of the interior of the castle. To do this, they even invited Italian artists.

Under the castle are two impressive cellars. Such premises were usually created for the storage of products. However, these cellars were never used for their intended purpose - they kept the red stone from which the castle was made. This explains its name.

Depending on the month, you can visit the following events in the castle: "Craft Fairs", "Festival of Historical Fencing", "Knight's Games".

In spring and summer, the castle hosts an exhibition of birds of prey. Also interesting is the collection of furniture and weapons.

Sights of Bratislava

Slovakia is famous for its beautiful castles. There are more than two hundred of them in the country! We present to your attention 5 castles that are worth visiting in the first place.

Orava castle

Orava castle

10 kilometers north of Kubin, on the right bank of the Orava, a 112-meter limestone cliff crowned with a castle rises. Orava Castle (Oravský hrad), called Árvavár in Hungarian, is the most attractive attraction among the monuments of the region. At the foot of the castle rock is the village of Oravský Podzámok, the oldest village in the region.

Being under the castle, it was never a city, nevertheless, the Podzamok was an important administrative center. Since ancient times, an irregular market has been preserved, the Baroque church named after. St. John of Nepomuk and several Classicist houses from the early 18th century.

The watchtower for the protection of military and trade routes to Poland was erected in 1235. For three hundred years, together with the entire Orava, it belonged to the Hungarian kings.

In the middle of the 16th century, the castle was donated to Francis Thurzo, whose descendants owned it until 1945. In 1800, the building was destroyed by fire, after which it was abandoned for some time.

In 1868 a museum was organized in the lower castle. The last building work was carried out by Józef Palfy at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. After the war, the fortress was repaired (1953-2001), and the entire object was transferred to the Orava Museum.

The visit begins with a steep approach to the gate, beyond which extends the lower courtyard of the castle. It is surrounded by the buildings of the Turzo palace and a chapel with stucco ceilings, in which the Renaissance epitaph of Yuraj Turzo catches the eye.

A little higher is the second courtyard with magnificent buildings of the middle castle, which house the most interesting part of the exposition, in particular, household items, furniture and galleries of portraits of the former owners of Orava Castle. Many exhibits came here from the first 19th century Pálfy Museum in Slovakia.

The ethnographic collection belongs to the newest exhibits. The highest part of the tower, the citadel is the oldest. From the lower castle, 880 steps lead to it. Once upon a time there were only soldiers here, and this is not surprising, because an ordinary mortal's head is spinning at the sight of a narrow terrace located at a height of 100 meters above the river. However, it is worth overcoming fear in order to see with your own eyes the most beautiful panorama that is visible from this place.

Spissky Castle

On a high bare hill above the village (600 meters above sea level) rise the majestic ruins of a powerful castle, the administrative capital of the former Spis - this is the Spis Castle.

The ruins extend over an area of ​​about 4 hectares and are the largest castle complex in Central Europe, as well as an example of the development of military architecture from the 12th to the 17th centuries. Since 1993 they have been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Spis Castle was built in the 12th century. In 1221 it was surrounded by a stone wall. During the Tatar invasion in 1241, the inhabitants of Spis took refuge here. The castle was not captured.

From the end of the 13th century, a powerful tower tapering upwards has been preserved. During the wars and uprisings passing through the town of Spis, the castle was captured twice - in the middle of the 15th century by the Hussite troops of Jan Iskra, and in the 16th century by the troops of Emperor Ferdinand I.

In the future, the owners of the fortress were the aristocratic families Turzo, then Zapolya, after them again Turzo, and from 1639 to 1945 Chaki.

The oldest part of the building is the upper castle with a tower, a Romanesque palace, a chamber and fortifications from the 13th century.

Subsequent Gothic and Romanesque buildings were built by the later zhupans (rulers) of Spis from the Zapolyai, Turzo and Chaka families. During the era of uprisings against the Habsburgs, the castle was abandoned, and in 1780 it burned down.

