Beckov Castle

Nové Mesto nad Váhom District, Slovakia

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends. One of them narrates the origin of the name of castle derived from that of jester Becko for whom the Duke Stibor had the castle built.

Another legend has it that the lord of the castle had his servant thrown down from the rock because he protected his child from the lords favourite dog. Before his death, the servant pronounced a curse saying that they would meet in a year and days time, and indeed precisely after that time the lord was bitten by a snake and fell down to the same abyss.

The well-conserved ruins of the castle, now the National Cultural Monument, are frequently visited by tourists, above all in July when the castle festival takes place. The former Ambro curia situated below the castle now shelters the exhibition of the local history.

References:

Comments

Your name

Website (optional)


Address

Trenèiansky kraj, Nové Mesto nad Váhom District, Slovakia
See all sites in Nové Mesto nad Váhom District

Details

Founded: c. 1200
Category: Castles and fortifications in Slovakia

More Information

slovakia.travel
www.visitslovakia.com
en.wikipedia.org
www.sezamki.eu

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Trencín Castle (15,7 km)
St. Emmeram's Cathedral (54,3 km)
Katarínka Monastery Ruins (37,4 km)
Nitra Castle (54,3 km)
Cachtice Castle Ruins (12,4 km)
Trnava (51,3 km)
Smolenice Castle (46,1 km)
St. John the Baptist Cathedral (51 km)
Gýmes Castle Ruins (48,4 km)

User Reviews

Nikolas T (6 months ago)
A stone castle was built there to protect the borders of the Kingdom of Hungary, probably in the middle of the 13th century.  It is a natural cultural monument and had renovations , you can found there souvenir shop also toilet, unfortunately not many historical things saved which you can see , everywhere ruins , no museum , but landscape is good.
Ainars Dominiks (6 months ago)
Another, another, another castle in Slovakia. :) You must visit at least 5 castles in Slovakia to understand history. there are no same size, shape and all other type of caste. History you will learn quicker if you will see.
Ivan Bosmansky (9 months ago)
Wonderful landmark. It is worth to get the tickets since there is a nice view from the top. There are also toilets and a gift shop so everything was available. Parking is for free near the park below castle. Its not far, in 5 minutes walk you are at the castle.
Peter Fecko (10 months ago)
Beautiful castle connected with lot of history from the region. Not too big, so good also for families with children (not with trolleys though). Good guided tour (in Slovak), castle campus has also gift shop and small bufet for drinks / snacks. Features also installation of dragons in cellar areas, nice touch for kids.
Bertie Davel (12 months ago)
Unexpected nice experience at the castle. It's an easy walk up from the town and the entrance fee was reasonable. The castle ruins are well maintained and various areas are accessible. There is quite a bit to explore. We saw some guides tours being presented but don't know if they were available in languages other than Slovak. Some information, including a leaflet is available in English and German. Well worth a visit, just the views of the White Carpathian mountains are worth it.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Must-see historic sighs in Luxembourg
Photo from Flickr, copyright RoyP

Historic Site of the week

Steinvikholm Castle

Steinvikholm Castle is an island fortress built between 1525 to 1532 by Norway's last Catholic archbishop, Olav Engelbrektsson. Steinvikholm castle became the most powerful fortification by the time it was built, and it is the largest construction raised in the Norwegian Middle Ages.

The castle occupies about half of the land on the rocky island. The absence of a spring meant that fresh water had to be brought from the mainland. A wooden bridge served as the only way to the island other than boat. Although the castle design was common across Europe in 1525, its medieval design was becoming obsolete because of the improved siege firepower offered by gunpowder and cannons.

The castle was constructed after Olav Engelbrektsson returned from a meeting with the Pope in Rome, presumably in anticipation of impending military-religious conflict. As Archbishop Engelbrektsson's resistance to the encroachment of Danish rule escalated, first with Frederick I of Denmark and his successor Christian III of Denmark, Steinvikholm Castle and Nidarholm Abbey became the Catholic Church's military strongholds in Norway. In April 1537, the Danish-Norwegian Reformation succeeded in driving the archbishop from the castle into exile in Lier in the Netherlands (now in Belgium), where he died on 7 February 1538. At the castle the archbishop left behind St. Olav's shrine and other treasures from Nidaros Cathedral (Trondheim). The original coffin containing St. Olav's body remained at Steinvikholm until it was returned to Nidaros Cathedral in 1564. Since 1568 St. Olav's grave in Nidaros has been unknown.

From the 17th to 19th century, the island was used as a quarry and some of its masonry was sold and removed from the site. This activity was condoned by the Danish-Norwegian authorities as a way of eliminating a monument to the opposition of the Danish–Norwegian Union.

Steinvikholm fort is owned and operated today by The society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments. The island has been the site of the midnight opera which details the life and struggles of the archbishop. The opera is held in August annually. The opera is organized by Steinvikholm Musikkteater since the beginning in 1993.

Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
© 2019 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.