Ruins Bzenica

You can find the ruins of the Gothic Hrad Revište castle on a steep andesite hill, on the right bank of the Hron river, in the Revištské Podzámčie district of Žarnovica. It was built at the same time as Šášovský hrad, which is located on the opposite bank of the river. Their significance lay in protecting a narrow pass through which a trade route led to the central Slovak mining towns.

The fortress is first mentioned in 1265, and later, in 1331, as a royal castle. It was built at a strategically advantageous location and joined the system of watch castles along the Hron river. During its existence, like other castles in Slovakia, it passed through many owners. Their shared history is very closely linked, even regarding the castle lords. In 1647, after the extinction of the Dóczy family line, this fortified residence, along with the adjacent villages, once again became royal property.

During the uprising of Imrich Thököly, it was ransacked and damaged, but was repaired shortly thereafter. However, it is not known how its ultimate downfall occurred. The last surviving accounts from 1701 mention the cleaning of the castle chimneys. It is clear that during the first phase of Rákóczi's uprising, the castle definitively lost its defensive function and began to fall into ruin. The end of this fortified residence is confirmed by a detailed description of the Revište estate from 1801. The document states that it was the original seat of the landowners, but had not been inhabited for more than a hundred years.

Originally, it consisted of an inner fortified tower and a courtyard with a Gothic palace. The entrance from the lower to the upper courtyard was protected by a circular bastion. From the southern side, a rampart wall connected to the tower, defining a narrow longitudinal courtyard. Part of the courtyard was also a cistern, which has been preserved to this day.

Since 2012, the yellow-marked Náučný chodník Majitelia hradu Revište leads to the ruins directly from the Pod Hradom restaurant. At a brisk walk, the ascent will take you no more than 30 minutes. From the castle hill, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the entire Hron valley, the town of Žiar nad Hronom, and the Štiavnické vrchy. The castle grounds come alive especially during the summer, when various festivities take place, such as the Strašidelná noc hradov a zrúcanín, Rozprávková cesta, or the children's Spartan race King Race.

Also interesting is the legend of the beautiful Selima and the castle lord. Selima was the daughter of the main Turkish captain stationed at Levický hrad. One day, she planned an escape with her beloved, and this fortress became their hiding place. When the Turk found out, he challenged the castle lord to a duel. On the fateful day, a strange figure in knight's armor appeared before the Turkish captain. He did not hesitate and drew his sword. When the knight fell dead to the ground, he discovered that beneath the knight's attire was his beloved daughter Selima, who wanted to save the castle lord from certain death. Unable to bear his deed, the Turk took his own life as well.

A sweet conclusion to a lovely day in nature can be a stop at the nearby Zveropark. After a day full of discovery, relax and stay at the Žarnovická chalúpka. You can browse the full range of accommodation options near Hrad Revište on our accommodation in Žarnovica page.

The surroundings of Žarnovica hide many great attractions worth seeing. A summer vacation without swimming would hardly be a vacation at all. Take your family to the Kúpalisko Žarnovica pool and enjoy the sunshine by the water. We also recommend the popular Vodný raj Vyhne, which is open year-round.

Hrad Šášov castle stands atop a massive rock formation on the left bank of the river, in the outer area of the Štiavnické vrchy mountains, directly above the valley of the Hron river. You will find it in the district of Žiar nad Hronom – Šášovské Podhradie. Many legends revolve around its origins. One of them tells of the unprecedented heroism of the court jester Ladislav. The lord of Zvolenský hrad castle got lost deep in the forest during a hunting trip. Suddenly, a enraged she-bear appeared before him and bit him in the back. Seeing this, the jester did not hesitate, used his agility, and struck the bear in the head with an axe. Touched by his bravery, the nobleman promised out of gratitude to build him a castle on that very spot. Soon, a fortress bearing the name of his savior's profession stood on Orlia skala rock.

The castle is first mentioned in a document from 1253. It was most likely built by the brothers Vincent and Peter Vanch. Around 1306, Matúš Čák Trenčiansky seized it, and after his death, it passed through the hands of many different owners. Among the most famous were King Matej Korvín, the Archbishop of Eger Urban Dóczy, and the Hungarian prefect Gašpar Lippay.

A major turning point came in 1677, when it was captured and plundered during the Thököly Uprising. The subsequent destruction was completed in 1708 by imperial troops. From that time on, it lost its defensive function, remained abandoned, and began to fall into ruin. Gunfire during World War II in 1945 also caused difficult times when part of a retreating German army unit set up position in the castle tower.

Šášovský hrad castle was built on the Pohronská hradná cesta (Pohronie Castle Route) and was meant to serve as a defensive and watch fortress. Originally, it consisted of a Gothic palace, residential and farm buildings, a chapel, a water cistern, defensive towers, and, by all accounts, had two outer baileys. Two fortified courtyards protected the Gothic-Renaissance upper castle, and a round bastion guarded the entrance to the palace.

