Ruins Hanušovce nad Topľou

On the northwestern edge of the Slanské vrchy, which are overgrown with fragrant forest flowers, dense bushes, and massive trees, you can find an interesting place. It is the Hrad Šebeš castle, also known as Šebešský hrad. Today, only ruins remain of it. Upon closer inspection of the map, you will find that it cadastrally belongs to the territory of the village of Podhradík, located in the Prešov district.

When visiting the castle, park your car in the parking lot of the village of Podhradík directly below the castle. From this free parking lot, an educational trail will lead you directly to the castle. The route is easy and accessible on foot throughout the entire year. On 5 information panels, you can learn more about the history of the castle between 1315 and 1528, archaeological research, the restoration of the castle, stone witnesses, as well as the downfall of the castle. This educational trail is used for local history field trips by schools or by tourists who want to enjoy magnificent views of the village and its surrounding pristine nature.

The castle stands at an altitude of 529 m a.s.l. The site has been declared a national cultural monument and an archaeological site featuring a castle from the 13th century. The castle can be found on a hill above the village, the name of which recalls the location of the Podhradie fort. In the past, the castle was built on an 8 m wide and 60 m long steep spur. The attentive eye of a visitor will not miss its foundations built of stone. A circular tower once stood on the edge of the western side. In the eastern part, there was a residential palace along with a defensive wall above the entrance to the castle. There was also a ditch and a rampart fortification.

When exploring the history of this castle, historical sources mention the year 1315. In a deed of donation by King Charles Robert, the territory along with the castle was granted to Thomas's son, Knight Synko. After the demise of this family line, the castle was donated to the city of Košice. The castle permanently ceased to exist in 1550, when the inhabitants of the city of Prešov burned it down. Only ruins remained, which local residents still visit today for recreational purposes.

If you would like to explore other historical monuments of this region, you can subsequently head to Zbojnícky hrad in the village of Ruská Nová Ves. On summer days, you can refresh yourself at the Vodná nádrž Sigord reservoir. In Prešov, in addition to the salt production museum in Solivar, you can look at the stars in the glowing sky at the Hvezdáreň a planetárium. A session in the Soľná jaskyňa salt cave also has excellent effects on the body. After a walk through the historical center and a visit to the Konkatedrála sv. Mikuláša, you can treat yourself to an excellent cup of coffee.

Are you asking yourself how to manage it all? To avoid being under time pressure and rushing through all the attractions, we recommend booking accommodation near Hrad Šebeš. It is great to have a complete offer of accommodation facilities in the village of Podhradík within reach. You can choose from cozy cottages and chalets or affordable private accommodations in Podhradík. We will be happy to help you choose the best accommodation in Slovakia.

It could be said that Slovakia is a country of castles and chateaux. However, many of them have been gnawed by the teeth of time, while others were destroyed by hostile armies. Hrad Bodoň, which was built as a defense fort on the western slopes of Slanské vrchy, did not withstand the rampage of Tatar troops either. The first written mention of the fortress dates back to 1285, and as you correctly assume, it bears its name after the Bodoň hill, on which only its remains are located today. The castle ceased to exist in 1299, meaning that it fulfilled its defense function for only a single decade.

The fortress was built on a rocky elevation at an altitude of 855 meters above sea level. Its founder was the nobleman Budun of Ploské. The top of the rock cliff has a square floor plan measuring 52 x 50 meters and formed the living area of the castle. This was protected around the perimeter by boundary walls. In the highest part of the plateau, a circular stone tower with an outer diameter of up to 8 meters was located on the northern side. It is assumed that wooden dwellings and farm buildings stood behind the ramparts.

You can reach the ruins from the village of Abranovce as well as Zlatá Baňa. If you have decided to use the second, easier option, a yellow-marked hiking trail approximately 4 km long will lead you to the castle. The path from Abranovce is somewhat more demanding, but all the more interesting. Approximately one-third of the way up, you will come across a strange natural formation, the so-called Raslavkameň. Several legends are tied to it. The most famous one tells of a young knight from Hrad Bodoň who, against his mother's will, used to meet a commoner girl from Prešov. To prevent soldiers from tracking him down, he shod his horse's horseshoes backward. However, his mother found out and cursed Raslav. He turned to stone on the spot. Locals believe that healing energy radiates from the stone. Whether the stone has magical power is something you must see for yourself.

