Červený Kameň Castle

Červený Kameň was rebuilt in the 1530s by the Fugger banking family as a fortified warehouse and residence, with four huge corner bastions and, beneath them, brick-vaulted cellars built to store goods on a commercial scale, said to be among the largest such spaces in Europe. The Pálffy family, who acquired it in 1588, held it until the Second World War and furnished the upper rooms, which survive with painted ceilings, a chapel and a collection of furniture and weapons.

History

A stone castle was built in the 13th century, by Tiburtius Rosd or his descendants, as one of a chain of frontier castles from Pressburg to Žilina, and it was completely rebuilt as a fortress in the first half of the 16th century. The Pálffy family acquired it in 1588, completed the fortress and owned it until the Second World War, and it is now a museum (Wikipedia, Červený Kameň Castle).

What you'll find

• The cellars - vast brick-vaulted storage spaces beneath the bastions.
• The corner bastions - four massive artillery works from the 1530s rebuilding.
• The furnished rooms - Palffy interiors with painted ceilings and collections.
• The falconry - birds of prey flown in the grounds in season.

When to go

April to October is the main season; winter hours are shorter. Tours run to set times and book out at weekends. Falconry displays run in the warm months.

What to expect

Access is by guided tour on a fixed schedule and tours are in Slovak with printed translations. The cellars are cold in any season. Weekend tours fill and booking ahead helps.

Nearby

Smolenice is north, and Bratislava is southwest.

Key facts