Bojnice – Slovakia’s Romantic Castle of Spirits

May 29, 2023 by admin

Perched above an artificial pound, clinging to a nook, is a grand romantic monument, one that can’t decide if it wants to be Gothic or Renaissance. From it innards emerge a series of soaring round spires plastered onto rectangular contraptions hosting beautiful arched windows. This is Bojnice, one of Europe’s most impressive castles and one of Slovakia’s most popular attractions.

Arrival at the Castle

Entering the castle from the direction of the town of Prievidza by car, you will find a parking lot just south of castle. Before you enter the castle there is a zoo that can be accessed, it is one of the largest in Slovakia and may be of interest if you have kids. Alternatively make a brief stop at the the King Matthias Linden Tree, dating nearly 700 years old, it is thought to be one of the oldest trees in Slovakia. It is under this tree that Matthias Corvinus wrote many of his royal decrees. You can also visit the Bojnická rotunda, on a second pond. In the distance you will find the Strážov Mountains park.

The entrench to the castle itself is located on the north side and will require a brief walk around the structure, here you will find the barbarian and gate house as well as a stone fountain.

Tours Available for Purchase

There are several ways to visit the castle, both conventional and non traditional. For more information or to book a tour online you can click on the following link Bojnický zámok | Bojnice Castle | Múzeum Bojnice.

Castle and Cave Tour – The classic tour
Pálffy Tour – Tour Focusing on the castle’s most famous ruling family
Hunyadi Tour – Tour focusing on the castle’s medieval years of the castle and the way noble people of the 19the century imagined life looked like in the Middle Ages. The focus is on the Corvinus family and their relation with the Hunyadi’s, a famed Hungarian family with ties to Vlad the Impaler.
Childrens Tour – Titles say’s it all
Castle by Night – Literally what it sounds like, pretty cool!

Legends and Spooky Stories

There are a few classic spooky legends related to the castle, here are the best known ones.

The Legend of the Black Lady – The virtuous lady of the castle, she was accused of infidelity by some jealous relatives. To test of her virtue the lord had to jump from the castle’s highest tower into the moat… with their newborn child. If she died she was guilty, and if she lived, she was innocent. A crowd of villagers gathered and she jumped, sure of her innocence. She floated up, proving her innocence and disappeared, but so too did as all of the vile relatives go up in smoke. It has been said that she wanders the halls and stairs of the castle, dressed in black, a ghost for a castle of spirits.
The Story of Peter Poky – Petr Poky was the head of the servants. A greedy man he charged locals to use the natural mineral springs spa that had once been free, after building a wall around it. One day an old man appeared and asked to be let in. Petr Poky set the dogs on him and was in turn cursed by the old man “that all his gold pieces would turn to black stones and that he would be executed for his evil”. When the lord of the manor found out about his profiteering, he was put to death. There are records of Petr Poky being drawn and quartered in the castle in 1496.
Legend of a Broken Heart – I can not find information about this one, and I did not hear it while visiting. When I find out more I will fill this section in.

A Brief History of Bojnice

Dating as far back as 1113, it was originally the property of the Kings of Hungary before falling into the hands of the noble and warlord Matthew III Csák in 1302. It returned into the hands of royalty again in the 15th century when it was a favourite of the legendary Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, from whom the Linden tree is named after. The castle later passed to the Zápolya family.

The castle would begin to take shape under the Thurzós in 1528. This wealthy landowning family would remodel the structure in renaissance style. They were succeed in 1646 by the castle’s most famous owners, the Pálffys. Proprietors until the early 20th century, it is they would would transform the castle into its glorious appearance, taking inspiration from the Loire castles of yesteryear. Most of these changes took place under Count Ján Pálffy, the last noble to own the castle.

Under communism, the castle was confiscated, but in this rare instance the castle did not fall into neglect and ruin unlike so many other monuments during this period. It turns out that the communist officials really enjoyed visiting the castle for conferences and as such were quick to invest. Funny how things work sometimes.

Exploring the Castle

You will start your visit in the castle courtyard before making your way inside. One for the first rooms you will visit is a portrait gallery, so that you may familiarize yourself with its former residents. You will find a weapons room nearby.

You will later have access to the roof where great view of the town and mountains can be had!

On the upper floors of the castle you will find the castles lavish living quarters.

In the picture below, you will find my favorite room with its stunning mosaic floor.

The castles central halls are dedicated to the castles gothic and neo gothic architecture and art.

This includes a display if medieval stone works and statues.

The last parts of the tour will take you deep into the Pálffy family quarters with its stunning stained glass windows.

Unfortunately the Ján Pálffy has planned on much of their art collection going into a public museum after his death but his squabbling relatives were able to siphon off must of these artifacts and pawned them for cash. Ján’s passion had been collecting antiques and art and as such this was a big blow. What does remain of his work are reflected in these castle themselves where the walls are adorned in fine patterns.

Be sure to see his bedroom and its gilded bed before you leave!

One of the most impressive aspects of the castle is the Pálffy Chapel, this church wing showcases the best of the castles baroque renovations.

One of the last rooms that you will visit in the actual castle area is actually a crypt. Located below the main structure, not far to the entrance to the underground tunnel, you will find the Pálffy tomb, dedicated to the late owners of the castle! The sarcophagus belonged to Ján Pálffy.

Before you leave the castle, you will traverse an underground passageway that connects with the castle well with its secret underground source.

Here you will see the castle well and its deep shaft. Don’t look down!

Before you leave, do enjoy the view of the castle from the lower pond. It is simply magnificent.

Conclusion

There are few, if any, man made places as stunning as this castle, and yet it remains fairly unexplored by western tourists. This is probably a good thing as the Slovaks adore this place and will quickly fill up the parking lot. Although it may be hard to get to for those of you staying in the capital, Bratislava, the remote regions of Slovakia have much to offer such as the village of Čičmany and I hope that the allure of this castle is enough to force you into exploring the region.