Slovakia can pride of owning a large number of castles, because of its wealth and strategic lokation as a site during the rule conflicts for more than 1000 years. Later their function changed and after reconstructions, beside the devence they also served as administrative and economic centres or became seats of noble families. After defeat of them at the beginning of 18. century, lot of them was demolished, because they lost their function as a protectors of the borders and wealth of their owners.
Today, you can visit completely preserved castles, house museums with rich colletcions of Middle Ages and castle ruins with their secrets.
Town Castle of Banská Bystrica as a characteristic dominancy of historic centre of town is national cultural monument. Function of castle was to protect the incomes from bulions mining and royal treasure and as a seat of kings , church delegates and city council conferences.
The Old Castle of Banská Štiavnica is a national cultural monument, whose origins reach back to the early 13th century. I is itself an exhibition of the architectural styles of 13.-19. century.
The New Castle of Banská Štiavnica is a national cultural monument - six-floor Renaissance building with four bastions. It served as a watch tower in the anti- Turkish wars. Because of its dominant position, it was also used as the town's live clock. You can see there an exhibition of Anti-Turkish Wars in Slovakia.
Castle Beckov stands on 60 m high scarp hill beyond village Beckov, where from 13. century has guarded business way beside a river Váh. It was a seat of kings, strong magnates and chevaliets and it standed Tatar and Turkey fires. You can feel here a history and live over the fights of Middle ages, admire an artivicers work, or taste a specialities of erstwhihe habitants.
Manor-house Betliar was built by comte Andrassy at beginning of 18.century and all of its history is related on this clan. All of its aparatus is authentic, the biggest treasure here is
central bibliotheca with more than 20.000 theologic, historic, geografic and philosophic volumes from 15.-19.century in 15 languages. Park of the manor-house is on the list of world´s historical gardens and it is the largest conserved park in Slovakia.
The Castle of Bojnice is a romantic castle with some original gothic and renaissance elements built in the 12th century. It has also being a popular filming stage for fantasy and fairy-tale movies. Castle is surrounded by the park featuring numerous species of trees and also contains the Bojnice Zoo.
The Castle of Bratislava was inhabited from neolithic Hallstadt and Roman eras.The highest importance reached during the reegn of Queen Maria Theresa., in 18.cesntury was rebuilt into typical royal residence. Today it shelters the historical part of the Slovak National Museum.
Devín Castle erected on a rock it stretches over the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. It ranked among the most important Greater Moravian castles and retained its strategic importance until the end of the 17th century. In the beginning of 19.century was destroyed by the Napoleon armies.
Castle of Kežmarok was built by the aristocratic families to defend the town, Later was reconstructed to a Gothic fortress and Renaissance residence. Now it houses and museum.
Castle Krásna hôrka was built in 1320 in Gothic style, later was rebuilt as a typical late-renaissance residence of nobility. There was the museum here, original castle kitchen,tearoom,cassino and music room, tombs of the Andrassy family and other valuable monuments.10.3. 2012 broked up the fire here and people from all parts of Slovakia are collecting the funds for its salvage.
Castle of Nitra is the result of the architectural changes from 11th century with prevailing Baroque. Historical centre of the town is now protected town reserve.
Castle of Orava is built on a steep rock 112 m high, over the surface of Orava River.The castle involves citadella, Jan Corvinius´Palace, Pálfy´s Palace, Thurzo Palace and church with its vaults. There is the castle museum in interiors.
Spiš Castle as to acreage is the largest castle in Slovakia and one of the largest in Central Europe. In its 5 yards there are remains of objects from the 13th-17th centuries. In a Romanesque palace and in a chapel is an exhibition of archeologic findings.
Castle of Stará Ľubovňa was built in the 13th century as a frontier fort., later it was a seat of Polish Governor who governed the Spiš towns given to lease of Polish King. There is museum, galery and an exhibition of Zamagurie Region.
Castle Strečno is the gothic 14th-century castle defending the road in a narrow, 4,5km-long canyon of the Váh River. The canyon witnessed fierce battles during the Slovak National Uprising. Here, on the Zvonica hill, a Memorial to the Fallen French Guerilla Fihters was erected.
Castle of Trenčín is first documented in 1111. It was the royal castle originally and later anti-Turk fortress. There are museums opened to the public and the historical centre of the Trenčín is now a protected fown reserve which includes parts of thefortifications, burgher houses, churches, museum, picture gallery and exhibition area.
Castle of Zvolen was built in 14th century in the Gothic Style of Italian Urban „castello“ as the summer residence of the King Ludwig the Great. You can see the exhibits of the Slovak National Gallery and every year are the Zvolen Castle Summer Games here in the castle.