Trenčín Castle

This magnificent castle, which towers over the picturesque town of Trenčín in western Slovakia, is a must-see site that should be on your itinerary. The castle is a National Cultural Monument in Slovakia, and tens of thousands of people visit it each year. It is one of the most important and largest Slovak castles in Central Europe.

The magnificent Trenčín Castle, the unmistakable face of Trenčín, characterizes the entire region of Povaie, with its large, imposing keep in the center of the castle, known as the Máté Tower, visible for miles around.

Originally a Roman army encampment on the outskirts of Laugarito (the Roman name for Trenčín), the site underwent major development in the 11th century, when a residential tower and dome were built, the ruins of which may be seen in the castle's upper courtyard. When the castle was built a more permanent fortification in the 13th century, new expansions were made.

Due to the castle's continued importance as a seat of power in an area essential to numerous nations' economies, more additions were added in the 14th and 16th centuries. The castle would serve as the major garrison and camp for trade routes connecting Northern Ugria and Central Slovakia's coal mines with Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia.

It now houses the Trenčín Museum, which educates visitors on the history of Trenčín and its eponymous castle. Old furniture, small guns, paintings, and archaeological relics are featured in several good exhibits.

Location: Trenčín, Slovakia