Ruins Pavlovce (okres Vranov 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.

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.