689 castles, ruins and castles in 11 countries. Lukáš Maleček, known as. Over the past year, he has added more than 150 historical buildings to the list of visited. The number is not only statistics, it is especially the inspiration and tips that Lukáš wears for lovers of castles from trips.
In addition, he still runs in schools, lectures and organizes a large group meeting. For the summer holidays, which are perfect for trips to the castles, alive tours and events, he advised us exceptional sites in Slovakia and abroad.
It is not the most visited or most famous places. But they are castles, ruins or forts that inspire the atmosphere, views or surprising details of the past.
The Trenčín region is a region of exceptional castles. This is also evidenced by the beautiful ruins of Uhrovec Castle. On a rock hill at a height of 591 meters above sea level it was built in the 13th century. Thanks to its location he never dragged him, but in the 19th century it was burned and since then dilapidated. Nevertheless, the chapel, towers, stone fireplace, tanks, toilet, some walls and Renaissance palace parts have been preserved.
Uhrovec is one of the most valuable ruins of the Ranoroman Castle in our country. The amazing association of volunteers is working on its improvement. Thanks to them, it is accessible (free) not only the lower castle, but also special parts. For example, it is the top part where the beautiful panoramas of the Strážovské Hills open. The ruins, in a beautifully reconstructed farm building, can be slept. Most of the time there is a castellan.
Maybe you will hit your visit to the day when langos or cones are preparing at the castle. You will certainly run them out on the way. Especially if you choose a demanding route from the village Uhrovec via Jankov Vrchok. Less effort awaits you if you go after the green from Uhrovský Podhradie.
Lednice Castle, Slovakia
On the steep rock of the White Carpathians, one of the most picturesque ruins of Slovakia stands. The castle was built in the 13th century as a guard fort. It protected the western borders of Hungary and a trade route Považie. He was never one of the big castles, but it is unique in its location in an almost inaccessible rock. The castle is literally carved into it. Its highest parts are accessible only by narrow iron stairs and bridges. It retains the authentic atmosphere of the medieval fortress.
There were also parts of the walls, chapel, tanks or living spaces overlooking the valley. The association of historic enthusiasts is taken care of to be in the best possible condition to sensitively restore the castle. In the castle. This year, Lednice will also support the castle hunter. In, there is already the sixth huge meeting of his community. A rich program awaits the event, from which the entire proceeds will remain in the castle.
You can look forward to commented tours of the castle, the performance of the fencing group Tostabur, the observation of the sun, the raffle, the contact exotic mini zoo or the children’s contest in archery. It is also pleased that the ruin is easily accessible, the journey will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Tvrdda Kličeica, Croatia
The fortress from the 15th century lies near the town of Benkovac, about 37 kilometers from Zadar, where it flies directly from Košice and Bratislava. The construction can also be seen from the highway. Many Slovaks around her travel every year on holiday to the sea, but few people “dare” stop. In doing so, it can be reached by car on a stony road to the castle. In addition, you will find a suitable camping place in a beautiful environment.
The fortress is switched off over the canyon of the river and is surrounded by a forest. From the top tower and walls you will have a panoramic view of the forest valley and the surrounding landscape. Amazing is also a building in the shape of an irregular rectangle, built to protect the Kingdom of Croatia. It has a massive stone wall, which has been partially preserved together with the dominant defensive tower. Yet the castle was conquered. The fact that it was after the cruel fights were witnessed by the spikes of the arrows or balls from the cannons that were found in the walls.
Ruins Blansk, Czech Republic
Moravian Karst is known mainly for the chase of the macocha and the beautiful punk cave. There is a ruin of Gothic Castle nearby. The construction from the 13th century is spreading the legend that it leads the secret underground corridors to the caves of the Moravian Karst. This has not been confirmed, but we know that the castle existed briefly. Only two centuries and it was a ruin. To this day, the remnants of the palace with large Gothic windows, the remains of the walls and the double defensive ditch have been preserved. All this rises on a steep rock, just above the Punkva River.
Thanks to the fact that it was built on a hill at a height of about 485 meters above sea level, it offers a nice view of the valley and part of the Moravian Karst. However, it can block it, especially in summer, trees. Even so, it is a pleasant place for a walk in the middle of the forest. The ruin, which is accessible free of charge, can be reached in several ways. The Hradov Hunter recommends an undemanding route from the village of Nové Dvory along the green trail, leading through a beautiful tree alley.
Scaliger Castle of Sirmione, Tiliansko
Unlike smaller ruins, much more visitors welcome the impressive water castle. The whole area of Lake Lago di Garda is also popular, where a fortified gem is on the tip of the Sirmione Peninsula. It was built in the middle of the 14th century the powerful noble family scaligers.
The castle has three massive defensive towers and is surrounded by a water ditch connected to the lake. You will enter it through two bridges and monumental stone gates. They are decorated with the coat of arms of the Scaligers and Venetians, who later belonged to the castle. It also includes the original medieval port, which is called Darsen. It acted as a small fortified naval headquarters. One of the oldest preserved ports of this type in Europe can be seen from a height, from Donjon.
A detached castle tower, 37 meters high, in full beauty will show the lake and building. You can visit the castle all year round. Admission is paid – adults from 25 years of age 8 euros, young people under 25 years 2 euros. Children under 18 do not apply. It is recommended to buy in the season. The problem is with parking, but if you are lucky, you will shut down the car near the monument. The vehicle at Lago di Garda will be useful. You can also explore the other amazing castles, which were built in the closer or distant surroundings of the Scaliger family to build the scaligers.
Sátoraljaújhely, Maďarsko
In the hilly region of Zemplin rises the ruins of the castle from the 13th century. Once the city itself and the city itself protected the trade route. He lost his defensive function as early as the 17th century, when it was conquered by imperial troops. Today it remained the last remnants. These are the remains of the castle walls, parts of the towers and the floor plan of the former palace buildings.
