The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia

Here it is. Finally. My list of the top 10 castles in Slovakia.

It was a difficult task for me to pick what I thought were the best in Slovakia. First off, I haven’t seen every castle or ruin in the country, and secondly, opinions are subjective.

My rankings are based on a few things: some are prominent Slovak symbols (Bratislava and Devín Castles), some have significant value to Slovak history (Nitra, Devín, and Trenčín Castles), some are just plain gorgeous to look at, inside and out (Bojnice and Orava Castles), and others are popular by word of mouth (Spiš, Krásna Hôrka, and Čachtice Castles).

My thanks to those who provided feedback on my initial query on the best castles in Slovakia.

A collection of pictures is at the end of this post.

1. Bratislava Castle – Its unique box-like architecture makes it easily recognizable from other castles in Slovakia. What I think makes Bratislava Castle such an important place is that it has become one of the pervasive symbols of Bratislava, as the capital. Since the image of the castle will be on the back side of 20, 30, and 50-cent euro coins, the castle has obviously become a symbol of all of Slovakia.

Inside the castle there is usually an exhibit of some sort on display but for me, the most awesome part of a visit to Bratislava Castle is to take in the view of the Danube, Petrzalka across the river, and see into Austria that is so close by.

Also, part of the Bratislava Castle experience is finding your way up the winding streets from the Stare Mesto – the Old Town. On the several trips I’ve made my way up castle hill I’ve though about the people who must have come that same way hundreds of years before, and think about how the streets and buildings have changed over the centuries.

Bratislava Castle is currently under construction and will be so for the next several years. Don’t let that discourage you from visiting if you are in Bratislava. The views are the highlight and the most memorable, in my opinion.

2. Spiš Castle ruins– There are many words that can be used to describe this castle: majestic and awe-inspiring are just a few. But what stands out about this ruin is how incredibly massive it really is. Spiš castle is the largest ruin in all of Central Europe.

Because of its large size in covering more than 10 acres, Spiš is a standout. But there are other facts that make it interesting. The hill where Spiš castle sits has been inhabited since the 5th century BC. Archaeological finds include a very specific Celtic coin that was probably made by a mint at the castle or close by. Another interesting fact is that it’s been the location of a couple films, the most well known having been Dragonheart (1996) with Sean Connery.

From the top of Spiš you’ve got pretty amazing views of the Spiš village and surrounding countryside, and also of the Tatra Mountains. Its location close to Slovak Paradise National Park, the Tatras, and the historic towns of Kežmarok and Levoča make it a worth-while stop when visiting this region.

3. Devín Castle – Devín is located close to Bratislava, just where the Danube and the Morava River meet. You know this is one strategic location when you learn that both the Celts and Romans inhabited Devín – though not at the same time, of course. Another interesting fact is that it was destroyed by Napoleon’s army in 1809. There’s no doubt about it; this castle is located on one very calculated spot.

Devín is still a popular tourist attraction today. Maybe it’s because it’s easy to get to if you are in Bratislava. Maybe because though it’s in large part just ruins, there are sections that are still in tact, such as the Maiden Tower, and the place definitely feels castle-like. Maybe it’s the neat museum where you can see all kinds of weapons and armor. Or maybe it’s the views. The winding Danube and surrounding hills are gorgeous. On the other side of both rivers is Austria.

Devín is important to Slovaks because it has been a strong symbol of Slovak nationalism. The Great Moravian Empire used it as a base to fight against Frankish overlords in the 10th century, and it was the place of several events connected with the Slovak National Revival in the 19th century.

4. Nitra Castle – It’s difficult to get a feeling for the actual “castle” in Nitra. There are structures and walls but if you consider that the castle was built on top of what was a fortification, and then there were a series of reconstructions including a rebuilding after a fire in the 13th century, rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century, rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 16th century, and then rebuilt in the Baroque style 18th century, who knows what the original look and feel was like.

What is important, is the actual locations of Nitra Castle and the hill they occupy. It’s hallowed ground. It has never been confirmed, but Nitra is the likeliest place of where the seat of the Great Moravian Empire once was. Rastislav, the legendary Slovak prince was one of the empire’s rulers and who invited two brother, Cyril and Methodius (now patron saints of the Slavic peoples) to come spread Christianity to the Slavs in the languages local to the people.