After a short ascent, you will reach a plateau dominated by a huge rock cliff. Today, the traces of the castle consist only of the remnants of the stone tower and castle fortifications. On the forest clearing below the castle, there are benches where you can rest. For a three-hour trip, in addition to a sufficient amount of water, do not forget to pack sausages and bacon. At the resting area, you will find a large fire pit, which is perfect for a family barbecue.

On the way back from the fort, stop by the unique 4-meter wooden megaphone. Sit inside and enjoy the amplified sounds echoing from the forest. After a demanding hike, treat yourself to a rest in a cozy room of a pleasant guest house. You can view the entire offer of accommodation near Hrad Bodoň on our page accommodation in Zlatá Baňa. The following day, take a trip to the nearby village of Červenica and discover the mysterious underground world of the oldest opal mines in the world. Opals from the Slovenské opálové bane are known for their intense play of colors and are highly valued on world markets for their unique properties. End your stay in the Prešovský kraj region by splashing around in the pools of the summer lido Plaza Beach Solivar. A great alternative during bad weather is the covered Aquapark Delňa Prešov.

Mesto Prešov and its surroundings are traditionally associated with salt mining. Therefore, you may also know Zbojnícky hrad under the name Soľný hrad or Soľnohrad. Its remnants are located in the extravilan of the village of Ruská Nová Ves, in the Prešov district. The castle hill is a part of the Slanské vrchy. The castle stood on the western foothills of the Tri chotáre peak, on the summit of a steep cliff named Zámek. The educational trail called Vodná cesta na Soľnohrad will lead you to the masonry remnants of individual segments of the castle complex.

An old wooden castle stood on the Zámek hill as early as the 9th century. A stone Zbojnícky hrad was built in its place 400 years later. Juraj Bokša had it built, and its primary function was the protection of valuable salt springs in the surroundings. During its existence, the castle complex repeatedly changed owners. It belonged to the Šóš family the longest. Due to disputes over salt, the castle was destroyed in the 16th century by an army from the nearby Šarišský hrad. Historical sources remain silent about the subsequent decades. The fortress is mentioned again only in 1715, when it was demolished based on a resolution of the regional assembly.

Today, you can see the remnants of the perimeter walls of the upper castle, the remains of the palace, half of a square tower, the remnants of the stone perimeter fortification, and the tower of the lower castle on the castle hill. The castle hill has steep cliffs on three sides, which formed a natural defense for the fortification. From the side where the access road led, the castle was protected by a 13 m wide moat. Its remnants up to a depth of 3 meters have been preserved to this day. Preserved terrain traces clearly indicate the original construction of the castle. The rocky plateau simultaneously forms a natural viewpoint, providing a gorgeous view of the panorama of the wide surroundings.

The castle ruin is a popular trip destination for tourists. You can reach the castle hill via the undemanding educational trail Vodná cesta, which leads directly from the village of Ruská Nová Ves. You can manage the entire route in approximately 30 minutes. The remnants of the castle are partially overgrown with vegetation. With inattention, you can easily overlook some parts or mistake them for rocks. Therefore, set aside enough time for your trip. In addition to the atmosphere of ancient history, you will also enjoy the gorgeous natural environment and unique views.

You can combine a trip to the remnants of the castle, which once protected the wealth of this region, with a visit to the Plaza Beach Solivar water park in Prešov or with relaxation at the Delňa aquapark. Be sure not to miss a tour of the Prešov observatory and planetarium and a sightseeing tour of the town's monuments. Entering the Soľná jaskyňa or taking a walk along the local Calvary will certainly also be a unique experience. The attractions of this region are truly diverse. We therefore recommend that you search for accommodation near Zbojnícky hrad and plan an interesting sightseeing stay. Accommodation in Prešov will certainly not disappoint you with its offer of holiday facilities.