Ruins Hermanovce nad Topľou

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.

From a once monumental structure, today only terrain traces, excavations, ramparts, and moats remain. We are talking about Lipovecký hrad – Lipovec castle. In its time, it towered above the Kostoliansky potok, which currently forms the border between Mudrovce and Kecerovský Lipovec in the Košice – okolie district. Its remains still attract tourists, history lovers, and castle ruins enthusiasts today. If you long to follow in the footsteps of old noble families, set off on an adventurous expedition to the castle hill yourself.

The first written mentions of the castle date back to 1282. It has been proven that it was built in the 13th century by the Aba noble family (Abovci), who owned it until the beginning of the 15th century. Subsequently, the property changed owners several times and was destroyed by unknown means in the 16th century. In 1585, it is already mentioned as a ruin in written records. However, some buildings survived, which were devastated only after Rákóczi's War of Independence (Rákociovské povstanie) in the 18th century.

The original construction of the castle was secured on three sides by a moat and a rampart, while the fourth side was strategically protected by a natural steep cliff above the stream. The castle actually stood on the summit plateau of a longitudinal rock. An extensive fortification ran along its edge, and a high tower dominated the entire structure in the middle. The castle included palace buildings with a courtyard and a bridge leading across the moat to the entrance gate. The entire complex was built of stone, but bricks were also found here, which probably date from a later reconstruction.

The existence of the castle, which remains a symbol of the village of Kecerovský Lipovec to this day, is currently evidenced only by terrain traces and masonry remains. In addition to the ravages of time and the influence of nature, lay explorers and treasure hunters also contributed to its demise. Nevertheless, the castle hill remains an attractive tourist destination. In its terrain, the original access road to the castle, castle ramparts, and moats are still visible today. Traces of the palace and minor remains of masonry and bricks have also been preserved. The easiest access to the castle hill leads from the village of Mudrovce. By car, you can get to the forest road below the castle. A relatively steep climb awaits you, so we recommend bypassing the castle hill from the rear side.

You can combine an interesting trip to the remains of Lipovecký hrad with a visit to other attractive trip destinations in the nearby surroundings. Head, for example, to the cold Herliansky gejzír geyser or descend into the underground of the Slovenské opálové bane opal mines. Look at the surroundings from a bird's-eye view from the Rozhľadňa Čerešenka lookout tower or from the back of a majestic horse at the Jazdecká škola Kráľovce riding school. The possibilities in this region are truly diverse.

If an itinerary full of unforgettable experiences appeals to you, start looking for accommodation near Lipovecký hrad – Lipovec castle right now. Capacity fills up quickly during the holiday season. You can bet on accommodation in Kecerovský Lipovec and its immediate surroundings, or choose from a wide range of accommodation in Košice. Local accommodation facilities are guaranteed to meet your expectations and desires.

In terms of the number of medieval castles, Slovakia ranks among the leading countries in Europe. One such castle is Hrad Čičva (also known as Čičava) in the village of Sedliská. It is located on Mernícka pahorkatina, which is part of Beskydské predhorie, above the local area of Podčičva. The castle is now just a ruin, but it is well worth planning a trip to visit it.

You can reach Hrad Čičva, which stands at an altitude of 205 m above sea level, directly from the village. The walk from the bus stop to the castle hill takes approximately 10 minutes. Motorized visitors have a parking lot available right below the castle. Due to the easy nature of the route, this attraction in Sedliská is accessible to all age groups. Wandering through the castle ruins, the romantic setting, and the beautiful views will be appreciated not only by history enthusiasts, but also by younger generations.

The castle is first mentioned in a deed of donation from King Stephen V dating back to 1270, which the monarch granted to the nobleman Raynold along with the surrounding estate. The castle protected an important trade route above the pass known as Porta Polonica (Polish Gate), leading from south to north. The core of the castle consisted of a trapezoid-shaped inner area on the castle hill, which was built in the 15th century by the owners at the time, the Rozgonyi family. The complex was surrounded by a stone wall. Opposite the core, near the entrance gate, stood a palace. The most remarkable feature of the castle is the bergfried. This tongue-twister of a term was used to describe the main round castle tower, which mostly served as the last refuge for the castle's defenders. It is rarely found in the architecture of Slovak castles.

The castle was built in the Romanesque-Gothic style. During its history, an outer bailey was added, followed later by an artillery bastion. An interesting fact is that in 1523, the castle became the property of the "bloody countess" Elizabeth Báthory, who married her husband Ferenc Nádasdy in 1573 in nearby Vranov. In 1610, their daughter Catherine received the castle as a dowry. In 1711, the castle fell into the hands of Imperial General János Pálffy without a fight. His successor, General Lanken, ordered its demolition. It has been a ruin ever since.

After visiting this fascinating place, it is worth moving on to nearby Vranov nad Topľou, where the remarkable sacred monument Bazilika narodenia Panny Márie is well worth your attention. On hot summer days, a refreshing dip at Kúpalisko Vranov nad Topľou will surely hit the spot. If you are one of those who enjoy viewing the world from horseback, you can visit Ranč Sahiba. Adrenaline enthusiasts might enjoy driving fast go-karts at the T1 Ring go-kart track in Vranov nad Topľou.

The region offers a wide array of attractions and options for unique day trips. You will surely fall in love with it and get to know it better if you stay here for a few days. In that case, you will be happy to relax with our hosts, who offer various types of accommodation facilities. Right in Sedliská, you can book perfect accommodation near Hrad Čičva. Or perhaps apartments in the village center will charm you more? You might be intrigued by castle legends told by our hosts during dinner at private accommodation in Sedliská. You can find the offer of our accommodation facilities on the portal MegaUbytovanie.sk.