Ruins Prestavlky

You can find the ruins of the Gothic Hrad Revište castle on a steep andesite hill, on the right bank of the Hron river, in the Revištské Podzámčie district of Žarnovica. It was built at the same time as Šášovský hrad, which is located on the opposite bank of the river. Their significance lay in protecting a narrow pass through which a trade route led to the central Slovak mining towns.

The fortress is first mentioned in 1265, and later, in 1331, as a royal castle. It was built at a strategically advantageous location and joined the system of watch castles along the Hron river. During its existence, like other castles in Slovakia, it passed through many owners. Their shared history is very closely linked, even regarding the castle lords. In 1647, after the extinction of the Dóczy family line, this fortified residence, along with the adjacent villages, once again became royal property.

During the uprising of Imrich Thököly, it was ransacked and damaged, but was repaired shortly thereafter. However, it is not known how its ultimate downfall occurred. The last surviving accounts from 1701 mention the cleaning of the castle chimneys. It is clear that during the first phase of Rákóczi's uprising, the castle definitively lost its defensive function and began to fall into ruin. The end of this fortified residence is confirmed by a detailed description of the Revište estate from 1801. The document states that it was the original seat of the landowners, but had not been inhabited for more than a hundred years.

Originally, it consisted of an inner fortified tower and a courtyard with a Gothic palace. The entrance from the lower to the upper courtyard was protected by a circular bastion. From the southern side, a rampart wall connected to the tower, defining a narrow longitudinal courtyard. Part of the courtyard was also a cistern, which has been preserved to this day.

Since 2012, the yellow-marked Náučný chodník Majitelia hradu Revište leads to the ruins directly from the Pod Hradom restaurant. At a brisk walk, the ascent will take you no more than 30 minutes. From the castle hill, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the entire Hron valley, the town of Žiar nad Hronom, and the Štiavnické vrchy. The castle grounds come alive especially during the summer, when various festivities take place, such as the Strašidelná noc hradov a zrúcanín, Rozprávková cesta, or the children's Spartan race King Race.

Also interesting is the legend of the beautiful Selima and the castle lord. Selima was the daughter of the main Turkish captain stationed at Levický hrad. One day, she planned an escape with her beloved, and this fortress became their hiding place. When the Turk found out, he challenged the castle lord to a duel. On the fateful day, a strange figure in knight's armor appeared before the Turkish captain. He did not hesitate and drew his sword. When the knight fell dead to the ground, he discovered that beneath the knight's attire was his beloved daughter Selima, who wanted to save the castle lord from certain death. Unable to bear his deed, the Turk took his own life as well.

A sweet conclusion to a lovely day in nature can be a stop at the nearby Zveropark. After a day full of discovery, relax and stay at the Žarnovická chalúpka. You can browse the full range of accommodation options near Hrad Revište on our accommodation in Žarnovica page.

The surroundings of Žarnovica hide many great attractions worth seeing. A summer vacation without swimming would hardly be a vacation at all. Take your family to the Kúpalisko Žarnovica pool and enjoy the sunshine by the water. We also recommend the popular Vodný raj Vyhne, which is open year-round.

Hrad Šášov castle stands atop a massive rock formation on the left bank of the river, in the outer area of the Štiavnické vrchy mountains, directly above the valley of the Hron river. You will find it in the district of Žiar nad Hronom – Šášovské Podhradie. Many legends revolve around its origins. One of them tells of the unprecedented heroism of the court jester Ladislav. The lord of Zvolenský hrad castle got lost deep in the forest during a hunting trip. Suddenly, a enraged she-bear appeared before him and bit him in the back. Seeing this, the jester did not hesitate, used his agility, and struck the bear in the head with an axe. Touched by his bravery, the nobleman promised out of gratitude to build him a castle on that very spot. Soon, a fortress bearing the name of his savior's profession stood on Orlia skala rock.

The castle is first mentioned in a document from 1253. It was most likely built by the brothers Vincent and Peter Vanch. Around 1306, Matúš Čák Trenčiansky seized it, and after his death, it passed through the hands of many different owners. Among the most famous were King Matej Korvín, the Archbishop of Eger Urban Dóczy, and the Hungarian prefect Gašpar Lippay.

A major turning point came in 1677, when it was captured and plundered during the Thököly Uprising. The subsequent destruction was completed in 1708 by imperial troops. From that time on, it lost its defensive function, remained abandoned, and began to fall into ruin. Gunfire during World War II in 1945 also caused difficult times when part of a retreating German army unit set up position in the castle tower.

Šášovský hrad castle was built on the Pohronská hradná cesta (Pohronie Castle Route) and was meant to serve as a defensive and watch fortress. Originally, it consisted of a Gothic palace, residential and farm buildings, a chapel, a water cistern, defensive towers, and, by all accounts, had two outer baileys. Two fortified courtyards protected the Gothic-Renaissance upper castle, and a round bastion guarded the entrance to the palace.

To this day, perimeter walls several meters high have been preserved. The best-preserved parts are the remains of the upper castle, the Gothic palace, and the triangular tower. In 2015, the remains of a bread oven of unusual dimensions were found here, indicating the presence of a castle bakery. Since 2003, conservation and restoration work has been underway to preserve the remains for future generations.

A green-marked hiking trail leads directly from the village to the ruins. The ascent takes about 20 minutes, and the gently sloping terrain can easily be handled by children. From the castle rock, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Hron river and the entire valley of Šášovské Podhradie.

If you have planned your hike to the ruins on a hot summer day, head straight from your walk to the refreshing pools of Plážové kúpalisko Žiar nad Hronom. Another interesting place worth visiting is Krajská hvezdáreň a planetárium Maximiliána Hella, where you have a unique opportunity to see our galaxy up close.

An adrenaline adventure in the form of riding Monster scooters awaits you in the nearby village of Lehôtka pod Brehmi. If you wish to continue exploring this beautiful region, book accommodation in the vicinity of Šášovský hrad castle. Accommodation in Žiar nad Hronom includes charming cottages and cabins as well as comfortably furnished guesthouses. It is entirely up to you what appeals to your heart most. We wish you a pleasant and peaceful stay.

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.