Strečno Castle

The first settlements on the castle hill date back to the Iron Age. Then, presumably in the times of the early Slavs, the oldest wooden fortress was built. The medieval stone castle was erected between the 13th and 14th centuries. It existed as a royal castle and then as a noble mansion until the 17th century, when king Leopold I ordered its demolition.

Over the nearly four centuries, many owners resided in the castle. At least a few of them are worth mentioning, including Pál Kinizsi and the families of Pongrácov, Kostkov, and Vešeléniov.

Originally, the castle was created as a guard post on the road to Turiec, where toll was collected from the beginning of the 14th century. Its size increased to 165 x 61 m. The numerous massive fortifications on the western and southern sides – strong walls, towers, bastions, and four gates – made it the best protected castle in the Upper Váh region.

In 1970, the castle was declared as a national cultural heritage monument. After long reconstruction works, it was opened to the public in 1995.