Castles Severné Slovensko

Together we will head to the north of Slovakia, to a region that was plagued by hunger and poverty for many centuries. The difficult serf life, in contrast with breathtaking nature, continues to amaze tourists to this day. The hard, cold, and rugged Orava shows off its beauty. One of the greatest is undoubtedly Oravský hrad.

Oravský hrad definitely cannot be overlooked. It proudly towers on a majestic rocky cliff, thanks to which it is not only clearly visible, but also enjoys a great strategic location. Judge for yourself: for enemies in the High Middle Ages, it was surely almost impossible to conquer the 112-meter steep cliff.

If you think the castle is located near the famous Oravská priehrada, you are mistaken. You will find it a bit further south, by the village of Oravský Podzámok. An important trade route once passed through here. A stone successor was built on the site of a wooden fort. It is first mentioned in the year 1267. King Belo IV. exchanged it for Žilina, Varín, and Sučany, making it a royal castle. The castle passed through the hands of many owners and nobles. The most prominent family in its history is undoubtedly the Thurzovci. The first of them, František I. Thurzo, bought it in 1556. Later, the family had no male successor, leaving only 7 women. They chose a single administrator and thus maintained control over the property. It was thanks to the Thurzovci that Oravský hrad acquired the appearance it has today through reconstructions. The fortification was modified and reinforced between 1556 and 1621.

Even Oravský hrad could not avoid disaster in the form of a fire. It was engulfed in flames in the exact year of 1800. It was likely caused by a single spark that flew out of a chimney and set the entire roof ablaze. The first essential repairs took place only a century later, lasting from 1906 to 1912. During World War II, German troops settled at the castle, setting up a military observation post in the complex. More extensive reconstruction occurred between 1953 and 1968.

What can you see today at the castle above the Orava river? The castle premises house the exposition of Oravské múzeum. The most significant is its historical section, the castle itself. Its beauty has even enchanted filmmakers from all over the world. Many of you certainly know that the movieThomas the Falconer was filmed at the castle, but we have one more interesting fact. Footage for the cult 1922 film Nosferatu also comes from Oravský hrad. Part of the museum is also an ethnographic exposition focusing on the traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants of Orava, with an emphasis on the most typical craft, pastoral sheep farming. Finally, you will find an interesting natural science exposition showcasing the fauna and flora of Orava.

The most ideal option will be to stay directly below the castle cliff in Oravský Podzámok. Very affordable accommodation can be found in Orava. The saying "bang for your buck" applies here. You will be able to choose from a tourist hostel, private rental, guesthouse, or one of the private cottages. Whether you are a couple, a family, or an entire group, you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for.

Have you ever traveled from western to eastern Slovakia through the Považie region and wondered about the name of the majestic castle ruins directly above the road? It was likely Hrad Strečno. It is one of many along the Váh River and is a popular tourist destination worth stopping for.

You will find the castle above the small village bearing the same name, Strečno. It lies near the Váh River, just a short distance east of Žilina. Strečno creates an unforgettable backdrop on a high rock, and you certainly won't miss it.

To discover all the beauties of this monument, you will have to climb to an altitude of 420 meters above sea level. However, it is well worth it. You will learn about its rich history as well as its present. Interestingly, the castle is not that old. The first written mention of it dates back to 1316, when likely only a castle tower stood here. Even so, it is one of the younger castles. It protected an important trade route through Považie, and tolls were collected here.

The founding of the castle was carried out by the Balaša family. The castle later became royal property. It was managed by none other than the famous Matúš Čák Trenčiansky. Later, it came into the hands of the Pongrác family. An interesting fact is that this family also managed the nearby Starý hrad, giving them control over everything and everyone who entered Považie. Afterwards, its owners changed very rapidly, and the castle passed through many hands. Perhaps the most famous owner was Ján Zápoľský.

Later, the castle became a center for rebels. Imperial troops had a significant upper hand and damaged the castle. This happened in the 17th century, and Strečno fell into ruin for many years after that. Reconstruction began only in 1978, and it was opened to the public in 1995.

One of the owners of the castle was František Vešeléni. This name probably means nothing to any of you, but his wife had a more renowned name: Žofia Bošňáková. 45 years after her death, her body was found intact, even though it was not mummified or embalmed! The locals therefore began to consider her a saint, and her body was displayed in nearby Teplička nad Váhom. Unfortunately, in 2004, a perpetrator set it on fire and destroyed her body. After the restoration of the remains, Žofia's body has been on display again since 2012. Another interest of the castle is that the famous movie Dragonheart was filmed here. An exhibition of the Považské múzeum v Žiline is housed inside the castle, and you will also be captivated by regular cultural events or night tours.

There are plenty of accommodation facilities directly in Strečno. You will find hostels or pleasant guesthouses here. Other villages below Strečno where you can spend your holiday include, for example, Varín or Vrútky. All you need to do is choose and wake up with centuries-old walls directly above you. Hrad Strečno offers this and much more; just come and see for yourself.

Relatively few preserved castles have survived in our country today. If you do not enjoy wandering among unstable ruined walls and imagining what the castle once looked like, visit the town of Kežmarok. The town castle, or chateau, has stood here for centuries in an almost unchanged form. You have the opportunity to peek into the lives of nobles and lords of the castle, the wealthiest people of that time.

Today, the castle gives the impression of a romantic chateau. This was not always the case. The castle was originally Gothic and was built sometime at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. It did not spring up on a greenfield site. In its place stood Kostol sv. Alžbety church from 1251. A residential wing was later added to the church, turning it into a monastery.

The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1447. A later owner, Imrich Zápoľský, ordered the demolition of both the church and the monastery. This took place in 1486. The construction material from the monastery was used in building the western wing of the castle. Many Slovak castles were struck by fire. Fires rendered many of them uninhabitable, and due to a lack of funds, they began to fall into ruin. A similar disaster did not spare Kežmarský hrad either. And it happened several times. However, it was luckier. One of the fires engulfed it as early as 1575. The reconstruction was in the Renaissance style, and shortly thereafter, the castle fell into the hands of one of the most influential families, the Thökölys.

Thanks to various renovations, Kežmarský hrad began to transform from a cold castle into a pleasant and romantic chateau. The conversion into a chateau reached its final version in 1657, when artists from Italy decorated its entire interior. Even the castle stables had mangers made of marble. A year later, a chapel located in a former defensive bastion was built, or rather rebuilt.

The glorious period of the castle ended in 1720, when it was purchased by the town of Kežmarok. It was used for economic purposes and consequently began to fall into disrepair. Part of the castle fortification was destroyed as well. In 1931, the town established a small town museum in the tower. Kežmarský zámok gained sad notoriety during World War II, when Germans were stationed there and executed several partisans. Extensive reconstruction and preparations for opening it to the public began in 1960.

The castle exhibitions are remarkably varied. Kežmarok was always a town of craftsmen, housing up to 36 medieval guilds. You can find their coats of arms and traditional tools right inside the castle. Exhibitions familiar from other castles include a wide range of weapons or a tour of the castle chapel. Highlights include the dungeon, an exhibition of a medieval pharmacy, or historical vehicles. Everyone will enjoy the castle tour.

As one of the most important towns in Spiš, Kežmarok offers many accommodation options. In addition to hotels and hostels, it offers numerous guest houses. Staying in a burgher house right on the town square. That awaits you as well. If you are looking for more affordable accommodation, choose one of the many private accommodations. Discover Spiš directly from its center, right beneath the ramparts of Kežmarský hrad.