Považský hrad
Encyclopedia
Považský hrad is a ruin of medieval castle on the right side of the river Váh
, near Považská Bystrica
in Slovakia
.It is thought to be the essential part of silhouette of Považie and Upper Váh region
especially. It is built on a cliff 497 meters above sea level. It was one of the most important castles guarding the valley of the river Váh
. At the peak of its fame it was home of around 400 people. It is famously known as an "eagles nest" of the important noble family of Podmanitzky
.
, also a celtic coin was found on the hill. The exact year of establishment of the Bistrizza castle is not known, but it is assumed that it might have been around 1128 AD. There are doubts that the castle in those times might have been made of wood because of the presence of two other wooden castles in present day Slovakia
. For the shift from wooden castle is probably responsible Béla IV
, after the invasions of Batu Khan
. However, the first written reference is from 1316, closely connected to Matthew Csák. The next holder of the castle was county
judge Alexander Héderváry. Together with his son Mikulas, they ruled from 1325 to 1354. From 1354 the castle belonged to Pavol Ugali, chancellor of ex-county judge. During last few years of the 14th century, King Sigismund
gave the fortress to palatine Sudivoj, but the owner was quickly changed, and from 1400 to 1425 it belonged to Ctibor of Beckov. Then it became the possession of a king.
In 1458 Matthias Corvinus of Hungary
donated the castle, the town and 16 surrounding villages to Ladislav Podmanitzky
for his devotion to him, preceded by violent death of his father Anton Podmanitzky
in the service of the king. His diligent work for the ruler prepared a good position for his sons and great upsurge of his possession.
His sons had important roles in the future of middle Europe. Jan Podmaniczky
became the Archbishop of Zagreb and personal mentor of Vladislas II. His brother Stefan Podmanitzky
became Archbishop of Nitra
, he coronated both János Szapolyai and Ferdinand I
as the kings of the country, but later he took the Habsburgs' side due to their stretching influence around Nitra
. He was one of the leaders of the Counter-Reformation
in the times when Martin Luther
's influence just started to reach the country. His third son Michal Podmanitzky
became chamberlain of King Louis II. He with his brother Stefan participated in the Battle of Mohács
, from which he never returned. He left three daughters and sons Jan and Rafael.
After the Battle of Mohács
in 1526, the country was divided between two kings, János Szapolyai and Ferdinand I
. This dispute used Jan Podmanitzky
and his brother Rafael Podmanitzky
to gain power in the region; Považský hrad was the centre of their influence. They took the side of János Szapolyai although most of the region was under control of the Habsburgs. Possession of Podmanitzky
, with a hard centre Považský hrad withstood attacks of king's army led by Katzainer, to whom Trencin
gave up in the summer of 1528, but they even gained new possessions around Lednica
. They were famous for their successful raids all around the region. In those times they were limitless rulers of the region; the whole northern part of the county, under their reign, was independent from the rest of the county controlled by Ferdinand I
. In the 1530s they became involved in the fight against Protestant family Kostka. For their involvement they were given the manor of Vesprim. They split up in 1537 to create their own manors, leaving Rafael in the region and Jan creating Vesprim manor, but they both still continued with their raids. In 1542 their raids were issued on the king's court. After settling down the possession matters with Kostka, they accepted the results. A great fire started in 1543 which devastated the castle but his owner invested great effort to rebuilding it. After the great burn out of his "eagle's nest" Rafael did not feel safe, so he made an agreement with Habsburgs. Probably the best characterization of Raffael was by Jozef Kocis, author of several books about castles in Slovakia
," Raffael Podmanitzky was no worse but no better than the others living in those times. He was only much stronger." After his conversion he fully dedicated his time to his manor. His loyalty was approved when he was named governor of the northern part of Trencsén County region. The end of their rule came with his death in 1558. His gravestone is still placed in Považská Bystrica
. In the grave of Rafael a silver club was discovered from which a chalice was made. This was (in 1901) still in possession of the church. The chalice has the following inscription: "ARCUM SZUCSA SOLIS AEQUARI CURAVIT FERDINANDUS L 1528". The marble monument of Rafael Podmanitzky in Považská Bystrica
is of interest because it has an inscription all around in old Slovak language it says "LETA PANIE TISICEHO PIETISTEHO PADESATEHO OSMEHO PRWNI STRZEDU W PUSTIE UMRZEL GEST UROZENY PAN RAFFAEL PODMANITZKY Z PODMANINA JEHOZ DUSSY PAN BUOH MILOSTIW RACZ BIETI ". The monument is on the right side wall of the Roman Catholic Church not far from the “Galerie”. It depicts a very tall man in full armor. The facial features are clearly chiseled in the stone.