To this day, perimeter walls several meters high have been preserved. The best-preserved parts are the remains of the upper castle, the Gothic palace, and the triangular tower. In 2015, the remains of a bread oven of unusual dimensions were found here, indicating the presence of a castle bakery. Since 2003, conservation and restoration work has been underway to preserve the remains for future generations.

A green-marked hiking trail leads directly from the village to the ruins. The ascent takes about 20 minutes, and the gently sloping terrain can easily be handled by children. From the castle rock, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Hron river and the entire valley of Šášovské Podhradie.

If you have planned your hike to the ruins on a hot summer day, head straight from your walk to the refreshing pools of Plážové kúpalisko Žiar nad Hronom. Another interesting place worth visiting is Krajská hvezdáreň a planetárium Maximiliána Hella, where you have a unique opportunity to see our galaxy up close.

An adrenaline adventure in the form of riding Monster scooters awaits you in the nearby village of Lehôtka pod Brehmi. If you wish to continue exploring this beautiful region, book accommodation in the vicinity of Šášovský hrad castle. Accommodation in Žiar nad Hronom includes charming cottages and cabins as well as comfortably furnished guesthouses. It is entirely up to you what appeals to your heart most. We wish you a pleasant and peaceful stay.

In the district of Banská Štiavnica, the highest peak of Štiavnické vrchy, the Sitno peak, is the dominant feature. Right on it, you can find the ruins of the famous Sitno castle, which provided defense against enemies. Visit the village of Ilija, into whose cadastral area Sitniansky hrad falls.

The history of Sitno castle dates back to the 13th century, when it was established as a fortified hillfort on this peak. Three centuries later, a gate with a defensive function was added. The castle consisted of two parts: the upper castle palace and the lower castle. This castle was not lacking a courtyard, a water cistern, or loopholes either. Unfortunately, in the 18th century, estate uprisings definitively destroyed the castle, leaving only a ruin.

During its era of greatest prosperity, the castle was besieged in 1548 by royal troops. At that time, it was seized by the robber knight Melichar Balassa. Less than a hundred years later, the castle passed into the permanent care of the Koháry family. They remained the owners of the castle until its destruction. After 1710, at the end of the anti-Habsburg uprisings, the castle served as a source of building material for Rozhľadňa na Sitne and Kaštieľ vo Svätom Antone.

If you are intrigued by the history of the castle and remember various legends, one tells the tale of the fate of two brothers, the knights of Sitno. The older one received the entire estate from his father on his deathbed; the younger one was not happy with this and built his own castle on Malé Sitno. There may be some truth to these legends shrouded in mystery about Sitno castle.

You can reach Sitno castle by car from the village of Ilija. Following the green hiking trail (an asphalt path through Vlčia jama), the ascent is less demanding, though it takes longer. A path also leads to the castle from Počúvadlianske jazero, also along the green trail past cottages through the forest. After a while, you will reach Tatárska lúka with an educational trail, from where you can take the blue trail directly to the castle.

Along with visiting the castle, it is a great idea to plan an ascent to the Sitno peak. It is also possible to complete it on horseback. A horse, along with a professional guide, can be rented for you at Ranč Nádej in Svätý Anton. You can travel back into history at Kaštieľ vo Svätom Antone. If you come as a family with children, it is a good idea to book accommodation near Sitno castle in advance. In the village of Ilija, there is a choice of several guest houses or private accommodations in Ilija. We believe that you will fully enjoy your time conquering this attraction, also thanks to pleasant accommodation in Slovakia.

Did you know that in the Pohronie region, you can plan a trip to Hrad Nová Baňa – Zámčisko together with your significant other or children? Visit roughly 10 km west of Nová Baňa above the settlement of Stará Huta and Bukovina, where this archaeological ruin, also called Zámčisko, is located.

Just pass the Drozdovo bus stop in the village of Stará Huta just a few meters along the road and reach the local water reservoir. From here, follow the green trail towards Veľký Inovec on a hike, where after 500 m you turn left off the trail and continue through a dense forest to the top of the hill to your destination. The route can be managed by seniors, families with children, and couples in love who want to treat themselves to a little time for each other.

You will be able to admire a 430 m long earthen rampart here, which was part of the protective system of the hillfort. Although the terrain is undulating and rugged, thanks to it, the hillfort was a shelter for local residents during times of wars, raids, and other unrest. This hillfort was located on an important communication route that led from upper Požitie to middle Pohronie. The castle in Nová Baňa was built around the 11th century. In addition to the mentioned perimeter wall, it also consisted of watchtowers from which you can observe dry-stacked stones while walking.

You will conquer the steep hill in less than 20 minutes. The location is freely accessible, and do not expect any fees or other restrictions here. You might be tempted by the idea of how people could have lived here once and had to hide from various dangers. If you are brave and not afraid to stay here to observe the beauty of the surrounding nature, feel free to pitch a tent near the walls and stay overnight. A sky dotted with stars can bring you a beautiful fairy-tale atmosphere. Not really your type? Then book accommodation near Hrad Nová Baňa – Zámčisko.

