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Bzovik Fortress & Monastery, Slovakia Bzovik is a Gothic-Renaisance fortress built against Turkish (Ottoman Empire) invasions. It is former monastery of Premonstrans. Its beginnings date back before 1135. Location on MAP : GPS: N 48.31523 E 19.089498 Architecture : Gothic, Renaissance Founded by Lampert from family Hunt-Poznanyi together with son Nikolas and wife Zofia, sister of King Ladislav. The monastery church was built in the first half of the 12th century, despite its mention for the first time in written records in 1285. Devastated by Hussites in 1433 then rebuilt in Gothic Style (1444-1446) - new chapel to the old Romanesque single nave church with two towers + new monastery wing and garden of paradise. The monastery was burned down in 1471 by people from Krupina. In 1530 Zigmund Balassa attacked the monastery, he evicted the monks and rebuilt the monastery on grandiose scale to anti Turkish fortress - surrounded by high-fortified wall and four corner bastions + moat around the fortress. After 1678 the fortress was repaired and rebuilt in Baroque style by Estergom’s bishop Juraj Szelepcsényi. These holdings were managed by Estergom’s Chapter up to 1908 when they were sold. Partly destroyed during WW II, but most of the fortress still stand. via
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Bzovik Fortress & Monastery, Slovakia Bzovik is a Gothic-Renaisance fortress built against Turkish (Ottoman Empire) invasions. It is former monastery of Premonstrans. Its beginnings date back before 1135. Location on MAP : GPS: N 48.31523 E 19.089498 Architecture : Gothic, Renaissance Founded by Lampert from family Hunt-Poznanyi together with son Nikolas and wife Zofia, sister of King Ladislav. The monastery church was built in the first half of the 12th century, despite its mention for the first time in written records in 1285. Devastated by Hussites in 1433 then rebuilt in Gothic Style (1444-1446) - new chapel to the old Romanesque single nave church with two towers + new monastery wing and garden of paradise. The monastery was burned down in 1471 by people from Krupina. In 1530Zigmund Balassa attacked the monastery, he evicted the monks and rebuilt the monastery on grandiose scale to anti Turkish fortress - surrounded byhigh-fortified wall and four corner bastions + moat around the fortress. After 1678 the fortress was repaired and rebuilt in Baroque style by Estergom’s bishop Juraj Szelepcsényi. These holdings were managed by Estergom’s Chapter up to 1908 when they were sold. Partly destroyed during WW II, but most of the fortress still stand. via
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Bzovik Fortress & Monastery, Slovakia Bzovik is a Gothic-Renaisance fortress built against Turkish (Ottoman Empire) invasions. It is former monastery of Premonstrans. Its beginnings date back before 1135. Location on MAP : GPS: N 48.31523 E 19.089498 Architecture : Gothic, Renaissance Founded by Lampert from family Hunt-Poznanyi together with son Nikolas and wife Zofia, sister of King Ladislav. The monastery church was built in the first half of the 12th century, despite its mention for the first time in written records in 1285. Devastated by Hussites in 1433 then rebuilt in Gothic Style (1444-1446) - new chapel to the old Romanesque single nave church with two towers + new monastery wing and garden of paradise. The monastery was burned down in 1471 by people from Krupina. In 1530Zigmund Balassa attacked the monastery, he evicted the monks and rebuilt the monastery on grandiose scale to anti Turkish fortress - surrounded byhigh-fortified wall and four corner bastions + moat around the fortress. After 1678 the fortress was repaired and rebuilt in Baroque style by Estergom’s bishop Juraj Szelepcsényi. These holdings were managed by Estergom’s Chapter up to 1908 when they were sold. Partly destroyed during WW II, but most of the fortress still stand. via
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Gýmeš Castle Ruins, Slovakia (click here for VIRTUAL VISIT) Originally Gothic castle located on the hill Dúň (514 m), built in the second half of the 13th century on the site of an older fort.  The legend has that in past, the guests were welcomed with a “spade dance”.  Location on MAP : GPS: N 48.411403   E 18.220911 Architecture : Gothic, late Baroque  Above the village Jelenec in the Tribeč Mts. in west of Slovakia, at the height of 514 m there are ruins of the originally Gothic Gýmeš Castle, built in the second half of the (1253 – 1270) 13th century on the site of an older fort by the family Ivankov (son Ondrej), who became later famous noble family Forgách. The castle was the centre of the estate Jelenec or Gýmeš. Turks conquered and damaged it, it was renewed and inhabited until 1865 (19 century). It fell in decay afterwards. The legend has that in past, the guests were welcomed with a “spade dance”. It consisted of four strikes by spade and an inscription in the book of guests. Surviving parts - silhouette medieval walls with window openings and gates / doors, late baroque chapel walls, columns  
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Bojnice Castle, Slovakia - rated as one of the 25 most beautiful castles in Europe It is one of the most visited medieval Romantic castles in Slovakia with original Gothic and Renaissance elements built in the 12 th century and also being a popular filming stage for fantasy and fairy-tale movies. Location on MAP : GPS: N48°46’48.15”   E18°34’40.31” Architecture : Gothic, Renaissance Bojnice Castle was first mentioned in written records in 1113, in a document held at the Zobor Abbey, Nitra, Slovakia. Originally built as a wooden fort, gradually Poznan family. Its next owners included Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“, who received it in 1302 from the King Ladislaus V;  15th century - owned by King Matthias Corvinus, who gave it to his illegitimate son John Corvinus in 1489. Later owned by famous noble families (Zapolya, Thurzos). From 1646 on, the castle’s owners were the Palffys, who created today’s beautiful imitation of the French castles of the Loire valley. Today there is a museum (part of Slovak National Museum) and the castle is surrounded by the castle park, which contains the Bojnice Zoo (the oldest and one of the most visited zoos). The castle park continues in the form of a forest park in the Strážov Mountains. The castle is renowned for its attractions, including the popular Castle Fairytale, the International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits, Summer Music Festival, Day and Night Tours and Special Christmas, Easter and Valentine`s Programmes. The romantic castle is also a popular location for filming fairy tale movies, such as Fantaghirò. It hosts the single most popular museum in Slovakia.