In 1560 the castle was donated to Gašpar Serédi. After his death his wife married Ondrej Balassa. The castle was shelter for the Balassa
family during an uprising of Francis II Rákóczi
against the Habsburgs. The castle, due to its well-built fort, resisted.
Because of a lack of luxury, the Balassa
family moved from the castle to the mansion below the castle cliff.
The place was then used during the rebellion against Leopold I
, so to prevent more rebellion the emperor ordered the castle to be destroyed. It was burned by his troops in 1698. This might be the reason of lack of documentation for the establishment of the castle.A great earthquake came at 8 PM on 15 February 1858 AD. During this night a tower of castle's prison fell.
From this moment the castle was left of peoples interest until it was bought in 2007 by Považská Bystrica
and voluntary organization "Zdruzenie na zachranu Povazskeho hradu " did not start essential reparations on it.
roof belonged in times of his fame to one of biggest well-fortified buildings of that kind. The ground plan of the building has a fid
shape. The entrance to the castle was protected by an entrance tower, a barbican
and two bastion
s, parts of a strong wall through which the castle crew protected themselves in case of danger. The ground floor of the tower was used as a storage place for munitions. Here was probably also a secret gate through which people from the castle were supplied in cases of attack, when the main entrance was built-in. On the northern side there was a cuboid tower, used as a prison. On the east of the tower there was a main gate for carriages. A few metres ahead was a warehouse of cannons, next to them houses of nobles and a chapel. These parts are nowadays most devastated. On the southwest there were flats, and under them other warehouses, granary, kitchens and pantries. The castle had three floors. The water supply was ensured by underground wooden pipes from the well Sklepita. The remains of these pipes were found in the early 20th century. In front of the castle was a moat
. Sandstone
and limestone
were used as building materials.
, important water route and to protect border of the country.
meet. It is the motorway D1 and barnch A of fifth corridor of Pan-European railway corridor
.
Every first day of a year, a new year's walk to the castle is organised.
. In written form in " Malebna cesta dolu Vahom ", from Alojz Mednansky. The castle was, with its famous rulers Ladislav
& Rafael Podmanitzky
, often the theme of legends and narratives.
manor house
called Burg
. Order to build the manor was given by Szigmund Balassa. Building works on the manor started in the first third of the 17th century and were finished 1631, when family moved from Castle. Last owner was baroness
Popper
, who supported reconstruction of the manor until after the World War I in 1919 it became possession of the state. Later it was bought by private company.
manor called Szaparyovsky kastiel
, built in 1676 probably by Peter Szapáray. In the interior of the manor was a chapel and school used by common people from neighbourhood. Nowadays manor is left to dilapilate.
In the vicinity of the manors was a cemetery
with gravestones of Balassa
family and garden with plants brought from around the world. Nowadays there are few remnants of the past fame of these manors.
, which was coincidentally brought to Povazske Podhradie on abandoned flatboat during floods in 1784. After the floods the statue was placed on the place of its founding with five lindens around. However after some time lindens grew together forming one massive linden-tree. From this point people started to idolize the linden with the statue as a wonder of nature until the linden was cut down during the building of new man-made basin of the river Vah
.
Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. It was built in 14th century by Jan Podmanitzky. It was rebuilt in 1940 to satisfy the need for capacity, leaving only presbytery
, tower and the northern part of the walls of the old church. Nowadays paned windows were designed by famous Slovak artists Vincent and Viera Hloznik. In the entrance hall of the church is the gravestone of Rafael Podmaitzky
, Szigmund Balassa and his wife Alzbeta Zborowska.
mansion lies few kilometres away, but still in the municipality of Povazska Bystrica
in Orlove. It was again built by Szigmund Balassa in 1612, but because of the fire in 1618 it was rebuilt in 1733 in the baroque
style.
called Manínska tiesňava
. There is a nice view on the canyon from the castle.
