BUDATIN Castle

Budatin Castle is a historical and architectonical site in Zilina. It was built in the second half of the 13th century. In past it used to be a water castle protected by river streams and water dams. The oldest part of the castle is residential Romanesque tower used by Matus Cak Trenciansky. In the beginning of the 14th century during his reign the tower was fortified and one-wing castle was built. After 1545 the castle was rebuilt in Renaissance style and later amended with Baroque changes. The most famous owners of the castle were the Szunyoghs. During their ownership 1487-1798 the castle went through the most major building amendments. The legend of a beautiful Katharine is connected to that period as well. Her father - Szunyogh - had her immured alive.

The date of Renaissance rebuilt (1551) is written on the first floor of the tower fireplace. There was Baroque-Classicist castle built on the rest of forts in the 18th century, when the former one lost its fortification purpose.

In 1798 the castle became the property of the Cakys until 1945. The events of revolution in 1848 - 1849 also affected the castle; it almost burnt down completely. Since then it declined for some time. Overall reconstruction of the castle began in 1920 -1922.

There is Povazie museum located in the castle. It is specialised on documentation and research of pottery mending and includes more than 1200 pieces of pottery mending works. It is the biggest and unique collection of its kind all over the world. There are archaeological findings from Stone Age (20000 years B.C.) collected in the museum.

Opening hours:
August - April: Tuesday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
May - July: Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Tuesday - Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tel.: 00421/41/500 15 11