Castles Malé Karpaty

There are numerous castle ruins located in Slovakia. However, castles that still look today exactly as they did centuries ago are considerably fewer. If you want to catch a glimpse into the lives of the wealthiest people in the past and see how they lived and resided, you have a unique opportunity. Hrad Červený Kameň castle is extraordinarily well-preserved and still looks today exactly as it did centuries ago.

You will find the castle in the Malé Karpaty mountains. It lies near the town of Modra, known not only for its beautiful and rare ceramics, but also for traditional winemaking. You can reach it from the village of Častá or from the small village of Píla. Access to the castle is also suitable for the elderly and children. You can park or take a bus all the way up directly in front of the castle.

The history of the castle dates back to the first half of the 13th century. It was built by the Bohemian queen widow, Constance of Hungary. Later, the castle became a royal castle and formed an important defense line of the border zone. It stretched from Bratislava, through the entire Považie region, up to Žilina. The castle passed through the hands of several prominent families. It was ruled by Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, as well as the Zápoľský and Turzo families.

The new history of Hrad Červený Kameň began in 1535. The castle was acquired by one of the richest European families, the Fugger family. They embarked on a major reconstruction. They wanted to turn the castle into a defensive fortress to store goods. This merchant family began demolishing the castle while simultaneously constructing new parts. The present-day appearance of the castle originates precisely from this period. Four massive defensive bastions served to protect the fortress, and residential buildings were gradually added. The dominant feature is a huge residential wing. The castle turned into a modern and comfortable trading fortress with an excellent commercial location near Vienna.

The political situation was worsening, and the risk of Turkish and Tatar invasions was becoming increasingly acute. The Fugger family ultimately decided to sell the castle, and the Pálffy family became the buyers. They owned the castle from 1588 until 1945. A few years later, the castle was declared state cultural property. Today, you will find beautiful exhibitions of furniture, carpets, and traditional martial arts here. The largest carpet at the castle covers more than 44 square meters. The local library holds an incredible 14,312 books, and if you wanted to line them up in a single row, it would be almost 300 meters long. The castle is full of superlatives and former luxury, which you can see with your own eyes.

The Malé Karpaty are popular among tourists not only thanks to their beautiful nature. One of the greatest attractions is precisely Hrad Červený Kameň. You can find accommodation directly below the castle, in the village of Častá. There are numerous private accommodations and homestay options in family houses. If you are looking for the hustle and bustle of the town, choose accommodation in Modra. There are many hotels and guesthouses in the town, some even with their own wine cellar, which wine lovers in particular will appreciate. Come and discover the beauties of the Malé Karpaty as well.

Bratislavský hrad, proudly towering over the Dunaj river, is considered one of our national symbols. Visiting our capital city should be a duty for everyone, and the castle is no exception. However, its past was not always rosy.

The castle lies on the castle hill, which is considered the southernmost spur of the Malé Karpaty mountain range. Located here was an important strategic point, a ford, thanks to which the castle gained good connections with the other bank of the Dunaj.

The first inhabitants were likely dwelling on the castle hill as early as 4,500 years ago, although this could not be proven. Stone structures stood on the castle hill during the 9th century. There was even a brick basilica standing here. However, we only encounter the castle in the year 907, when it bore the name Pressalauspruch. The downfall of Great Moravia occurred, and the castle became an important border castle.

Bratislavský hrad was subjected to fierce raids by the Tatars. It resisted them in 1241. Despite the castle's success, the king at the time, Belo IV, decided to improve the existing fortification. He focused mainly on strengthening the western side of the castle, from where he expected the most raids. A large residential tower and a defensive tower, today known as Korunovačná veža, were built.

The castle underwent several major changes; one of the largest began during the reign of Žigmund Luxemburský, who came to power in 1387. The reason was the threatening risk of Hussite raids. A new two-story palace was built.

When Bratislava became the center of the entire country, it was necessary to renovate the castle again. This took place in the years 1552–1560. The castle received two new wings, and its interior spaces were also renovated.

Perhaps you cannot imagine it today, but for long centuries, the castle had only two floors and two towers. The castle began acquiring its current contours during the reign of the Pálffy family, when the third floor and the remaining two towers were built between 1635 and 1639. The golden age of the castle continued during the reign of Mária Terézia, but after her death in 1780, the castle gradually declined. It was no longer needed and became a seminary. Among others, Anton Bernolák and Juraj Fándly studied here. Neither did this seminary last long. In 1802, the castle was acquired by the army, which converted it into barracks. In 1811, a terrible fire engulfed the castle, turning it into a ruin. Subsequently, the castle lay in ruins for many years and received a dignified reconstruction only after 1953. It underwent its most recent reconstruction only recently, and there is no longer any sign or trace of its dark past.