Váh
The Váh is the longest river in entire Slovakia. A left tributary of the Danube river, the Váh is 406 km long, including its Čierny Váh branch...
, near Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica is a town in northwestern Slovakia. It is located on the Váh river, around 30 km from the city of Žilina. It belongs to Upper Váh region of tourism.- Profile :...
in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
.It is thought to be the essential part of silhouette of Považie and Upper Váh region
Upper Váh region
Upper Váh region is the tourism region in the north-west of Slovakia, because of its beautiful countryside it is one of the most visited regions in Slovakia...
especially. It is built on a cliff 497 meters above sea level. It was one of the most important castles guarding the valley of the river Váh
Váh
The Váh is the longest river in entire Slovakia. A left tributary of the Danube river, the Váh is 406 km long, including its Čierny Váh branch...
. At the peak of its fame it was home of around 400 people. It is famously known as an "eagles nest" of the important noble family of Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
.
History
The first settlement of the castle cliff is dated to Púchov culturePúchov culture
The Púchov culture was an archaeological culture named after site of Púchov-Skalka in Slovakia. Its probable bearer was the Celt Cotini tribe. It existed in northern and central Slovakia between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE...
, also a celtic coin was found on the hill. The exact year of establishment of the Bistrizza castle is not known, but it is assumed that it might have been around 1128 AD. There are doubts that the castle in those times might have been made of wood because of the presence of two other wooden castles in present day Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. For the shift from wooden castle is probably responsible Béla IV
Béla IV of Hungary
Béla IV , King of Hungary and of Croatia , duke of Styria 1254–58. One of the most famous kings of Hungary, he distinguished himself through his policy of strengthening of the royal power following the example of his grandfather Bela III, and by the rebuilding Hungary after the catastrophe of the...
, after the invasions of Batu Khan
Batu Khan
Batu Khan was a Mongol ruler and founder of the Ulus of Jochi , the sub-khanate of the Mongol Empire. Batu was a son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan. His ulus was the chief state of the Golden Horde , which ruled Rus and the Caucasus for around 250 years, after also destroying the armies...
. However, the first written reference is from 1316, closely connected to Matthew Csák. The next holder of the castle was county
Comitatus (Kingdom of Hungary)
A county is the name of a type of administrative units in the Kingdom of Hungary and in Hungary from the 10th century until the present day....
judge Alexander Héderváry. Together with his son Mikulas, they ruled from 1325 to 1354. From 1354 the castle belonged to Pavol Ugali, chancellor of ex-county judge. During last few years of the 14th century, King Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
gave the fortress to palatine Sudivoj, but the owner was quickly changed, and from 1400 to 1425 it belonged to Ctibor of Beckov. Then it became the possession of a king.
In 1458 Matthias Corvinus of Hungary
Matthias Corvinus of Hungary
Matthias Corvinus , also called the Just in folk tales, was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458, at the age of 14 until his death...
donated the castle, the town and 16 surrounding villages to Ladislav Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
for his devotion to him, preceded by violent death of his father Anton Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
in the service of the king. His diligent work for the ruler prepared a good position for his sons and great upsurge of his possession.
His sons had important roles in the future of middle Europe. Jan Podmaniczky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
became the Archbishop of Zagreb and personal mentor of Vladislas II. His brother Stefan Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
became Archbishop of Nitra
Nitra
Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...
, he coronated both János Szapolyai and Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
as the kings of the country, but later he took the Habsburgs' side due to their stretching influence around Nitra
Nitra
Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...
. He was one of the leaders of the Counter-Reformation
Counter-Reformation
The Counter-Reformation was the period of Catholic revival beginning with the Council of Trent and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648 as a response to the Protestant Reformation.The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort, composed of four major elements:#Ecclesiastical or...
in the times when Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
's influence just started to reach the country. His third son Michal Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
became chamberlain of King Louis II. He with his brother Stefan participated in the Battle of Mohács
Battle of Mohács
The Battle of Mohács was fought on August 29, 1526 near Mohács, Hungary. In the battle, forces of the Kingdom of Hungary led by King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia were defeated by forces of the Ottoman Empire led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent....
