Cerveny Kamen Castle, Častá, Slovakia

Červený Kameň Castle was built in the 13th century as part of the chain of the Kingdom of Hungary’s frontier defense castles ranging from Pressburg to Žilina. Although the Fugger family built the massive fortress in the first half of the 16th century on the site of an original royal castle, its history is connected with the Pálffy noble family. This important Hungarian aristocratic family gradually altered it into a stately residence with rich stucco ornamentation and frescos in the interior.

The Pálfis inhabited the castle until 1945. The visitors can admire the famous times of the Castle and scenes from its rich history primarily during fencing festivals and falconers shows. Summer night tours of the Castle also have their special atmosphere.

Nowadays the Castle houses a museum presenting historic housing of the nobility.

References:

Slovakia Travel

User Reviews

Peter Dolezel (3 years ago)
Nice to see place. A castle in good state. Usually some of the old handicrafts. Quite big parking. Also a good viewpoint. Suitable for a walk in the forest.

Martin Gajarský (3 years ago)
I've been coming here for the past 30 years. The most tourist friendly castle in western Slovakia (along with Trencin castle). Features: Regular tours also in english, a cafe, a small vine cellar with vine tasting and a shop, a bird of pray zoo with a bird show and a restaurant. It's surrounded by scenic Little Carpathian nature. Frequently has historic events.

S James (4 years ago)
Up there in the top 5 castles I've ever been to. The tour was great and the history is quite interesting. There are many aspects to this castle which I had never encountered elsewhere. The birds of prey exhibit in the grounds is amazing. I developed a new love for owls. I will go again if I get the chance. A must visit if you're near Bratislava.

Matus Menhart (4 years ago)
Parking is free, without problem. Castle is well maintained with interesting expo. Weekends are mostly full, due to various events

Theme Park Slovakia (4 years ago)
One of the best castles in Slovakia!!! Amazing parks, animals and wine. Worth to visit! Great for kids.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Luiyo

Historic Site of the week

Lorca Castle

Castle of Lorca (Castillo de Lorca) is a fortress of medieval origin constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries. It consists of a series of defensive structures that, during the Middle Ages, made the town and the fortress an impregnable point in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. Lorca Castle was a key strategic point of contention between Christians and Muslims during the Reconquista.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site of the castle has been inhabited since Neolithic times.

Muslim Era

It has not been determined exactly when a castle or fortress was first built on the hill. The first written documentation referring to a castle at Lorca is of Muslim origin, which in the 9th century, indicates that the city of Lurqa was an important town in the area ruled by Theudimer (Tudmir). During Muslim rule, Lorca Castle was an impregnable fortress and its interior was divided into two sections by the Espaldón Wall. In the western part, there was an area used to protect livestock and grain in times of danger. The eastern part had a neighbourhood called the barrio de Alcalá.

After Reconquista

Lorca was conquered by the Castilian Infante Don Alfonso, the future Alfonso X, in 1244, and the fortress became a key defensive point against the Kingdom of Granada. For 250 years, Lorca Castle was a watchpoint on the border between the Christian kingdom of Murcia and the Muslim state of Granada.

Alfonso X ordered the construction of the towers known as the Alfonsina and Espolón Towers, and strengthened and fixed the walls. Hardly a trace of the Muslim fortress remained due to this reconstruction. Muslim traces remain in the foundation stones and the wall known as the muro del Espaldón.

The Jewish Quarter was found within the alcazaba, the Moorish fortification, separated from the rest of the city by its walls. The physical separation had the purpose of protecting the Jewish people in the town from harm, but also had the result of keeping Christians and Jews separate, with the Christians inhabiting the lower part of town.

The remains of the Jewish Quarter extended over an area of 5,700 square m, and 12 homes and a synagogue have been found; the synagogue dates from the 14th century and is the only one found in the Murcia. The streets of the town had an irregular layout, adapted to the landscape, and is divided into four terraces. The synagogue was in the central location, and around it were the homes. The homes were of rectangular shape, with various compartmentalized rooms. The living quarters were elevated and a common feature was benches attached to the walls, kitchens, stand for earthenware jars, or cupboards.

Modern history

With the disappearance of the frontier after the conquest of Granada in 1492, Lorca Castle no longer became as important as before. With the expulsion of the Jews by order of Ferdinand and Isabella, Lorca Castle was also depopulated as a result. The castle was abandoned completely, and was almost a complete ruin by the 18th century. In the 19th century, the castle was refurbished due to the War of Spanish Independence. The walls and structures were repaired or modified and its medieval look changed. A battery of cannons was installed, for example, during this time. In 1931 Lorca Castle was declared a National Historic Monument.

Currently, a parador (luxury hotel) has been built within the castle. As a result, archaeological discoveries have been found, including the Jewish Quarter.

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