Bojnice Castle

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Bojnice Castle is also called the Haunted Castle, thanks to the many legends associated with the building.

In late April and early May, the International Festival of Spirits and Ghosts takes place in Bojnice Castle. Specialized theatrical performances are held on the territory of the castle.

Bojnice Castle is located on a hill and is surrounded by the same city. This citadel is one of the oldest and most valuable in Slovakia. It exists more than 10 centuries - the first mention of the Bojnice castle is found in historical documents in 1113 Initially, the Bojnice castle was wooden, but later it was rebuilt from a stone. Already in the Middle Ages, the building boasted the presence of sewerage and running water - it was rare for that time.

Castle for centuries passed from hand to hand, one of its owners was the famous King Matthias Hunyadi, whom everyone called Corwin (translated into Russian - "crow"). Legend has it that the King Raven often came to Boinitsky Castle and liked to sit in the park under a linden tree. Supposedly this pastime helped him not only to relax, but also to think about the laws for his subjects. This tree exists till now - the guide will show you the lime of the Crow King.

In summer and in September the castle works without days off, in the remaining months on Mondays visitors are not allowed.

Over the past centuries, the Haunted Castle has been rebuilt many times. But each major alteration did not cancel the previous architectural solution, but only supplemented it. As a result, a unique in its structure castle, incorporating the best features of many architectural styles, but most of all he took from the French romanticism.

Romantic style in the guise of the castle appeared thanks to the love of his last owner Count Jan Frantisek Palfi. The man was in love with a nobleman from France, who, although she answered the count with reciprocity, refused to marry him. The girl did not want to live in Slovakia, because she was not at all like her homeland. A desperate attempt to recreate a piece of France from Bojnice Castle was not successful.

Despite extensive rebuilding of the castle, the beauty chose to marry another. The inconsolable Count never married. In honor of the lonely life of the last owner, a crown of thorns appeared on the spire of the main tower of Bojnice Castle.

Jan Frantisek Palfi, in his will, asked me to bury him in the estate, and turn the castle into a museum. However, the wishes of the Count were realized only after several decades. Since 1950, the museum of documentation and presentation of postmodern architectural style has been working in Bojnice Castle. The Bojnice Museum is considered part of the Slovak National Museum.

Heirs of Earl Palfi managed to sell a lot of exhibits of the castle from auctions. There is a legend, as if in the 70's. The last century, from the sarcophagus, where the remains of the earl lie, a strange liquid began to ooze. Drops ceased to flow only after returning to the castle of one of the icons previously sold. Then other exhibits from the collection of the count returned to the citadel.

The most romantic castle in Slovakia

Practical information

Bojnice Castle is open all year round. You can visit it from 9 am to 5 pm (from 1 May to the end of September) or from 10 am to 3 pm (from 1 October to the end of April). In summer and in September the castle works without days off, in the remaining months on Mondays visitors are not allowed.

Paid entrance. For the desire to take pictures or shoot video, you need to pay separately (2-5 EUR). Visit the Haunted Castle is only possible as part of the excursion group.

You can get to the town of Bojnice from Bratislava. In Bojnice there is a big balneo-mud resort, therefore the transport and hotel infrastructure is very developed. The castle is in the center of the city, it's best to rent a car for a trip.

Address: Slovensko, 972 01 Bojnice, Zamok a okolie, 1.

All prices are for September 2014

Bojnice Castle

Bojnice castle in the winter

Living room, Bojnice Castle

Golden Hall, Bojnice Castle

Fragments of the exterior, Bojnice Castle