Castle Bojnice - The Most Beautiful Castle in Slovakia

I have always been fascinated by old architecture and the past. One of my passions is visiting old castles, ruins and forgotten cities.

Castle Bojnice

There is something very powerful and exciting about entering through the gates of an old castle. They are so magnificent and just to imagine the stories they are trying to tell.

I like to walk through old castles and chateau and pretend that I lived in the old world of kings, queens and knights in Shining armour. There is something romantic and mysterious about it.

I was born in Slovakia a small country in size, but country with the most castles, chateau and mansion houses in all of Europe. There is some 425 mansion houses, 180 castles and chateau including some ruins.

Thanks to my parents who love the culture as much as I do I had the pleasure to visit almost all of them.

The castles in Slovakia stand as testament to the colonization that happened in the country during the centuries.

One of the most popular and my personal favorite Slovakia's castles is Castle Bojnice.

Castle Bojnice was build around year 1113 on a hill above town Bojnice. Presently it is next door to the Zoo and world famous Spa.
Bojnice castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia, standing on a travertine hill above the town.

The first written mention of the castle existence is from 1113 and comes from the Zobor Abbey. It used to be a wooden fortress that was rebuild into a stone castle during the 13th century. Originally renaissance and Gothic style, has been rebuilt in Romanism style in 19th century.

At the end of the 13th century Bojnice was seized by the magnate Matus Cak Trenciansky and the castle Bojnice remained in his possession until year 1321.

During the 14th and 15th centuries the castle changed owners few times.

In 1489 King Matej Korvin gave the castle and its surroundings as a present to his illegitimate son Jan Korvin.

The story has it that King Matej often visiting Bojnice and he enjoyed sitting under the Lime tree opposite the castle's entrance, which was named the King Matej Lime tree. He would dictate official documents in its shade, which would begin : ' Sub nostris dilectis tillis Bojniciensibus' - Under Our Nice Bojnice Lime Tree".

The Famous Lime Tree

After the death of King Matej the castle Bojnice was seized by the Zapolsky troops, who inhabited it till 1526. During this time the large walls and towers were build which were preserved till this day.

In 1527 King Ferdinand I. presented the fortress to Alexej Thurzo. The Thurzos renovated the fortress and transformed it into a renaissance castle. The original Gothic fortress was given high living quarters arranged around the internal courtyard.

After the Thurzo family died out, the fortress once more fell to the crown and Emperor Ferdinand III. sold it to Pavol Palfi in 1643 for 200 000 in gold.
The castle was being rebuild again. This time it received baroque resemblance.

After a long period of stagnation and deterioration castle Bojnice together with its surroundings were obtained by its last owner Count Jan Frantisek Palfi in 1852 a renowned private collector.

The extensive renovations from 1889 to 1910 completely changed the onetime mighty fortress into an enchanting castle. Count Palfi did not live to see its completion as he died in Vienna on the 2nd of June 1908.

In 1950 the castle was open to the public and ran by Nitrianske County Museum. In 1970 the castle was declared as a National cultural monument.

I visited castle Bojnice several times as a child and as an adult. Every time I entered through the gates I was transported in a different era full enchantment and magic.

I enjoyed the priceless art collection, beautifully decorated rooms, stories about the colorful history, the underground cave and the beautiful gardens.

If you ever find yourself traveling through Slovakia castle Bojnice should be on yours Must Do list. The castle is open daily to the public.

The best time to visit this beautiful castle is in a Spring or Summer so you can enjoy the gardens as well as the castle. Stroll through the gardens, sit under the famous Lime tree and dream.

Don't forget to check out the natural underground travertine cave that is located under the castle.

I am planning on going back in Summer 2010 with my children and share with them my past and my passion.