In addition to the labyrinth of stone corners, you can visit a small historical exhibition. In summer, colorful historical holidays are held here. The greatest attraction, however, is the vast view from the ruins of the surrounding countryside, with the Spiš Chapter to the west, the white cliffs of the Travertina Reserve to the south, and the villages nestled in a green valley.

Red stone

Two kilometers above the village of Kasta, on the outskirts of a huge clearing surrounded by forest, stands a majestic castle - one of the best preserved in Slovakia. The massive building with four solid towers at the corners was built in the 16th century.

Red stone

Since the castle was inhabited by the owners until 1945, it has survived to this day in good condition. In 1970, it was declared a national cultural monument, and after conservation, it became available for visiting inside.

The magnificent, recently renovated interiors of the castle remain in the hands of the Slovak National Museum. The permanent exhibitions include historical furniture and weapons (particularly valuable porcelain and other everyday items), the castle's art galleries and the castle's cellars. The museum collection has recently been expanded with a very attractive Art Nouveau furniture set. The art gallery is dominated by portraits of members of famous aristocratic families in Slovakia.

The greatest features of the castle include the Salla terena from 1656 with an artificial grotto, waterfall and fountain, the severity of which contrasts sharply with the vaults covered with naturalistic bright plaster.

The octagonal castle chapel with colored marble altars is marked by the same luxury of decorations. Particular attention is drawn to the castle pharmacy with originally painted shelves from 1752 and cellars 70 meters long and 9 meters high.

Many cultural celebrations and temporary exhibitions are held on the territory of the castle in the form of knightly tournaments, fencing performances, Renaissance fashion shows, performances for children, etc.

In the immediate vicinity of the castle there is a castle vinotheque (located in one of the towers) and a falconer's yard. There is also the opportunity to ride horses and ponies.

Trencin

Castle in Trencin

The greatest attraction of Trencin, also in terms of dimensions, is the castle, one of the best preserved or most likely the best reconstructed in the country.

A street from the market rises to the fortress, leading directly to the gate (with a ticket office). Next to the towers of the 16th century is the entrance to the lower courtyard with the clock tower and the First Gate.

In the courtyard there is an amphitheater and the famous Well of Love. The legend says that the enamored Omar dug it up within a year in order to redeem his bride, the beautiful Fatima, from the owner of the castle.

The chronicles indicate that the fruitless work (no one got to the bottom of the source) of the Austrian soldiers lasted 42 years, and no more than rainwater accumulates in a 79-meter well. Not far from the Well of Love there are carved horses, which are saddled by both children and adults. A steep road from the Lower Court leads to the third and then to the fourth gate to the Upper Court, surrounded by the oldest buildings of the castle.

The oldest part of the castle is the Romanesque tower, once an element of the Hungarian border fortress, which was built in the 11th century. In the 13th century, it was dismantled by Mateusz Czak.

Chak's heir, King Ludwik of Hungary, built a Gothic fortified palace (today called Ludovit's Palace), and later Sigmunt of Luxembourg added an executive wing with a niche intended for his young wife, Barbara of Celska, whose spirit supposedly lingers in the rooms to this day.

In the 18th century, the interior burned down during a city fire. Over the following centuries, the building was destroyed, and in 1905 the last owner, Iphigenia de Harcourt, transferred the castle to the city.

Today, several expositions are organized in the reconstructed interiors, in particular, an exhibition of portraits of aristocrats from the collections of the former owners of the castle, a collection of old weapons, coats of arms and documents.

Interesting is the exposition of instruments for torture and the exhibition of items found in the famous Well of Love.

Another attractive attraction is the restored Mateusz Tower, from the top of which you can see the panorama of the city and its surroundings. According to legend, Mateusz Czak is buried in this tower with an excellent sword and a suit richly decorated with jewels. However, the entrance to the tomb has not been found to this day.