, from which he never returned. He left three daughters and sons Jan and Rafael.
After the Battle of Mohács
Battle of Mohács
The Battle of Mohács was fought on August 29, 1526 near Mohács, Hungary. In the battle, forces of the Kingdom of Hungary led by King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia were defeated by forces of the Ottoman Empire led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent....
in 1526, the country was divided between two kings, János Szapolyai and Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
. This dispute used Jan Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
and his brother Rafael Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
to gain power in the region; Považský hrad was the centre of their influence. They took the side of János Szapolyai although most of the region was under control of the Habsburgs. Possession of Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
, with a hard centre Považský hrad withstood attacks of king's army led by Katzainer, to whom Trencin
Trencín
Trenčín is a city in western Slovakia of the central Váh River valley near the Czech border, around from Bratislava. It has a population of more than 56,000, which makes it the ninth largest municipality of the country and is the seat of the Trenčín Region and the Trenčín District...
gave up in the summer of 1528, but they even gained new possessions around Lednica
Lednica
Lednica is a lake and surrounding protected landscape area in Poland, in Greater Poland Voivodeship, located between Poznań and Gniezno. It is known for annual youth meetings that take place in early June. These religious events last for two days...
. They were famous for their successful raids all around the region. In those times they were limitless rulers of the region; the whole northern part of the county, under their reign, was independent from the rest of the county controlled by Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
. In the 1530s they became involved in the fight against Protestant family Kostka. For their involvement they were given the manor of Vesprim. They split up in 1537 to create their own manors, leaving Rafael in the region and Jan creating Vesprim manor, but they both still continued with their raids. In 1542 their raids were issued on the king's court. After settling down the possession matters with Kostka, they accepted the results. A great fire started in 1543 which devastated the castle but his owner invested great effort to rebuilding it. After the great burn out of his "eagle's nest" Rafael did not feel safe, so he made an agreement with Habsburgs. Probably the best characterization of Raffael was by Jozef Kocis, author of several books about castles in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
," Raffael Podmanitzky was no worse but no better than the others living in those times. He was only much stronger." After his conversion he fully dedicated his time to his manor. His loyalty was approved when he was named governor of the northern part of Trencsén County region. The end of their rule came with his death in 1558. His gravestone is still placed in Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica is a town in northwestern Slovakia. It is located on the Váh river, around 30 km from the city of Žilina. It belongs to Upper Váh region of tourism.- Profile :...
. In the grave of Rafael a silver club was discovered from which a chalice was made. This was (in 1901) still in possession of the church. The chalice has the following inscription: "ARCUM SZUCSA SOLIS AEQUARI CURAVIT FERDINANDUS L 1528". The marble monument of Rafael Podmanitzky in Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica is a town in northwestern Slovakia. It is located on the Váh river, around 30 km from the city of Žilina. It belongs to Upper Váh region of tourism.- Profile :...
is of interest because it has an inscription all around in old Slovak language it says "LETA PANIE TISICEHO PIETISTEHO PADESATEHO OSMEHO PRWNI STRZEDU W PUSTIE UMRZEL GEST UROZENY PAN RAFFAEL PODMANITZKY Z PODMANINA JEHOZ DUSSY PAN BUOH MILOSTIW RACZ BIETI ". The monument is on the right side wall of the Roman Catholic Church not far from the “Galerie”. It depicts a very tall man in full armor. The facial features are clearly chiseled in the stone.
In 1560 the castle was donated to Gašpar Serédi. After his death his wife married Ondrej Balassa. The castle was shelter for the Balassa
Balassa
Balassa is a Hungarian surname and may refer to:* Bálint Balassa, Hungarian poet * Balint Balassi Memorial Sword Award, Hungarian literary award* Béla Balassa, Hungarian economist who gave his name to the Balassa-Samuelson effect...
family during an uprising of Francis II Rákóczi
Francis II Rákóczi
Francis II Rákóczi Hungarian aristocrat, he was the leader of the Hungarian uprising against the Habsburgs in 1703-11 as the prince of the Estates Confederated for Liberty of the Kingdom of Hungary. He was also Prince of Transylvania, an Imperial Prince, and a member of the Order of the Golden...
against the Habsburgs. The castle, due to its well-built fort, resisted.
