Ruins of castles and forts in Slovakia

Blatnica Castle is a Gothic castle whose ruins are situated near the village of Blatnica, on the foot of the Greater Fatra Range in Slovakia. The castle was built in the 13th century to protect a major trade route running from Nitra to the north. Soon afterwards it became a royal castle but the kings lost their interest in the castle's development after a new route, through Mošovce and Martin was built. The new owners of Blatnica Castle, the Révay family were more generous and the castle was significantly extended in the second half of the 16th century. The last reconstruction dated from...

Brekov Castle was a medieval castle whose ruins can be easily seen from afar when travelling between Strážske and Humenné. It was built in the Middle Ages as a guard castle, along with other nearby castles - Jasenov, Vinné, Čičava. They were built in the 13th century and belonged to the system of castles in Hungary - Poland route. In the first half of the 15th century its walls were strengthened and shortly afterwards the castle played a significant role in internal political fights, especially in 1466 when troops of King Matthias Corvinus and his defendant, the Polish king Casimir IV...

Breznica Castle ruins are located on the Hill Hrádok, southeast of the village Tekovská Breznica. It is bounded with Chválenska valley from the north and Priesilska Valley from the south. Location allowed viewing of the historic "Slovak Gate" the Abbey in Hronský Beňadik and on the 7 km distant Nová Baňa.

Dračí hrádok is a ruin on the Úboč hill above the valley of the Stupavský brook, located 2 km east of the village of Borinka at an altitude of 370 m above sea level. m. The castle was built in the 13th century, during the period when the owners of the royal castle on Pajštún were the counts of Svätý Jur and Pezinok. The royal origin is indicated by the similarity of the tower at Dračský hrádek with the towers at other royal castles (Plavecký hrad, Beckov, Pajštún). The castle complex consists of two parts. The first part is an elongated ridge (15 meters wide and 15 meters long),...

Filakovo Castle was a medieval castle whose ruins are overlooking the town Fiľakovo. The first written mention of the castle is from 1242, where it says that the castle resisted Tartar invasions. It has several owners, including Matthew III Csák. In the 12th century, the original castle consists of square tower, perimeter wall with the palace on the southwest side and probably mound with palisades. During the reconstruction in 1551 the castle was expanded to the middle castle with a pair of massive pentagonal bastions. Lower Castle was provided by three polygonal bastions, and two tower gates...

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 ruins of Bačkov Castle are located near the present-day village of Bačkov under the ruins of the manor house. The village is located 8 km behind the Dargovsky Pass, 5 km from Sečovce. The now defunct castle was built directly in the village at the beginning of the 14th century. After losing the battle, the original landowners of Bačkov lost their property by confiscation and the new owners built a new castle in the village of Bačkov. The first known owner and probably also the founder of Bačkov was Miko resp. Mick (o). In the 18th century, Baček was owned by the Fischer family, the Semer...

The Beckov castle was built in the 12th century as a part of border fortification of Hungarian Empire. The castle flourished in the 14 - 15th century, later became shabby. The historical and archaeological research was carried out in the 70s of the 20th century. After the reconstruction in 1996 the ruins of the castle were strengthened and open for the public. Open: May-October, Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Čabraď is a ruin of castle located near the village Čabradský Vrbovok, in the middle of the Krupina Highlands on a hill above the valley Litava. Originally, this castle was called Litava. The castle was built in the 13th century in the village Huntovec to protect roads leading to the mining towns. In the second half of the 16th century it was an important fortress against the Turks. They tried several times in vain to conquer it. In 1511 the castle became the property of the Archbishop of Esztergom T. Bakócz who got it modified and rebuilt around 1520. Works on fortification and enlargement...

Čičva Castla Ruins stand on a hill in Ondavská Highlands above the village Sedliská. The castle was built in the 14th century and became a guard fortress at the "Polish Gate". It was the centre of the vast estate, which included more than 60 villages. In 1527, during the reign of Drughet family it was a meeting place and headquarters of the archive of Zemplínska stool. In the same year John Zápoľský conquered the castle and set it in fire. During the fire also the archive of Zemplin Stool had burned. However, the castle was renovated and repaired again. In 1684 it was captured...

Divín is a ruin of a Gothic castle, the ruins of which are located in the village of Divín. The castle was built in the 13th century to protect the road to the Central Slovak mining area. In 1559, a new fort was built with modern defensive elements. However, even these measures did not prevent it from being conquered by the Turks in 1575, who occupied it until 1593. The castle became fatal for the looting actions of its owner Imrich Balassa - in 1683 it was conquered and set on fire by imperial troops. Divín Castle and Podhradie originally belonged to the Novohradská seat. The stool area...

Castle of Dobra Niva or even Dobronivský Castle is a gothic castle ruins situated in the village Podzámčok. The castle was built probably after the Mongol invasion in the second half of the 13th century as a guard building at the old trade route south from Zvolen. It was the centre of Dobra Niva royal property until the 16th century. In the 15th century it belonged to the property of the queens. At the beginning of the 17th century the castle was in such bad shape that the administration of the estate moved into the new building, which was built in 1609. The castle inhabited only by garrison....

Hajnáčka Castle is a freely accessible ruin of the original Gothic castle, which was built in the 13th century. It is located on a basalt hill directly above the village Hajnáčka. The village can be found in the middle of the Cer Highlands, in the valley of the river Gortva, 12 km southeast of Fiľakovo. During the Tartar invasion (1241-1242), the former Jobagionists of Beckov Castle built a fortification on Darmskó Hill. Originally, the castle served as a refuge. Later, around the middle of the 15th century, the castle was completed. It burned down in 1703 and was not rebuilt. Remains of...