SPIŠ CASTLE – ONE OF THE LARGEST CASTLE SITES IN CENTRAL EUROPE

Spiš Castle is the largest Slovak castle dominating the region of Spiš, towering on the rocky hill. It is mentioned already in the 12th century as a regional castle.

In the first half of the 13th century, the castle was protected by the stone fortifications which defended it from Tartar invasion in 1241.

Spiš Chapter on the left and Spiš Castle, 

At that time, a Romanesque palace and residential tower were built in the castle complex.

After the 13th century the complex was extended with palace and Romanesque chapel which was unfortunately later destroyed.

Spiš Castle, Eastern Slovakia 

In the 14th century the castle courtyard was even more enlarged and enhanced with a secondary gateway and barbican.

Spiš castle is a state-owned castle but in the past it was a place of the kings of Hungary, and then families of Zápolya, Thurzó and then Csáky family (1638–1945), who were the last owners of the castle.

Spiš Castle aerial photo, Slovakia 

During the fire in 1780 the castle suffered extensive damage and was not reconstructed afterwards.

Extensive research, reconstructions and exposures in recent years has brought a new revival of this important monument and opened it to the public.

Church in Žehra, Slovakia 

In 1993 the castle was together with the surroundings (Spišské Podhradie, Spiš Chapter and the church in Žehra) inscribed into UNESCO world cultural and natural heritage, and is therefore one of more than 300 major monuments in the world.

Later in 2009 also nearby medieval town of Levoča was added onto the UNESCO inscription and since then the sights are know as Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments.