Ruins Nováky

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.

The ruins of the Uhrovec castle rank among the best-preserved in Slovakia. They are located on a castle hill above the village of Uhrovec. This craft town with market rights is the famous birthplace of such prominent personalities as Ľudovít Štúr and Alexander Dubček. The castle, which has guarded this charming town for centuries, stands on an outcrop of the Nitrické vrchy hills, part of the Strážovské vrchy mountain range, at an altitude of 591 m above sea level.

You can reach the castle from the village of Uhrovské Podhradie. Park your car in the former quarry above the village. From there, follow the trail to the information board. Turn right behind it. Afterwards, you have the option to choose either the steeper green trail or the more comfortable blue-marked hiking trail. Depending on which one you choose, the walk will take you 40 to 60 minutes. The total elevation gain of the trail is 276 m.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, you will find relatively well-preserved castle ruins. The layout has a triangular shape with corner bastions rising at the corners. One of them was triangular, the second was prismatic, and the third was a donjon type. The latter is a residential tower that served as the final refuge for the castle garrison during a siege. The Late Romanesque chapel with an emporium is also remarkably well-preserved and unique in Slovakia. Originally a Late Gothic palace, it underwent extensive Renaissance renovations. It fulfilled a defensive function mainly during the Turkish raids. In the 18th century, it was destroyed by fire. As the nobility preferred living in the more comfortable manor house in the village, the castle slowly fell into ruin. Today, efforts are underway for its conservation and partial reconstruction.

The origin of the castle is historically dated to the second half of the 13th century. Its construction was brought about by the wealthy Trenčín ispán (župan) Báša. However, the first written record of its existence, stating that Matúš Čák Trenčiansky exchanged land in Tekov for the Uhrovec castle, dates back to 1295. He owned the castle until his death in 1321. Subsequent owners included his successor King Charles Robert, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Stibor of Beckov, and Albert of Habsburg. In the 15th century, the castle was owned by the Pongrác family, who are associated with money counterfeiting. The last prominent noble family associated with the castle for two centuries was the Zay family.

Two legends are tied to the castle. One originates from the period of the Turkish raids. It mentions that the lady of the castle at the time mortally wounded the commander of a Turkish troop with an arrow from her bow while he was bathing in the stream below the castle. When his companions saw this, they panicked and galloped away. They were stunned by the accuracy and power of a woman's shot and imagined what would happen once the men started shooting. And what is the second legend about? You will find out from the information board during your visit to the castle.

After ascending to the castle, you have several options for how to spend your time. On hot summer days, you might enjoy a refreshing swim or fishing at the Prusy water reservoir or the Termálne kúpalisko Pažiť thermal pool near Bánovce nad Bebravou. You can enjoy a view of a sky full of mysteries at the Hvezdáreň Partizánske observatory. You also have the option to visit the reconstructed manor house in Šimonovany. The region offers many cultural attractions, but especially various thermal pools, such as the Termálne kúpalisko Malé Bielice or Termálne kúpalisko Chalmová, which are definitely worth a visit.

Tired from hiking and thermal waters, you will certainly appreciate the accommodation options offered by our providers, so book your accommodation near the Uhrovec castle. We recommend cozy Uhrovec apartments, as well as romantic cottages and cabins. Which choice you prefer is entirely up to you. You will experience unique moments everywhere.