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Lietava Castle Slovakia Location: 49.160627,18.684903 Architecture: Gothic One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style. The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere. You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund. photo via
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Lietava Castle Slovakia Location: 49.160627,18.684903 Architecture: Gothic One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style. The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere. You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund.
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Lietava Castle Slovakia Location: 49.160627,18.684903 Architecture: Gothic One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style. The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere. You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund.
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Lietava Castle Slovakia Location: 49.160627,18.684903 Architecture: Gothic One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style. The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere. You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund.
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Lietava Castle Slovakia Location: 49.160627,18.684903 Architecture: Gothic One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style. The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere. You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund.
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Lietava Castle Slovakia Location: 49.160627,18.684903 Architecture: Gothic One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style. The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere. You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund. photo via
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Lietava Castle Slovakia Location: 49.160627,18.684903 Architecture: Gothic One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style. The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere. You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund. photo via
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Trenčiansky hrad | Trenčín Castle Slovakia _ Historical image Trenčín Castle is a National Cultural Relic sitting above Váh River and one of the mightiest medieval complexes in Slovakia. Location on goole map Architecture: romanesque, gothic, baroque, renaissance Archaeological findings prove its inhabitation already in the Early Bronze Age. Trenčín Castle territory was already important in the Roman Empire as shows the inscription carved to the castle rock  glorifying the victory of the II. Roman Legion over the German tribes (179-180 A. D.). Pre-romanesque rotunda on the acropolis and the findings evidencing for the existence of crafts in the area of the lower castle in the time of Great Moravian Empire in 9th century. Castle`s existence is evidenced by written documents indirectly since as early as 1068 A. D. and directly in a bill dated 1111 A. D.  The history of the castle is very long and rich. Main highlights in the history are: Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“ - his seat in later 13-14th century. He gave name to the Matúš Tower, which dominates both the castle silhouette as well as the town.  Extensions of the castle by King Ludovít the Great who had repaired the damaged castle inflicted by the armies of the King Charles Robert in 1321 and became the venue of several international negotiations. In the 15th century, the castle’s belonged to Queen Barbara Cellska, the second wife of king Sigismund of Luxembourg.  Mathias Corvinus got engaged and married here to the daughter of theBohemian King George of Poděbrady in 1461. Zápolský family who rebuild the castle in a way, which is a unique fortification system, singular in central Europe from the architectonic point of view. During their reign, the water well is connected to ”WELL of LOVE” legend - the Turkishprince Omar and his great love for the beautiful Fatima, whom he had to redeem by digging a well in the rock.  In 1790, it was desolated by fire. First repairs of the castle’s ruins began in 1912, however, a systematic reconstruction has been carried out since 1956 up to this day.  The Trenčín castle had seen below its walls hostile armies of Czech and Polish kings, Tatar hordes, Bočkay and Bethlen hayducks, imperial landsknechts, soldiers of the Turkish sultan, Tatars of the Khan of Krym, companies of the Duke of Sesia, and Kurucs and Labanec armies.  However, it has never been conquered by a direct attack. Museum exhibition here documents the history of the region and of the castle – historic furniture, weapons (e.g. firearms coming from 13th -19th cent.), paintings etc. as well as a castle gallery, archaeological collections and findings. Its artistic and historic importance crosses the borders of Slovakia and belongs to the cultural wealth of Europe. Diplomatic traditions of the Trenčín castle didn’t remain forgotten. In May 24-25, 2002 the summit of the prime ministers and ministers of foreign affairs of the states of the Visegrad group and Benelux took place at the castle, and in 2004 the visit of the participants in the NATO Parliamentary session were carried out at the castle as well.
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