L.Dvorčáková, M. Hisemová, 2.D Castles in my Region L.Dvorčáková, M. Hisemová, 2.D

Šariš Castle Šariš Castle are the ruins of a gothic castle situated at top of a hill, 6-7 km north-west from Prešov, Slovakia in the traditional region Šariš (named after this castle). The castle is one of the oldest castles and biggest in Slovakia. The castle was built to protect the important trade routes. It was royal castle permanently settled from the Neolithic to the 4th century AD, then from the 10th to the 12th century, and finally a new castle was built in the 13th century. This castle burned down in 1678. Under the hill there is a small town called Big Šariš.

Kapušiansky Castle Kapušiansky Castle extends on a rock protuberance of hill Zámčisko, which is situated near the village Kapušany. It was built in 13th century on a place of an earlier Slavonic settlement. In those times, the Castle belonged to dependency of Matúš Čák and it had to protect the royal road leading from Prešov to Bardejov. Fight against Charles Robert of Anjou led to its destruction. In 16th century the Castle was reconstructed and fortified because of the thread of Turkish invasions. In the early 18th century, the commander of Francis II Rákóczi's army seized control of the Castle and in 1709 he set it on fire. Despite of the fact that Kapušiansky hrad Castle is a ruin it becomes frequented tourist destination thanks to its historical value and wonderful nature. The Castle consists of outer courtyard and upper castle. It is accessible from the northern part through a gateway guarded by a barbican. The outer courtyard was protected by tall outer bailey. Around the courtyard of upper castle is another preserved wall.

Corner of the lower circle. Full view of the castle Bailey Corner of the lower circle. Ruins of the palace

Zborovský Castle Ruins of Zborov Castle (also called Makovica) are situated near the village of Zborov in East Slovakia. The oldest written mention of the castle comes from the 13th century but older fortification had existed before. The castle was built to protect the Hungary-Poland routes. Imperial army demolished this castle in 1684. Zborov castle hill is a national nature reserve on area of ​​25.5 hectares for vegetation protection.

Plaveč Castle Plaveč Castle rises on the right bank of the river Poprad, above the village Plaveč in the northeast Slovakia . A small stone castle had already been built there in 1294 to defend the route to Poland . Plaveč Castle was an important border castle, and thus it became a royal property. Later, the king gave it to his followers the Drugetovecs. When the Drugetovecs died, Plaveč Castle was received by the Bebekovecs. In 1449 it was conquered by the Hussite armies. Imrich Zapolsky got rid of them and then Plaveč Castle belonged to him. Zapolsky´s widow gives the castle to the Horvatovecs in 1505. This family derived their new name from the local community and became the Plavecs. This family restored the castle in the renaissance style in the 16th century. Their offspring then rebuilt the castle into a comfortable mansion. Large windows, unfortunately, did not survive the bad weather, therefore the owners had to leave the castle. In 1856 Plaveč Castle burned down. Since then the castle had been falling into disrepair and there are only been the ruins in these days.

View from an access road.

View to the village Plaveč.

Hanigovce Castle The castle is located between villages Milpos and Hanigovce. They are villages near Sabinov (15 km far away) located in the Eastern part of Slovakia. The nearest big city is Prešov. From Milpos (1,5 km) or Hanigovce (2,5 km) you can get by feet to the ruins of the Hanigov Castle. On-site brick castle was probably in the 13th century wooden castle. In 1448 the castle was settled from Hussites, who threatened royal city Bardejov. The troops of King Matthias in 1460 stormed the castle and the following year this castle belonged him. In 1556 it was occupied by troops of Ferdinand I. and in 1557 the castle burnt down. Now, the castle is overgrown, lies outside the way Prešov - Stará Ľubovňa and in the literature is referred to as defunct - there are the main reasons that make castle unattractive. Otherwise it's very nice object, which we kept in its medieval form.

Zbojnícky Castle Zbojnícky Castle is situated in Slanske Hills. The ruin of Zbojnicky Castle stretches over the foothill of Tri Chotare Hill. There is a labelled tourist route leading all the way from Ruska Nova Ves to the castle. The castle remains are found on the rocky elevation which is surrounded by steep slopes from three sides. It was built upon the two naturally created terraces. Rocky enclosure external walls protected the upper castle at the edges of rock platform. There was a bigger palace building situated close by the wall tower, in the middle of apex platform. The castle was protected by a fosse from east side. This side was the only passable passage. Allegedly it was built already in the 9th century for the protection of salt springs in Solivar. The castle is visible even from long distances and there is a wonderful view from this rocky platform.

Kamenický Castle The Kamenicky Castle was built in the first half of 13th century. In its surrounding hunting ground was spread. The last noble owners the Tarczay and Drugeth family had refused the castle to hand over – it has been shoot up. Then the Dessewffy family becames owner of The Kamenicky Castle with adjacent property, but they did not settle here. The Tahy family had used material from castle walls for building of distillery in Lúčka and it has completed end of the castle. Ruins of The Kamenica Castle are frequent turist destinations.

The remains of the castle Stropkov Castle The castle was built after 1245 by the Czudar family. It owned it for more than 150 years. The internal and the external part of the castle were connected by a falling bridge. After 1414 the king Žigmund donate the castle to Peter from Perín and in 1440 was captured by "bratríci". Later was shortly occupied by Polish army, until it was defeated by the king Matej. The castle was returned to lords from Perín. In 1483 was castle shortly occupied by the Hungarian army, then in 1491 by Albrecht. In 1686 was the town and the castle under rule of Imrich Thököly, who fired the town. After suppressing of the Rákóczi uprising, in 1711 commanders of the empire army Lauken and Wolsken destroyed the castle. From the ruins of the medieval castle was built a new mansion house. The remains of the castle

The original plan of the Stropkov castle from 1767

Čičava Castle The remains of the castle sit on the wooded hillock (225 meters above the sea level), close to Vranov. The first written record about Čičava dates back to 1270. He served as a guard. Čičava Castle had a military function. After the Suppression of the uprising of Francis Rákociho II. Čičava Castle in 1711, was destroyed by the Royal Army. Several walls with the remains of plasters and architectonical details of window and door openings were preserved up to a present day. Allegedly the wedding of countess Bathory took place at the castle. Ground plan. Legend:  1. Upper castle  2. Defense tower  3. Habitable palace buildings  4. Gun bastion of an Italian type  5. Small bastion  7. Round bastion  8. Tower

Sources: http://www.skg.sk http://en.wikipedia.org http://volunteer.xchangescotland.org http://www.vucpo.sk http://www.saris.eu.sk http://www.castles.sk http://www.tixik.com

Thank you for your attention.