Because of a lack of luxury, the Balassa
Balassa
Balassa is a Hungarian surname and may refer to:* Bálint Balassa, Hungarian poet * Balint Balassi Memorial Sword Award, Hungarian literary award* Béla Balassa, Hungarian economist who gave his name to the Balassa-Samuelson effect...
family moved from the castle to the mansion below the castle cliff.
The place was then used during the rebellion against Leopold I
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
| style="float:right;" | Leopold I was a Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and King of Bohemia. A member of the Habsburg family, he was the second son of Emperor Ferdinand III and his first wife, Maria Anna of Spain. His maternal grandparents were Philip III of Spain and Margaret of Austria...
, so to prevent more rebellion the emperor ordered the castle to be destroyed. It was burned by his troops in 1698. This might be the reason of lack of documentation for the establishment of the castle.A great earthquake came at 8 PM on 15 February 1858 AD. During this night a tower of castle's prison fell.
From this moment the castle was left of peoples interest until it was bought in 2007 by Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica is a town in northwestern Slovakia. It is located on the Váh river, around 30 km from the city of Žilina. It belongs to Upper Váh region of tourism.- Profile :...
and voluntary organization "Zdruzenie na zachranu Povazskeho hradu " did not start essential reparations on it.
Building
The castle with shingleShingle
Shingle can refer to:*A flat covering element for a roof, including**Shake , a wooden shingle that is made from split logs**Roof shingle, a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements...
roof belonged in times of his fame to one of biggest well-fortified buildings of that kind. The ground plan of the building has a fid
Fid
A fid is a conical tool made of wood or bone. It is used to work with rope and canvas in marlinespike seamanship. A fid differs from a marlinspike in material and purpose. A marlinespike is used in working with wire rope, may be used to open shackles, and is made of metal. A fid is used to hold...
shape. The entrance to the castle was protected by an entrance tower, a barbican
Barbican
A barbican, from medieval Latin barbecana, signifying the "outer fortification of a city or castle," with cognates in the Romance languages A barbican, from medieval Latin barbecana, signifying the "outer fortification of a city or castle," with cognates in the Romance languages A barbican, from...
and two bastion
Bastion
A bastion, or a bulwark, is a structure projecting outward from the main enclosure of a fortification, situated in both corners of a straight wall , facilitating active defence against assaulting troops...
s, parts of a strong wall through which the castle crew protected themselves in case of danger. The ground floor of the tower was used as a storage place for munitions. Here was probably also a secret gate through which people from the castle were supplied in cases of attack, when the main entrance was built-in. On the northern side there was a cuboid tower, used as a prison. On the east of the tower there was a main gate for carriages. A few metres ahead was a warehouse of cannons, next to them houses of nobles and a chapel. These parts are nowadays most devastated. On the southwest there were flats, and under them other warehouses, granary, kitchens and pantries. The castle had three floors. The water supply was ensured by underground wooden pipes from the well Sklepita. The remains of these pipes were found in the early 20th century. In front of the castle was a moat
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
. Sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
and limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
were used as building materials.
Past
The castle was built on the cliff above Považské Podhradie. His main function was to protect the valley of the river VáhVáh
The Váh is the longest river in entire Slovakia. A left tributary of the Danube river, the Váh is 406 km long, including its Čierny Váh branch...
, important water route and to protect border of the country.
Present
Underneath the castle two important routes in SlovakiaSlovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
meet. It is the motorway D1 and barnch A of fifth corridor of Pan-European railway corridor
Pan-European corridors
The ten Pan-European transport corridors were defined at the second Pan-European transport Conference in Crete, March 1994, as routes in Central and Eastern Europe that required major investment over the next ten to fifteen years. Additions were made at the third conference in Helsinki in 1997...
.
