Sarrance Monastery belonged to the Betharram Fathers who had replaced the Premonstratensians who left after the French Revolution. The Premonstratensian order founded their monastery in this place in 1345, the site of a Marian pilgrimage dating from the 12th century. They maintained religious services in this place, served the parish and welcomed pilgrims and travellers on the Roman road to Santiago de Compostela.
Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.
History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.
Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.
Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.