Hrad Červený kameň
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.
