Spiš Castle

Spiš Castle

A castle that fills a hill

In eastern Slovakia, a long whaleback ridge of pale limestone rises above the surrounding plain — and the entire top of it is covered by the vast ruins of Spiš Castle. One of the largest castle complexes in all of Central Europe, its white walls, towers and baileys sprawl across the hilltop, glowing in the sun and visible from many kilometres away. Approaching it across the countryside, travellers can hardly believe how big it is.

Centuries of building

A castle was first built on this ridge in the 1100s, and over the following centuries it grew and grew. Rulers and noble families kept adding new walls, towers, courtyards and palaces, expanding the fortress down the slope of the hill in a series of walled enclosures, or baileys. By the late Middle Ages it had become the enormous complex whose ruins we see today.

The castle guarded the region of Spiš, an important area on the trade routes of the medieval kingdom of Hungary, of which this land was then a part. Its great size and strong position made it one of the most powerful fortresses in the kingdom.

Surviving the Mongols

One of the castle's proudest moments came in the 1240s. A terrifying Mongol army had swept across Hungary, destroying towns and castles and slaughtering many people. But the strong walls of Spiš Castle, high on its ridge, are said to have withstood the Mongol attack, sheltering those inside when so much else was being laid waste. This success encouraged the building of more great stone castles across the land.

Noble families and fire

Over the centuries Spiš Castle was held by a succession of powerful noble families who ruled the surrounding region from its halls. They lived in grand style within the upper castle, with chapels, palaces and fine rooms, while soldiers and servants filled the lower baileys.

In the 1700s, however, a great fire swept through the castle and gutted it. By then it was no longer needed as a fortress, and rather than rebuild the enormous complex, its owners abandoned it. Slowly it fell into the magnificent ruin it is today.

A protected wonder

Far from being forgotten, the ruins of Spiš Castle are treasured as one of Slovakia's greatest monuments, protected by UNESCO together with the historic towns and churches nearby. Archaeologists have studied it, and parts have been restored and made safe for visitors, while much is left as romantic, windswept ruins.

Visiting today

Visitors who climb the ridge to Spiš Castle can wander through bailey after bailey, explore the restored upper castle and its tower, and enjoy breathtaking views over the Slovak countryside in every direction. A small museum displays finds from the site and tells the long story of the fortress. Vast, white and spectacularly set on its limestone ridge, Spiš Castle is one of the great giants of stone of Central Europe.