📜 Explore the dramatic ruins of Vrsatec Castle, a medieval fortress perched high above Vršatské Podhradie in the White Carpathians, Slovakia.
🏰 Delve into centuries of history, from its 13th-century origins to its eventual destruction, all while enjoying breathtaking vistas.
🏞️ Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding White Carpathians and the Middle Považie region
🚶♀️ Discover accessible hiking trails, including an educational path, leading to the picturesque ruins
📚 Immerse yourself in the rich history of a strategic border fortress and its captivating legends
🧐 Explore the remains of both the upper and lower castle, including tower ruins and rock-cut features
⚠️ Access to the upper castle is restricted due to the danger of falling parts
🚧 Some trails may be rocky, which could be challenging for strollers or those with limited mobility
🚗 Drive through Vršatské Podhradie and continue uphill on a narrow asphalt road
🅿️ Find a small parking area on the right side of the road, opposite the short ascent to the castle
🚶♂️ The walk to the lower castle is easy and takes about 10 minutes from the parking area
🗺️ Follow the educational trail 'Okolo Vršatce – koruny Bílých Karpat' for a scenic route
👑 Founded around 1244 after the Mongol invasion, the castle served as a crucial defense for the northwestern border of Hungary
⚔️ Throughout its history, it changed hands between powerful families like Matúš Čák and Stibor of Stiborice, enduring numerous sieges
🔥 The castle was twice burned, first by Imperial troops in 1680 and again in 1707 during Rákóczi's uprising, leading to its final ruin
🏗️ The upper castle, built on the highest point of the rock, featured a watchtower and residential spaces, with access via rock-cut stairs
🛡️ The more extensive lower castle included a fore-castle, bastions, a Renaissance palace, guardhouse, stables, bakery, and granary
🧱 Today, only parts of the perimeter walls of the lower castle and minimal remnants of the upper castle remain visible
🐉 The Dragon of Vršatec: A young man slayed a dragon terrorizing the area, earning him the surrounding land and the right to build a castle.
🦁 Lion's Rock: The castle is said to be named after a brave youth who killed a lion that escaped and threatened the villagers, saving his beloved.
🦶 The Faithful Castellan: During a Tatar invasion, Castellan Ondrej Budiač cut off his own leg to free his lord, Imrich, from chains, a deed honored by the king.