Zvolen Castle

Zvolen castle was built between 1370 and 1382 for Louis the Great as a hunting residence on the Italian model, a rectangular block round a courtyard rather than a fortified hilltop, which is unusual in Slovakia and reflects what it was for. Later bastions were added when the Ottoman frontier came close. It now holds part of the Slovak National Gallery, with painting and sculpture in the restored rooms, and a painted ceiling of emperors' portraits.

Background

Before this castle, the seat of the region was Pustý hrad, a 12th century castle on a steep cliff above the meeting of the Slatina and Hron rivers. Its difficult access led to the move here. Mary of Anjou, later queen regnant, and Sigismund held their wedding at Zvolen in 1385. About 1500 the outer defences gained four round bastions and a gate, and Italian masons took part in a Renaissance rebuilding in 1548. The chapel was remade in Baroque style in 1784, the last major rebuilding. The gallery's old European masters include paintings by William Hogarth, Paolo Veronese and P. P. Rubens. The castle also has a tea room.

Source: Wikipedia, "Zvolen Castle"

The main sights

• The royal palace - a 1370s block round a courtyard, built as a hunting residence.
• The emperors' ceiling - a coffered ceiling of painted portraits in the great hall.
• The gallery collection - Slovak National Gallery holdings in the restored rooms.
• The bastions - later fortification added against the Ottoman frontier.

When to go

April to October is the main season; winter hours are shorter. The gallery closes on Mondays. Summer brings concerts in the courtyard.

Things to know

The interiors are a gallery rather than a furnished castle. Labelling is mostly in Slovak. The town around is workaday.

Nearby

Banska Bystrica is north, and Svaty Anton is southwest.

Key facts