Lower Nitra (Dolná Nitra), ruins of castles and forts

Gýmeš is a castle ruin on the southern slope of the Tribeč Mountains, approximately 5 km north of the village of Jelenec (Gýmeš). It is one of the family castles of the Forgách family - along with the Galicia Castle. The castle was built in the years 1253-1270 on the site of the old fort. In the 15th century was carried out extensive construction, they were built new palaces and vast fortification. Work on defense facilities continued in the 16th century, when the entrance to the castle built a large tower trapezoidal ground plan and cylindrical tower. Increased labor, fees and taxes resulted...

The château was built in the second half of the 13th century originally as the château of Tekov Borough. It was rebuilt several times. After 1542 if was changed into army anti-Turkish fortress. There is Tekov Museum in the château from 1958. Expositions: Exhibitions from collection of museum on certain topics and authors

Oponice Castle is a ruin of a castle dating from the 13th century. The castle gradually belonged to Matúš Čák, Mikuláš Gutkeled, Dezider Kaplay and Mikuláš Ewrs. In 1430 the castle was conquered and damaged by Hussite troops, but it was repaired immediately. It gradually fell into the hands of increasingly poor owners, who restored it during the 16th and early 17th centuries as part of the anti-Turkish defense, but with great financial difficulties. Thanks to these adjustments, he resisted the Turkish onslaught. Disputes over the Apponyi's property between the two brothers contributed...