In conclusion, an interesting fact. Do you think the castle has a square shape? Many people think so, but it is not true. The reality is that each castle wall has a different length. The walls measure 85.20 meters, 85.17 meters, 77.15 meters, and the last one measures less than 60 meters. Their width is also different. Treat yourself to a visit to the castle; in addition to the permanent exhibition of the Slovenské národné múzeum, this national symbol offers an unforgettable view of Staré Mesto, Petržalka, as well as the deep waters of the Dunaj.

It is most ideal to stay near the castle in Staré Mesto. You will find luxury hotels or stylish guesthouses here. Cheaper accommodation is offered by the outskirts of the city, where there is no shortage of private rooms and apartments for rent. Bratislava has dozens of beautiful places, and the very first one you should visit is Bratislavský hrad.

Almost every castle is associated with ancient legends that often inspire terror. One of the terrifying stories that you surely know is about Elizabeth Báthory. Her home was none other than Čachtický hrad. You no longer need to be afraid of the deceased ruler of the castle; only a beautiful view and walls breathing with history await you.

Čachtický hrad is located above the village of Čachtice of the same name. You will find it very easily. It is located at the foot of Malé Karpaty, between the towns of Nové Mesto nad Váhom and Piešťany. The Považie region is notoriously known for its high concentration of castles. These were intended to protect not only trade routes, but also the Kingdom of Hungary from attacks from the west. Čachtický hrad was located right on the imaginary front line. It was built in 1260, but the castle hill was inhabited much earlier.

The castle recorded its first major event shortly after its construction. As early as 1273, it had to face a massive attack by the Czech King Ottokar II. Many castles fell victim to his troops, but Čachtický hrad, although with heavy losses, resisted.

Later, the castle belonged to several rulers, undoubtedly the most famous being Matúš Čák Trenčiansky. After his death, King Sigismund took over the baton, gifting it to his devoted adjutant Stibor of Stiboricz. He owned up to 15 castles and was rightly called the "Lord of all Považie." The most famous castle he owned was Beckov.

From 1569, the Nádasdy family came to rule the castle. After the death of Tamás Nádasdy, it was controlled by his wife, who wanted to get rid of the castle. Pre-emptive rights to the castle were used by her son Ferenc Nádasdy. Although the Čachtice estate belonged to him, death awaited him two years later, and so the rule over the castle was entrusted to his wife, the legendary Elizabeth Báthory. Elizabeth married when she was only 15 years old, and it is very likely that she suffered from psychological problems. Her condition was not helped by separation from her husband, who was almost constantly at war. Solitude was responsible for the rise of sadism in the famous countess. It is rumored that a maid once pulled her hair while combing it. The enraged countess struck the maid so hard that she wounded her until she bled. The maid's blood fell on Báthory's face, and she felt as if she had rejuvenated. She began killing young girls en masse for their blood, which allegedly made her younger. She likely deprived 690 girls of their lives and tortured many of them. These practices became suspicious over time, and so on January 2, 1611, she stood trial. Her punishment was life imprisonment under house arrest, where she died in the summer of 1614. Her remains are allegedly buried in one of the castle walls.

The castle did not face a very rosy future. In 1708, the castle was conquered by the troops of Francis II Rákóczi and served only as a prison until 1799, when it burned down. Since then, it has been abandoned and falling into ruin. It underwent several reconstructions, the latest of which was scheduled to end in 2014. A visit to the castle is certainly interesting, especially if you want to see a rugged medieval military fortress. Čachtický hrad was a combat fortress, and romantic architectural whims had no place here. After the reconstruction, some parts will even be roofed, so you will see Čachtický hrad in a completely new outfit.

To enjoy the castle sufficiently, you can stay in close proximity. Directly below its walls lie the villages of Čachtice and Višňové. Both offer plenty of private rooms and family houses for rent, so you will be able to wake up with the silhouette of the castle behind your windows. If you are looking for a busier life, you will definitely like Nové Mesto nad Váhom. Hotels, guesthouses, or tourist hostels guaranteeing a cheap holiday are available here. Look at the beauties of Považie with perspective from Čachtický hrad.