Spis Castle

Spis Castle is one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe, a vast ruined medieval fortress sprawled dramatically across a limestone hill above the plains of eastern Slovakia. A UNESCO site whose walls, towers and courtyards cover a huge area, it dominates the landscape for miles and offers a vivid sense of medieval power, best seen glowing at sunset.

What you actually see

• The vast ruins - the sprawling walls, towers and courtyards on the hill.
• The hilltop setting - the fortress dominating the surrounding plains.
• The keep and palace - the surviving core of the medieval castle.
• The wider region - the UNESCO Spis area of towns and the Zehra church.

When to go

The warm months for walking the extensive ruins and the hilltop; sunset lights the stone dramatically. A clear day suits the far-reaching views.

Honest expectations

It is a ruin, so it is walls, towers and imagination rather than furnished rooms, and the site is large with a fair climb. It is exposed on its hill to wind and sun. It is remote in eastern Slovakia, a real journey.

Nearby

The town of Levoca and the Spis region towns are nearby; Slovak Paradise is close.