All the way from Bratislava in westernmost Slovakia, to Košice in the eastern region, and everywhere in between, castles and ruins abound in the Slovak Republic. In fact, Slovakia is home to over 170 castles and ruins (of castles). As you might imagine – these Castles and ruins host a myriad of legends about Slovakia’s colorful past.

Slovak Castles and Ruins

Steeped in a rich cultural history, the many fortifications were built for varying reasons. Castles have been constructed as battlements for the northernmost frontier of the early Roman Empire. Other castles are former outposts of the Hapsburg Empire. Slovak castles for fending off Turks and other invading armies now lay in ruin. Even more castle remains stand as former defense posts of the Great Moravian Empire.

You may wonder, “Who lived in these Slovak castle ruins?” The answer is, they were owned, built, and destroyed by Hungarian counts, bloodthirsty countesses, rival archbishops, and legendary princesses. In many cases, castles sprung up along former east-west trade routes. These trade routes have grown into fortified towns. Each castle still keeps its own legend. Most of the Slovak castles can be visited.

We have selected six of Slovakia’s castles to visit along the main Bratislava-Košice route. This can be easily be done within a week’s time. To find out how it went, read my posts about Castle Hopping in Slovakia.

 

 

The stories they tell

Impressively, over 170 castles and ruins are scattered throughout the grassy and mountainous hillsides of newly independent Slovak Republic. Each keeps its own history and unique legend attached to a long, arduous, and active past.

If walls could speak, what stories would they tell? Here are some of them. I was planning to do more research, investigating, and exploring in Slovakia, to report on this first hand. However, as you can see, my journey changed direction, and I headed on to further explore new countries.

In the meantime, I discovered first hand research completed by another couple of travellers. I’m thrilled to share their link here. Their research dates from 2006, shortly after my visit to Slovakia in 1999. However their journey goes from West to East, where mine is from East to West Slovakia.

Now sitting quietly, these monstrous stone monoliths are worn down over time by the elements, use, abuse, and finally neglect.

 

Thursday, 25 March, 1999