Bratislava castle

Castle in Bratislava

The panorama of the city is dominated by the quadrangular Bratislava Castle (castle) with four high towers at the corners, also called “upside down table”. It is part of a building towering 85 meters above sea level above the Danube on a castle hill, on which the Celts, Romans and Great Moravians set up their fortresses. Today's building is the result of a thorough reconstruction of 1954-1968.

After the restoration, the castle became the stage for several important historical events, in particular the signing of the federal agreement between the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1968, and 24 years later, on September 1, 1992, the signing of the constitution of the Slovak Republic. Since then, the authorities of the new state have been housed here.

After the elegant buildings of the state administration were built at the foot of the hill, the fortress is assigned to museum and representative purposes. The castle houses two museum collections, a treasury, a winery and an observation post at the top of the Coronation Tower, the tallest and widest of the three.

Most often, tourists come to Slovakia to go skiing or improve their health in a sanatorium. However, many fans of historical beauty come to the country for the sake of architectural impressions: more than 170 castles of the Middle Ages have been preserved here, unfortunately, in a different state. And all the buildings are different: there are luxurious palaces with Renaissance architecture, and gloomy Gothic castles surrounded by parks with a dungeon, and modest cozy cloisters.

In the Slovak city of Bojnice is located Boinice Castle. The building is included in the list of national monuments of culture in Slovakia. At the end of the nineteenth century, it acquired a modern look. Now it houses a popular museum of the country.

The castle was first mentioned in 1113 in the business papers of Zobor Abbey. At first it was a wooden building, but over time, individual elements were replaced with stone ones, and the outer walls were adapted to the mountainous terrain.

The King of Hungary Wenceslas III in 1302 gave the castle to the first owner - Matus Czak, the de facto ruler of western and central Slovakia. In the 15th century, the castle was owned by the Hungarian king Matthias "Korvin" Hunyadi, who in 1489 gave the castle to Janos Korvin, his illegitimate son. Matthias loved to visit Bojnice, to issue royal decrees, sitting under a tree now known as the Linden of King Matthias.

When King Matthias I died, the castle was taken over by the magnate family of Zápolya. In 1528, the Bojnice Castle was acquired by the wealthy Thurzo family. Having undertaken numerous reconstructions, they turned the original fortress into a Renaissance castle.

Further, representatives of the Palfi family were involved in the transformation of the castle, having bought it in 1646. Two centuries later, the overhaul of the Bojnice Castle, which lasted from 1888 to 1909, was personally undertaken by Jan Palffy as an architect and designer. So a modern castle arose, very similar to the French castles of the Loire.

Jan Palfi, a major collector of antique tapestries, sculptures and paintings, was inspired by his personal life for such a reconstruction. Palfi, in love with a Frenchwoman, asked her to marry him. The daughter of an aristocrat agreed, but did not move, since the castle was alien to her. The structure was rebuilt in the French style for 21 years. For such a period of time, the girl managed to get married, and Jan Palfi remained single.

In 1939, Palfi's heirs sold the plot of land, together with the building and the spa, to Jan Antonin Bate, the head of the Baťa shoe concern. The Czechoslovak state already after 1945 confiscated Bati's property. Various government institutions settled in the castle.

A fire that broke out in 1950 caused great damage. Funds for the restoration were allocated by the government of the country. Later, a branch of the Slovak National Museum was located in the Bojnice Castle. In addition, the romantic castle has become a favorite location for filming fairy tale films (“The Cave of the Golden Rose”).

On the eastern outskirts of Kezhmark is Kežmar Castle. The first mentions are found in the documents of 1447, when the garrison of Jan Jiskra was located in the castle. Imrich Zapolsky in 1465 launched the construction of a new late Gothic castle on this site. In the Renaissance style, the castle was reconstructed in 1575. In the 17th century, the building was again rebuilt by Italian architects.

Currently, a museum is open in the castle, visiting only by groups (minimum four people).

Near Rozhnyava, near the village of Krasnogorsk Podgradie, there is Krasno Guorka Castle. It is included in the list of national monuments of culture in Slovakia.

