Murán Castle Ruins

Muráň, Slovakia

Muráň Castle is noteworthy for its unusually high altitude of 935 m. It also figures in several romantic legends about its remarkable owners. Muráň Castle was built in the 13th century on a cliff overlooking a regional trade route. Its name was mentioned for the first time in 1271.

One of its owners, the robber baron Matúš Bašo, transformed the castle into a stronghold of bandits who robbed merchants and looted villages. After a siege by the royal army, the castle fell in 1548 and Matúš Bašo was executed.

Another famous owner was Maria Széchy, better known as 'The Venus of Muráň'. This astonishingly independent woman divorced her second husband to marry the love of her life – magnate Ferenc Wesselényi. When Wesselényi was besieging Muráň Castle, which was occupied by her relatives at the time, she even managed to get his soldiers inside through trickery. In 1666, Wesselényi organized a failed coup against Leopold I, but he died before any major confrontation. Subsequently, Maria Széchy bravely led a defense of the castle against Imperial troops. Outnumbered, she eventually surrendered to Charles of Lorraine in 1670.

The castle was damaged by fire in 1760 and today it is in ruins.

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Muráň, Slovakia
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Founded: 13th century
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Slovakia

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4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ivan Hašto (7 months ago)
The views from here are pristine, however the supposed cycling trek is absolutely wrecked and almost impassable on anything else but the high end mountain bikes. It takes quite an effort to pedal all the way up here and the disappointing bit is that the castle is a ruin. Applause to the volunteers that were reconstructing parts of it.
Miroslava Grigerová (8 months ago)
Beautiful castle with amazing views , wooden banches and tables between castle walls/ruins where you can have a picnic after long hike up the mountain. I would not recommend to walk with small kids all the way from the foot of the hill as it is very long hike, in stead we took "syslobus" (electric car, this service is available only few months now, we paid 10 eur for 2 adults and 3 children) it will take you almost to the top. You still need to walk about 30/45 minutes, but it is doable even for small children. The castle entrance is free, parking at the beginning of the trail is not, available to.pay by CC.
Paul Fosberry (8 months ago)
This is not a walk for the faint-hearted, although the sign in the car park says 60 mins it is a very hard going 2 hours. This is the 3rd highest castle in Slovakia, but once at the castle over some very uneven terrain, the views are amazing so well worth the hike, bring entry of water! There is a spring near the top which is a very welcome refreshing drink, it is really cold and completely fine to drink or you can wait a bit longer and get a drink soft or alcohol from the old hut at the bottom of the inclj e to the castle. The castle is free and open 24 hours, but the parking was paid but not expensive.
Pavol Popaďak (2 years ago)
Really big are of old castle with lots of descriptions and historical information. Still several boards should be renewed. The views was beautiful and great things is that ruins are continuously repaired. On the way out or in you can rest, drink and eat at the cottage nearby under the castle.
Valerio T. (2 years ago)
Everything was okay, no problems, about 1.5h of walk. You can leave your car on the parking before entering the park and there's a small buffet under the castle.
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