From the top of the hill, where the castle is located, there is a view of the surrounding area, including the Tokaj wine region. From the ruins or nearby prospects you will certainly fall on the bridge in the clouds. With the length of the Guinness, the world record holds as the longest walking hone bridge without column supports. The bridge Nemzeti Összetartozás Hídja floats 80 meters above the valley and connects the hills of Szárhegy and Várhegy, where the ruins are also lied. It is accessible for free, but the bridge is part of Zemplén Kalandapark, so it is paid there.
The adrenaline and historical attraction can be reached by a marked walkway by steep ascent. The road leads from the town of Sátoraljaújhely (in Slovak Nové Mesto pod Šiatrom). Slovak visitors often get lost here by chance, despite the fact that from the village of Slovenské Nové Mesto can handle it in a while.
Peťuša, Slovakia
The remains of the castle, which you probably have not even heard, lie near Zvolen. Many written information has not been preserved about Peťuš. Therefore, we do not know who had the castle built or what was originally called. It was probably built in the 13th century. He worked briefly as a toll station on the road to Zvolen and remained desolate in two hundred years. From his short existence, modest fragments remained in the form of wall remnants, uncovered by archaeologists.
Today they are hiding the ground again. You will see how much you can discover them in a quiet forest environment. The ruins above the left bank of Hron can be reached from a place called Red Medokýš. From there you will go about a 1.5 kilometer long forest road with a slight elevation. If you find the hike little demanding or the ruin little interesting, enrich your trip to nearby Pustý Castle. In his case there is something to look at. It is one of the largest and oldest castle complexes in Slovakia.
Water Castle Hronsek, Slovakia
In a much better condition than Peťuša is originally a Gothic-Renaissance mansion in the village Hronsek, which you can only find 15 kilometers from the ruins. The castle with a water ditch, a falling bridge and four towers was created at the end of the 16th century. He was fortified during the Turkish raids. He was also a place where they minted coins or prison.
Today it is privately owned and beautifully reconstructed. The interior is decorated with rare wall paintings with not only hunting and biblical motifs. You will see them as part of paid guided tours. Their number is currently more modest. Along with the program in the form of fencing performances and craft demonstrations will be held in.
The Hronsek Water Castle also guests various cultural events. Its elegant interior is, for example, a backdrop for theater performances. You can also stay in the castle. You will sleep directly in historical apartments, where there is another treasure of the village Hronsek. It is an articular church that is built of all wood and registered in the UNESCO list.
Pevnosť Sokolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The castle in Unsko-Sani canton can be an interesting tip for a trip on the road to the sea. It is a medieval fort that stands on the steep rock of Debeljača above the left bank of the Una River. It was to be formed in the 13th century as part of the defense system of the Kingdom of Hungary against the Balkans. Finally, at the end of the 16th century it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
To this day, parts of the defensive walls and the tower have been preserved. From the ruins, from a raised place, there is a beautiful view that is even better from the tower. However, you have to keep in mind that access to the top is narrow and the stairs are not in very good condition. This is despite the fact that the fort and its surroundings have started to take more care of in recent years. That is why they sometimes choose admission, one euro, although several sources say that the monument is accessible freely. On the other hand, the information board, benches and a smaller playground will delight. It is also possible to park in place, about 5 minutes from the entrance to the fort.
The ruins of the Castle Veľký Kamenec, Slovakia
In the 13th century the castles were built very intensely, as evidenced by the ruins in the east of Slovakia. Veľký Kamenec built after the Tartar invasion to demolish the imperial army four centuries later. Today it remained a significant five -sized bastion and a smaller cannon bastion. In addition, parts of the castle palace, some perimeter walls and a tank in the courtyard have been preserved.
Visitors will also inspire a view of the Zemplínske vrchy, surrounding fields and the village of the same name in which it lies. This indicates that access to the castle is simple. It leads to a few paths to come in a few minutes. However, the ruin should be careful, there is a risk of stone fall.
Castle Muszyna, Poland
Recently, the castle has been renewed above the town of Muszyna. The Slovaks were also attached to the work. Indeed, originally a wooden castle from the 11th century costs just a short distance from our border with Poland. The medieval ruin later, for example during the fighting with Matej Corvin, served a defensive function. The building on an elevated hill called Baszta was held until the 18th century, when it was left.
The castle was even partially dismantled into the building material. Today it is accessible after the reconstruction. In the beautiful courtyard, a café and an exhibition room with many exhibits were added. A popular attraction is a 14 -meter -high tower. From it will show a beautiful view of the place, the city and the basin of the surrounding rivers.
While you can reach the courtyard free of charge, the entrance to the tower with exposition and views. Muszyna Castle is accessible from April to November and easily accessible. You can park in the city and get a pleasant way through the forest to climb the hill to the memory.
Czorsztyn Castle, Poland
For Slovaks, a close attraction is also a ruin on the limestone rock above the lake Czorsztyn. The remains of the Gothic Castle from the 14th century lie in the heart of the Pieniny National Park. He was fortified to defend and served as a border between Poland and Hungary, but it was damaged by battles and fires.
After the last, caused by lightning, it remained a ruin in the 18th century. After preservative work, the castle was opened. During your visit, you will cross the preserved ruins of the middle and upper castle or around the Renaissance Baranows tower. From the terraces of the upper castle and windows of the tower is a beautiful view. For example, Spiš Pieniny or Tatras can see.
Beautiful views are on the standing castle, which the hunter of castles also recommends to visit. In the part of which the kitchen is called the exhibition about the history of the castle. It is accessible for a fee as well as the entire ruin. With the ticket you will have (time -limited) parking at the castle with a very attractive surroundings.