Around 1320, the noble family of Bebeks began the construction of a castle, which was erected on the site of the former Gemer fortress, in which King Bela IV hid from the Mongol-Tatars. The castle rises on a mountain with the same name. Written references date back to 1333.

In the 16th century, the building looked like a Renaissance fortress. The castle in different periods belonged to noble Hungarian families: Mariashi, Bebeki, Andrássy. In 1817 there was a fire. The Andrássy family partially restored it and founded the family museum, which opened in 1906.

According to the agreement of 1920, concluded in Trianon, the castle with the surrounding territories became part of Slovakia. Until 1945, it was owned by the Hungarian aristocratic Andrássy family.

In 1961, Krasna Gorka Castle was given the status of a national cultural monument in Slovakia. In 1992, the restoration of the castle was completed. Notable in the castle are the collection of weapons, the interior of the castle kitchen, the glass coffin of Zofia Seredi.

In 2012, probably due to the burning of dry grass, a large fire broke out. As a result of which the roof burned down, the museum collection suffered. Museum staff saved 90% of the exhibits.

On the northern outskirts of the city of Staraya Lubovna there is a castle Lubovna Castle. Presumably, the castle arose at the end of the thirteenth century on the trade route to Poland as a border guard fortress. In 1280, it was erected by the Polish prince Boleslav, the first documentary mentions date back to 1311.

Among other Spis towns, in 1412-1772 the castle was given to Poland as a pledge for royal debt, legally remaining Hungarian, actually Polish. A great fire in 1553 damaged the building, and in 1555 it began to be restored. In the 17th century, the castle was again rebuilt and enlarged. Currently, the Lubovna Museum is located there, the building is being restored.

In the Banskobystrica region, in the Revutsa region, near the village of Muran, there is Murano castle(or Muran Castle). Geographically, it is located in the Muranska Planina mountain range, in the national park of the same name, on Mount Tsyganka. This is the third highland castle in Slovakia.

The castle was built in 1241 in the Gothic style, it has been mentioned in documents since 1271. Detachments of the Hussites captured the castle in 1430. At the beginning of the 16th century, the owner of the castle was the palatine (high official) of Hungary, the viceroy of the king, magnate Istvan Zápolya. Detachments of raubritters (robbers) repeatedly besieged the castle.

In 1644, Count Ferenc Veshsheleny and his future third wife Maria Czeshki took possession of the castle. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle was rebuilt several times until it finally collapsed in 1760.

Until now, the entrance gates and partially the walls have been well preserved.

In the ancient city of Nitra is located Nitrian Castle- the national cultural heritage of Slovakia. It is located in the Tribeč mountain range at an altitude of 220 m and serves as the seat of the Diocese of Nitra. The sights of the castle complex are the bishop's palace and the basilica of St. Emeram.

At the end of the eighth century, the Principality of Nitra began to form on a hill. The hill was defended on three sides by a river, and this was a very attractive factor for the construction of new fortifications. After the Principality of Nitra was included in Great Moravia, the city of Nitra turned into an important administrative center, and the castle was significantly improved and expanded. The first written mention, dating back to the eleventh century, describes the basilica of St. Emeram.

The castle (by 1241 a fairly strong fortification) successfully resisted the invasion of the Mongols. In the 16th century, the fortress was strengthened from the Turkish invasion. A Renaissance palace and an inner gate were built. In 1663, the Turks nevertheless broke through a strong defense and conquered the castle for a short time.

In the 18th century, the bishop's palace and the upper church were built. Fortifications, superstructures, various reconstructions over the centuries have significantly changed the original appearance of the castle. The best-preserved basilica of Emeram (13th century), partially the walls of the castle, the upper Gothic church (14th century), the inner gate of the castle (16th century).

Lock Orava castle located above Orava, on a cliff 112 m high, near the village of Oravski Podzamok near Dolny Kubin. It is included in the list of national cultural monuments of Slovakia.