The Pohronie region also offers other points of interest that are worth seeing with your own eyes. As part of the attractions of Nová Baňa, you can cool your heated bodies in Tajch. It is a local lake that is sought after mainly by a group of vacationers craving water. A trip connected with water is possible to the Starohutský vodopád, which is one of the most massive and most beautiful waterfalls in the locality. You can entertain children with horseback riding at the Jaderecký areál sv. Františka.

Perhaps you don't have acquaintances on hand, and perhaps even more distant family won't offer you lodging. We therefore recommend booking accommodation near Nová Baňa. Our warm accommodation providers will gladly rent you their cottages and chalets in Nová Baňa. Or will you rather choose some from the offer of Nová Baňa apartments? You can find the complete offer of accommodation facilities on our portal.

On the forested Hrádok hill, which rises above the village of Tekovská Breznica in the Žarnovica district, you will find the ruins of Breznický hrad castle. From the 13th century, it served a guard function on the western edge of Štiavnické vrchy. Set out along the hiking trail directly from the village for approximately 1.5 km and enjoy the far-reaching views that Hrad Breznica has to offer.

The castle remembers a lot in its history. It experienced several pillages and was conquered by almost all lords who set their minds to it, including Matúš Čák Trenčiansky and Matej Korvín. After being conquered by Turkish forces, the castle was occupied by robber knights and gradually fell into ruin starting in the 18th century. However, the view that greets you after climbing to the ruins is well worth it. You can see all the way to the monastery in Hronský Beňadik or the town of Nová Baňa. In the vicinity of Breznický hrad, you will also find the remains of two structures, namely Hrádok na Sokolej skale and the Strážna veža watchtower at the Pustý hrad site. Legend has it that after dark, the ruins and their surroundings are haunted by a cursed maiden who, according to folklore, was a traitress and helped facilitate an enemy attack on the castle.

You can also enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature in the stredné Pohronie region by visiting Starohutský vodopád waterfall in Nová Baňa, in the Stará Huta area, or enjoy relaxation, peace, and sunshine by the Tajch water reservoir. Tajch, whose surroundings are framed by the Pohronský Inovec mountain range, is a great place for swimming in the summer and for ice skating in the event of a freezing winter. So, if you visit stredné Pohronie in the winter, do not miss the nearby Ski centrum Drozdovo in the village of Veľká Lehota.

Haven't you visited this beautiful region yet? Simply choose from our offer of accommodation near Breznický hrad castle and find the right date. Book a picturesque cottage or wooden house in Tekovská Breznica, or find comfort and convenience in one of the guesthouses on offer. Whether you are going on a trip with children or friends, we believe you will enjoy your time together.

If you love history and are drawn to the unknown, visit the village of Podhradie, near Lehota pod Vtáčnikom not far from Prievidza, and discover the remains of Hrad Sivý Kameň. It was built around 1330 by two brothers – Mikuláš and Ján – castellans from the nearby Bojnický zámok castle. As you have probably guessed, they named the castle after the color of its building material, which was based on gray stone ("sivý kameň").

The construction of the castle was necessitated by the conditions that arose after the death of the oligarch Matúš Čák Trenčiansky in 1321. Since there was no other castle in the area besides Bojnický zámok, the need arose to build another administrative center. During its existence, it belonged to many families. In 1430, it returned to the hands of King Sigismund of Luxembourg, who a year later, as a token of respect for merits in battle against the Turks, gave it to Gregor Majthényi.

The end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century was an era of disasters for this fortified residence. In 1524 it burned down, and two years later, in the Battle of Mohács, Gregor Majthényi's grandson, Bartolomej, fell into Turkish captivity. The ransom, as well as the repair of damaged parts, drained the family financially. To make matters worse, in the early 1540s the castle was plundered by the robber knights Ján and Rafael Podmanický and later by the Transylvanian prince Gabriel Bethlen.

The severely damaged fortress lost its defensive and strategic importance, and the landowners moved their estate to Nováky. Only a prison for offenders and a warehouse remained here. During the uprising of Francis II Rákóczi, when Kuruc troops fought against the Imperial forces in Horná Nitra, it was completely destroyed. The work of destruction was completed by the residents of Podhradie, who used it as building material.

A marked path will lead you to the castle hill directly from the village. The entire ascent will take you about 15 minutes at an easy pace. The modest remains of the castle now only indicate its original size. From the top of the andesite cliff, you will enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the entire village of Podhradie as well as Partizánske. In 1973, the castle was declared a National Cultural Monument.

The beautiful surrounding nature with its numerous rock formations provides plenty of opportunities for hiking and cycling. After this easy walk, head straight to the Rybníky & GRILL recreational and relaxation area, located in the nearby village of Sebedražie. In addition to excellent grilled trout, a 30-meter-long shipwreck and a unique crayfish farm await you here.

One day will certainly not be enough to get to know the Hornonitrianske region. Therefore, book your accommodation near the ruins of Hrad Sivý Kameň right now and plan your activities in the surrounding area. Accommodation in Podhradie offers a rich selection of cottages and chalets, as well as comfortably furnished guesthouses. If you want to visit the ruins in the winter season, you can look forward to great skiing at the Cigeľ Priedavky - Šabľová ski resort.