To this day, a relic of St Cyril, the bone of his index finger, is kept in a small silver box in the old part of St. Emeram church. I’ve seen it—the box, not the finger—and I have to say the fact that it’s there is pretty awesome. Saints Cyril and Methodius have got to be some of the most significant figures, if not the most significant figures in the history of the Slavic people. To me they are beyond just legendary; these two have super-star status. A relic from one of them, along with the location’s history, makes Nitra Castle a special place indeed.

5. Bojnice Castle – With out a doubt, Bojnice Castle is the most fairy-tale looking castle in all of Slovakia. It’s a beautiful castle. It also has a romantic story that goes along to the romantic surroundings. Apparently, Count Ján Pálffy, the last famous owner and resident, had the castle reconstructed at the end of the 19th century to woo a titled lady who admired the architecture of French castles. Alas, her affection could not be won and Count Pálffy lived his life as a single man, known for his extensive collection of art, antiques, and tapestries. Who knows if that’s really true, but it sounds appropriately affecting.

Bojnice Castle is as gorgeous inside as it is outside. If you go, be sure to sign up for a tour to see the spectacular rooms and the underground below the courtyard to see some of the tombs of the Pálffy family.

A good time to go to the castle is for the Festival of Ghosts and Spirits that takes place every year in May. Additionally, Bojnice has Slovakia’s best zoo, which makes this a very family friendly location.

6. Orava Castle – There are only a few castles in Slovakia that are situated dramatically on cliffs above a flowing river. Orava Castle is one of them. The castle was first built in the 13th century and shares a common fate as other Slovak castles being that for several centuries noble families inhabited it, the castle fell into disrepair, and was then destroyed by fire and overall neglect. With this castle, however, two separate restorations over the 19th and 20th centuries has brought Orava Castle back into the gorgeous state that it is in today.

The castle is extensive, has a good museum, and offers guided tours. Another activity many visitors do is to take a trip on a raft down the Orava River. There is no wild rapid rafting here, just a gentle ride on a large flat raft, meandering slowly down the river.

In my experience, and I have heard others voice this opinion, the people in the region of Orava are the kindest and most charming in all of Slovakia. It may be because they live in such a beautifully picturesque part of the country.

7. Krásna Hôrka – I can’t say I know much about this castle. I haven’t visited it thus far. But since it got a lot of positive feedback, it should go on the list.

The castle at Krásna Hôrka is located in the Kosice region, in the south east of the country and was originally a Gothic fortress built to guard the route between the rich Spiš region and the city of Kosice. Today it’s a museum with a collection of furniture and weapons from the 16th and 17th centuries.

8. Trenčín Castle – The castle at Trenčín like Devín is another castle that was built on a strategically-based location. Trenčín was once the northern most point of settlements for the Roman Empire. An inscription on a rock below the castle tells of a Roman legion battle victory at Laugaricio, the Latin name for Trenčín, in 179AD.

Though the castle wasn’t built during Roman times, it’s possible it was founded during the Great Moravian Empire. There’s an interesting legend about the castle’s “well of love”, however. Apparently it’s about 80 meters deep and was dug by a Turkish prince named Omar in the 16th century. He dug it as a ransom to save his beloved Fatima. She had been kidnapped by the castle owner Štefan Zápoľský who needed to have access to water to be able to withstand any siege on his castle. Omar dug the well for three years and after he found water, his love Fatima was returned to him.

9. Strečno Castle ruins – I like Strečno because you can see it for miles and miles as you ride along the highway from Žilina to Martin, along the winding Váh, Slovakia’s longest river.

No one is sure as to precisely when Strečno Castle was built, but it was soon after a toll was being collected at the Váh River in Strečno in the early 14th century. It was damaged in 1698 and pretty much remained ruins after that until more recently. It was reopened in 1992 after several years of reconstruction.

The draw in visiting this castle is all about the views. There’s a parking lot below the castle and from there you walk up lots of stairs to the castle. From the top you’ve got a birds-eye view of the valley, river, and villages below.

10. Čachtice Castle ruins – Čachtice doesn’t look like much now but if walls could talk, I’d imagine they could tell some harrowing and gruesome stories about one notorious lady, Elizabeth Bathory and her exploits as “the Blood Countess”.

This ruin has become a very popular place these last several months since the film Bathory was released in July 2008. Since what is left of the castle is only a ruin, a visit to the museum in the village of Čachtice below is a must. The small museum is located in the main square of the village near the church. The entrance fee is small and the museum contains some history of the village in Medieval times. Of course it also has a display of Elizabeth Bathory’s story, along with illustrations of her, the castle, and literature written about her from around the world.

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