Bytča, national cultural monuments

Renaissance mansion in the city centre of Bytča is one of the most important and architecturally most impressive feudal settlements in Slovakia. The National Cultural Monument consists of a Renaissance palace so-called Wedding Palace as well as economic and residential buildings. Originally there was a small castle built in the 13th century, belonging to the Bishopric of Nitra. In 1563 Francis Turzo took possession of the Bytča estate together with the castle. He built on the site of an old Gothic castle new castle - fortified complex multi-functional structures in the years 1571- 74. In the...

The romantic ruins of the Strečno castle dominate above the ribbon of the river Váh as the symbol of feudal powers on the middle part of the river Váh. Although being in ruins already for three centuries, its preserved architecture is proof of development of mediaeval fortress from the period of Gothic until the period of Baroque. Although the history of the castle began only in the middle of the 14th century, the first inhabitants came here far earlier – the archaeological findings proved...

The mansion in Oščadnica was built in the years 1910 - 1913 by the Prussian Junker Count Ballestrem. At that time, the mansion served as a hunting lodge, and the count established a forest park with an area of over 3 hectares. The manor building is two-track and two-story, symmetrical to the central axis, oriented longitudinally in the east-west direction. Over time, the manor house changed owners and other buildings were gradually added to it. In 1976, the mansion became the property of the...

The National Cemetery in Martin, Slovakia is the final resting place of many important personalities of Slovak history. The list includes writers, poets, national activists, pedagogues, etc. The reason why Martin was selected as the site for the National Cemetery was its role as the center of Slovak culture during the years of formation of the Slovak nation (19th century).