36 Activities
Slovakia, the Land of Castles
Starts from
Bratislava
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
36
Duration
4 days
Length
579 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Bratislava
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
4 days
Length
579 mi
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
Barry Pickard
Travel Expert
- Explore impregnable castles like Devín, Trenčín and Spiš.
- Enjoy meals in the old fortifications of the Banská Bystrica and Pezinok Castles and the Trenčín Barbakan.
- Sleep like a lord for the night at Halič Castle.
- Discover engaging exhibits at the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising and the Museum of Puppet Culture and Toys .
Discover the fascinating story of Slovakia's impressive castles, a land that once boasted 180 of them, which is more per person than any other country in the world!
Trace the seven historic periods of Slovak castle development for yourself. Initially, stone castles like Devín and Trenčín in the 11th and 12th centuries were built on top of the settlements of Great Moravia. Then after the 1241 invasion by the Mongol-Tartar armies castles such as Čachtice were founded.
The Hussite Wars and the advent of gunpowder saw further castle construction in the 15th century, such as at Kežmarok, followed a hundred years later by the advances of the Ottoman Empire (Banská Bystrica Castle).
The 17th and 18th centuries saw a decline in castle building, as the Hapsburgs took power and as the Napoleonic Wars raged, seeing many castles destroyed, such as at Devín. Then, around the same time, many castles, like Bojnice and Halič were renovated by the nobility, taking inspiration from French chateaus, or done away with and replaced with new, more comfortable manor houses, such as at Brodzany.
The latest phase of castle development has seen many being bestowed national monument status during the late 20th century and receiving significant renovation and restoration, castles such as Beckov, Spiš and Pezinok .
Enjoy this journey through the beautiful Slovakian countryside seeing all these castles and more in their glory.
Trace the seven historic periods of Slovak castle development for yourself. Initially, stone castles like Devín and Trenčín in the 11th and 12th centuries were built on top of the settlements of Great Moravia. Then after the 1241 invasion by the Mongol-Tartar armies castles such as Čachtice were founded.
The Hussite Wars and the advent of gunpowder saw further castle construction in the 15th century, such as at Kežmarok, followed a hundred years later by the advances of the Ottoman Empire (Banská Bystrica Castle).
The 17th and 18th centuries saw a decline in castle building, as the Hapsburgs took power and as the Napoleonic Wars raged, seeing many castles destroyed, such as at Devín. Then, around the same time, many castles, like Bojnice and Halič were renovated by the nobility, taking inspiration from French chateaus, or done away with and replaced with new, more comfortable manor houses, such as at Brodzany.
The latest phase of castle development has seen many being bestowed national monument status during the late 20th century and receiving significant renovation and restoration, castles such as Beckov, Spiš and Pezinok .
Enjoy this journey through the beautiful Slovakian countryside seeing all these castles and more in their glory.
Categories
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
Discover the fascinating story of Slovakia's impressive castles, a land that once boasted 180 of them, which is more per person than any other country in the world!
Trace the seven historic periods of Slovak castle development for yourself. Initially, stone castles like Devín and Trenčín in the 11th and 12th centuries were built on top of the settlements of Great Moravia. Then after the 1241 invasion by the Mongol-Tartar armies castles such as Čachtice were founded.
The Hussite Wars and the advent of gunpowder saw further castle construction in the 15th century, such as at Kežmarok, followed a hundred years later by the advances of the Ottoman Empire (Banská Bystrica Castle).
The 17th and 18th centuries saw a decline in castle building, as the Hapsburgs took power and as the Napoleonic Wars raged, seeing many castles destroyed, such as at Devín. Then, around the same time, many castles, like Bojnice and Halič were renovated by the nobility, taking inspiration from French chateaus, or done away with and replaced with new, more comfortable manor houses, such as at Brodzany.
The latest phase of castle development has seen many being bestowed national monument status during the late 20th century and receiving significant renovation and restoration, castles such as Beckov, Spiš and Pezinok .
Enjoy this journey through the beautiful Slovakian countryside seeing all these castles and more in their glory.
Trace the seven historic periods of Slovak castle development for yourself. Initially, stone castles like Devín and Trenčín in the 11th and 12th centuries were built on top of the settlements of Great Moravia. Then after the 1241 invasion by the Mongol-Tartar armies castles such as Čachtice were founded.
The Hussite Wars and the advent of gunpowder saw further castle construction in the 15th century, such as at Kežmarok, followed a hundred years later by the advances of the Ottoman Empire (Banská Bystrica Castle).
The 17th and 18th centuries saw a decline in castle building, as the Hapsburgs took power and as the Napoleonic Wars raged, seeing many castles destroyed, such as at Devín. Then, around the same time, many castles, like Bojnice and Halič were renovated by the nobility, taking inspiration from French chateaus, or done away with and replaced with new, more comfortable manor houses, such as at Brodzany.
The latest phase of castle development has seen many being bestowed national monument status during the late 20th century and receiving significant renovation and restoration, castles such as Beckov, Spiš and Pezinok .
Enjoy this journey through the beautiful Slovakian countryside seeing all these castles and more in their glory.
Barry Pickard
Travel Expert
- Explore impregnable castles like Devín, Trenčín and Spiš.
- Enjoy meals in the old fortifications of the Banská Bystrica and Pezinok Castles and the Trenčín Barbakan.
- Sleep like a lord for the night at Halič Castle.
- Discover engaging exhibits at the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising and the Museum of Puppet Culture and Toys .
Travel itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
103 mi0.8 mi
Castle Origins
Begin your castle adventures at one of Slovakia's oldest stone defences, before venturing into the Trenčín region and visiting two of it's most impressive and formidable fortifications.
13 Activities
Day 2
91 mi2 mi
Fire, Fairy Tales and Finances
Explore the historic city of Trenčín and its defences, before delighting in a fairy tale castle and then enjoying dinner within the bastion of Banská Bystrica's defences.
9 Activities
Day 3
203 mi0.5 mi
Uprisings and Reconstruction
Learn about the more recent anti-fascist resistance movement during World War Two, before touring a castle built in response to the Hussite Wars. A trip to one of Europe's largest castles follows, with the day ending in a stay within a renovated castle.
5 Activities
Day 4
178 mi
From Fortress to Palatial Home
On the last leg of your journey, delight in a castle inhabited by puppets and toys, before being wowed by palatial manors and chateaus.