Which Are the Best Castles in Slovakia?
What are the best castles to visit in Slovakia? Which ones are must see? Are you going to Slovakia soon and want to know what amazing castles should you see along your trip? Or have you recently returned from Slovakia and have something to recommend? What about you native Slovaks out there? Is there a fascinating castle or ruin somewhere hidden in the countryside that most people don’t know about?
I’d love to hear from you.
I’d like to create a top 10 list of the best castles in Slovakia. This would also include ruins since ruins were at some point castles in their past. I can’t do this without your feedback, however. What places do you recommend? Which have you visited and liked? Which would you still like to visit someday? Which have you heard a good word about? Let me know in the comments section below or send me an email.
Once I have your feedback I’ll compile a list of the top 10 castles in Slovakia.
Quickly brainstorming, here’s my tentative list of cool castles (not in any particular order):
- Spiš
- Bratislava
- Bojnice
- Trenčín
- Strečno
- Devín
I have to admit I spent all of my 5 years living in Slovakia in the western part of the country. I haven’t seen that many castles in the east. Is there something by Košice or Prešov?
I definitely could use some input here. Which would be on your list of favorites?
Note: Pictured above is Bojnice Castle and the ruins at Spiš.
8 Comments on “Which Are the Best Castles in Slovakia?”
My favorite castle is Krásna Hôrka. Of course, I haven't been to many... but it's still beautiful.
July 31st, 2008 at 04:01 PM
Thanks, Steph. I checked out some images of the place and indeed it looks very picturesque. I also see that it is in the east in the Košice region.
August 1st, 2008 at 02:08 AM
I had a student who was from Bytča who did a report on the castle in her town. I've never been there but plan to do so in the future. From her description, the town is quaint and the castle is an important part of the atmosphere. From the "Slovak Castles" website http://www.slovenskehrady.sk/?show=objectpicture&which=Bytca&id=15&lang=EN there are some nice pics.
August 1st, 2008 at 03:44 PM
For tourists the best has to be Spišský hrad. Its the biggest ruin in the central Europe and is even on the UNESCO list of important cultural monuments that should be preserved. It's closer to Levoča so that would also be a nice place for tourists to visit too.
August 2nd, 2008 at 06:01 PM
What's the name of the one connected with the story of Elizabeth of Bathory? Čachtice?
August 3rd, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Yep, Captain, that's Čachtice--a place that is probably seeing an increase in visitors recently because of the film. The draw for tourists is definitely the story of "the Blood Countess" Elizabeth Bathory since what is left of Čachtice is only ruins. That's a good recommendation.
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Hello, I am a girl from Slovakia...I was browsing the net and I found your webpage...and I like it. I live nearby Presov, so I can tell you there is not a lot of castles around...there is Sarissky and Kapusansky hrad, but it is not very interesting for turists. I personally like Krasna horka and Bratislavsky hrad...those are my favorite...and there is story to almost every castle in Slovakia. And those stories are sometimes more interesting then castle itself.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Thanks, Katka. I agree with you that sometimes the stories are more interesting than the castle/ruin itself.
August 14th, 2008 at 03:44 PM