Turiec, ruins of castles and forts

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...

Sklabina Castle is a ruin above the village Sklabinský Podzámok on a hill at an altitude of 626 m above sea level. m. in the lower part of Kantorská dolina 9 km east of Martin. The castle was built in the first half of the 13th century on the site of an older fortified settlement. During the 13th century, it became the center of the castle estate. In 1328, the seat was located here. In 1436 the castle burned down. A little later, they gradually costly modified it. In 1554, the castle was extended by the southern, second fort. These building modifications were also related to the Turkish danger,...