Castles & Ruins of Slovakia

In the lands of Spis, the north-western region of Eastern Slovakia, large castle is standing proudly on the hill above the plebs.

Romantic fairy-tale Bojnice Castle is one of the most visited and most attractive castles in central Europe. The Chateau is located near Prievidza, on the edge of the Strážovské vrchy mountains over the town of Bojnice.

One the most beautiful and largest castles in Slovakia, in the northern Orava region, Orava Castle is situated on a high rock above Orava river.

Bratislava Castle, the landmark overlooking the capital, was built in 9th century. It stands on the hill above Danube river.

The well-preserved ruin is noted for a marvellous geographical position, offering terrific panorama views upon the confluence of Danube and Morava rivers.

Site of a medieval castle that was gradually pulled down, Cerveny Kamen (pronounced CHER-ven-ee KAH-men) retains that castle’s name (from “Rothstein” in German, meaning “red stone”).

The Trenčín Castle is a castle above the town of Trenčín, housing exhibitions of the Trenčín Museum. History of the castle goes back to the age of the Roman Empire.

This hunting estate of almost 50 rooms was owned by the noble Bebek family and then Andrássy family for centuries

It’s impossible to overlook the ruins of a castle on a rocky cliff above the river Vah on the road from Žilina to Martin. The small castle, defender toll station, has become the best fortified castle of the area.

A large stone castle built in the 14th century to protect trade routes to Poland. It was an important administrative center, as well as a shelter for the Polish crown jewels.

Ideally located ruin of “the mysterious castle in the Carpathian Mountains” was made famous particullary because of its last resident, chatelaine Elizabeth Bathory.

Plavecke Podhradie Village is located 20 km from Malacky. A huge castle was built in the 13th century above the village to fill the role of the frontier fort.

Krasna Horka (“Beautiful Hill”), majestic castle in the heart of Slovakia. Now in the reconstruction due to extensive fire in 2012.

Standing on a steep high cliff above Vah – the longest river of Slovakia, magnificent ruins of Beckov castle are a dominant feature on the horizon.

The mansion built at the end of the 19th century by the Palffy family is dominating the village, where people lived since the New Stone Age.

Spectacular old ruin from 13th century close to the capital, Pajstun is a popular place among rockclimbers. Wonderful views and nice walk through the beautiful Carpathian woods.

Very preserved castle with bright white walls is standing on the road between Banska Bystrica and Brezno. An important route led here in medieval times – Via Manga.

A special combo of a preserved ruined castle and a Renaissance manor house on the edge of the town of Liptovsky Hradok offers stylish accommodation, restaurant and a very untraditional place for a visit.

A wonderful, romantic castle serves as a convention centre, used for conferences, symposia, seminars and weddings. Open for public in July and August.

At the exit from Žilina to Kysuce, at the junction of the Rivers Vah and Kysuca, there rises the far-visible water tower of the former medieval castle.

History of Likava Castle goes back 700 years. It was once a royal guardian castle, later rebuilt as a sumptuous private residence.

Near the town of Krupina there is a freely accessible monastery, that can be visited with smaller children. Only ruins have been preserved, which is ideal for adventurous discovery.

In the city park of Holíč, you can sit and taste trdelníky, a specialty from nearby Skalica. From the lower end of the park, information boards lead us to a national cultural monument, which was built in the 13th century.

The Strážky manor house is a part of Spišská Belá. Today it houses the Slovak National Gallery. Its architecture and the adjacent park sensitively respect surrounding nature.

The hotel and the castle in one in a beautiful setting was once an almost hopeless ruin. Today it is beautifully renovated and offers short-term and long-term recreation.

The picturesque, open valley of the river Poprad near Stará Ľubovňa offers wonderful views of the wide surroundings from the elevated hills. Here lie the majestic ruins of Plaveč Castle.