In the 13th century, the castle was founded on the site of a dilapidated wooden fortification. Construction was completed in the 17th century. In 1370 it was recognized as the Žup (district) castle of Orava. A palace was erected on the territory of the castle in the 17th century. During a fire in 1800, the castle burned down, and was later rebuilt.

After the completion of a complete reconstruction in 1953-1968, the Orava Museum exposition is located in the castle. For tourists, the castle is open all year, except for January - March. Scenes from the early Dracula movie were filmed here.

In the Štiavnické Vrhiv mountain range (central Slovakia), on the eastern Sitnyansky castle. In the 13th century it was a fortress that protected from Tatar raids. The first written references date back to 1548 after the royal troops took the castle from the owner of the robber baron Melikher Balash. After reconstruction and significant strengthening in 1548-1552, the castle turned into an important element of the defensive system against the Turkish threat.

In 1629, the castle was the residence of the noble family of Kohari. In 1703, during the anti-Habsburg uprising of Ferenc Rakoczy, the castle buildings were captured by the rebel troops and completely destroyed.

At the Spis Podgradie, fifteen kilometers from the town of Levochka, there is the historical center of the Spis region, the largest castle in the country - Spissky Castle. It belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in the list of national cultural monuments of Slovakia.

The castle rises on a tuff mountain 634 meters high above the sea, the distance to the foot is about two hundred meters. In different parts of the castle walls have a height of 20-40 meters. Therefore, the castle was impregnable for enemies.

In these places, archaeologists have unearthed the site of the Bukovogorsk culture. The settlement of the Pukhovskaya culture belongs to the Iron Age. It rose above a rocky massif surrounded by an earthen rampart on a stone frame. In the second century, such a solid settlement was already abandoned. In the fifth-sixth centuries, the Slavs came and settled in the neighborhood on Mount Drevenik.

Tenth-thirteenth centuries, local wars shook the Kingdom of Hungary. Spis Castle began to be built on the top of the mountain, on the site of the Celtic ashes in the eleventh century. The stone tower (11-12 centuries) became the center of the fortification complex. For that time, it was huge: in the center of the column with a diameter of 3.4 meters. Wooden beams were inserted into special grooves in the column, in this way the tower was divided into several floors. In the 13th century, the tower collapsed due to weak earthquakes and has not survived to this day.

The first mention of the Spis Castle dates back to 1209, at that time it was already the property of the Hungarian Crown. At the beginning of the century, it was rebuilt and supplemented with a new donjon and a Romanesque palace. The attack of the Mongols of Batu in 1241 was successfully repulsed by the castle garrison.

Upon his return from Austria, King Béla IV in 1242 reconstructed the Spiš Castle. Only the foundations of the palace and the church have survived to this day. In the 13th century, during the possession of the castle by Elisabeth of Cuman, Italian architects strengthened the defenses of the Spis Castle. In 1312, the famous Matush Chak tried to capture the castle buildings, but everything was unsuccessful.

In 1443 the castle was taken over by Jan Iskra, who added the Lower Castle to the Spiš Castle. The castle in 1464 went to the magnate Zapolya family. Representatives of a wealthy family erected many new buildings. Janos Zápolyai, the future Hungarian king, was born in Spis Castle.

From 1531 to 1635, the Thurzo merchant family became the owners of the castle (they traded copper throughout Europe). Aleksey Turzo bought several castles from the Crown. He closed the Romanesque gates, built new bastions, punched loopholes in the walls.

The Čak family's long-standing wish came true in 1638, when the Spiš Castle came to them. The owners left the castle at the beginning of the eighteenth century. A terrible fire in 1780 turned it into ruins. After World War II, the authorities of the Czechoslovak Republic confiscated Spissky Castle from the Hungarian clan Chak. The fortifications are currently being restored.

Almost all castles in Slovakia house museums that preserve the history of the people from feudal fragmentation to the nineteenth century.