Ruins Dolný Zemplín

If you are also among the lovers of history and cultural monuments, you cannot miss a visit to the ancient Hrad Csonkavár in Kráľovský Chlmec during your visit to the Zemplín region. This small town is located almost on the southeastern border of Slovakia at an altitude of 130 m above sea level, at the foot of Chlmecké vrchy, approximately 30 km south of Trebišov.

The castle was created by rebuilding a manorial stronghold in 1526. The original medieval stone structure was likely not even fortified with walls to fulfill a defensive function. The building was initially two stories high and served as a kind of predecessor to a manorial manor house – a stronghold. Nowadays, you can admire only partially preserved cellar spaces and frail remnants of castle walls with vaults, small windows, and corners of the structure built from hewn tuff blocks. The castle has been in this state for centuries, and perhaps that is why it received the name Csonkavár, which translated from Hungarian means Castle of Ruins.

Interestingly, the castle was among the shortest-lived castles in the territory of Slovakia and the entire Kingdom of Hungary. In its original form, it stood for only 22 years. In 1548, King Ferdinand I had it demolished. Only a few written mentions of the castle have been preserved, which is why its history is shrouded in a veil of mystery. In the 18th century, descendants of Palatine Juraj Turzo had a manor house built in Chlmec, which stands here to this day.

You can reach the castle either on foot or directly by car. We recommend this option only to visitors with reduced mobility, as there is not much space for parking on the relatively steep castle hill. A tour of these ruins is accessible year-round and free of charge. If you are lucky, you can also visit a cultural event at the nearby municipal amphitheater.

You can continue your tour of the region with a visit to the stone castle in Veľký Kamenec or the castle manor house of F. Rákoczi II in the village of Borša. Lovers of beautiful views will appreciate the ascent to the Rozhľadňa Tokaj lookout tower in Malá Tŕňa. And while you are in this renowned region, be sure not to miss a wine tasting in a Tokaj cellar. After that, simply direct your steps to accommodation near Hrad Kráľovský Chlmec – Csonkavár.

Energized by good wine and in high spirits from the atmosphere of Tokaj cellars carved into tuff rock, you will certainly appreciate not having to travel home. You can choose from several accommodation facilities. Apartments in Kráľovský Chlmec are popular, offering plenty of privacy, as is private accommodation. Thanks to stories from our local accommodation providers, you will learn even more interesting facts. You can find the complete offer of lodging options on our portal.

In the village of Podhoroď in the Sobrance district, there is a castle ruin from the 13th century. Above the former quarry, you will find the easternmost castle ruin in Slovakia. Tibavský hrad is also one of the smallest castles we have. Come and explore the castle ruins and surroundings from a height of 405 m a. s. l.

In addition to the ruin, the castle hill is home to the Podhorodský hradný vrch nature monument, which was declared as early as 1986. It protects a morphologically prominent cliff rich in vegetation growing on a limestone bedrock. During archaeological research, various ceramic objects and fragments from the 13th and 14th centuries were found in the ruin area.

However, already in the 14th century, the castle is mentioned in written sources as abandoned and desolate. At the very beginning of the 18th century, it was destroyed. The castle originally had an oval layout and a round tower was part of the structure. From it, you can see the preserved stone staircase and vaults. The existence of the courtyard is indicated by a wall and its remains.

We can reach the castle directly from the village of Podhoroď. From the meadow above the village, we continue along a forest path with a steeper climb. Although the climb is more demanding, it does not take long. You can reach the ruins of Hrad Tibava in about 10 minutes.

An interesting fact is that near the castle, approximately 4 km away, you will find another ruin. Tibavský hrad in Choňkovce dates back to approximately the 15th century. Unfortunately, neither of the castles has a preserved sufficient written history, and their close existence remains unexplained.

If you visit Zemplín, do not miss the icon of this region. The Zemplínska Šírava water reservoir is an ideal place for relaxation and peace. Enjoy the sun rays, water, or attractions. Try some of the water sports and spend an active day in a well-known location. Book your accommodation near Hrad Tibava and get to know the beautiful Zemplín.