Organisation
An organisation called " Zdruzenie na zachranu Povazskeho hradu " was established in 2008 to protect the county's heritage from being destroyed. It collects money for repair of the castle and organises repair workshops on the castle. However there are still problems with finacing of the repairs.Every first day of a year, a new year's walk to the castle is organised.
Art
The castle has appeared in many pictures, including works of well-known Slovak author Imro Weiner-Kráľ, German author Ludwig Rohbock or Gaspar BouttatsGaspar Bouttats
Gaspar Bouttats, the younger brother of Frederik Bouttats and uncle of Philibert Bouttats, was born at Antwerp about the year 1625, and died there in 1703. He engraved chiefly for the booksellers, and some few plates after different masters. They are principally etched, and some finished with the...
. In written form in " Malebna cesta dolu Vahom ", from Alojz Mednansky. The castle was, with its famous rulers Ladislav
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
& Rafael Podmanitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
, often the theme of legends and narratives.
Vandalism
In spite of the great effort of people for whom the destiny of the country's heritage is not vacant, there are still several cases of vandalism on the castle. That is why the castle lacks an information board and places for rest during the walk to the castle.Burg
Underneath the Castle, on the south, there is a RenaissanceRenaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
called Burg
Burg Povazska Bystrica
Burg is a manor-house underneath the castle Považský hrad, on the south. Order to build the manor was given by Simon Balassa. Building works on the manor started in the first third of the 17th century and were finished 1631, when family moved from Castle...
. Order to build the manor was given by Szigmund Balassa. Building works on the manor started in the first third of the 17th century and were finished 1631, when family moved from Castle. Last owner was baroness
Baroness
Baroness is the female equivalent of the nobility title Baron.Baroness or The Baroness may also refer to:* Baroness , a metal band from Savannah, Georgia* Baroness , a fictional villain in the G.I...
Popper
Popper
Popper may refer to:* Jalapeño popper, a type of food* Poppers, the family of drugs that are a subset of a class of chemicals known as alkyl nitrites* Poppers, a brand of frozen food owned by Heinz...
, who supported reconstruction of the manor until after the World War I in 1919 it became possession of the state. Later it was bought by private company.
Lower Manor
Few meters away, on the east, lower, there is RococoRococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
manor called Szaparyovsky kastiel
Manor Povazske Podhradie
Szaparyovsky kastiel is a manor house on the east, lower from Burg and below the castle Považský hrad in Považská Bystrica municipality. Built was in 1676 probably by Peter Szapáray. In the interior of the manor was a chapel and school used by common people from neigbourhood. Nowadays manor is left...
, built in 1676 probably by Peter Szapáray. In the interior of the manor was a chapel and school used by common people from neighbourhood. Nowadays manor is left to dilapilate.
In the vicinity of the manors was a cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
with gravestones of Balassa
Balassa
Balassa is a Hungarian surname and may refer to:* Bálint Balassa, Hungarian poet * Balint Balassi Memorial Sword Award, Hungarian literary award* Béla Balassa, Hungarian economist who gave his name to the Balassa-Samuelson effect...
family and garden with plants brought from around the world. Nowadays there are few remnants of the past fame of these manors.
Kostol Svateho Ladislava
Next to the lower manor lies the Church of Saint Ladislaus, built in 1843. Building works lasted for 18 years. A fire gutted the church in 1888, but it was renewed in 1929. In the premises of the church is statue of John of NepomukJohn of Nepomuk
John of Nepomuk is a national saint of the Czech Republic, who was drowned in the Vltava river at the behest of Wenceslaus, King of the Romans and King of Bohemia. Later accounts state that he was the confessor of the queen of Bohemia and refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional...
, which was coincidentally brought to Povazske Podhradie on abandoned flatboat during floods in 1784. After the floods the statue was placed on the place of its founding with five lindens around. However after some time lindens grew together forming one massive linden-tree. From this point people started to idolize the linden with the statue as a wonder of nature until the linden was cut down during the building of new man-made basin of the river Vah
Váh
The Váh is the longest river in entire Slovakia. A left tributary of the Danube river, the Váh is 406 km long, including its Čierny Váh branch...
.
Kostol Navstivenia Panny Marie
Three kilometres away in the town's centre was a GothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. It was built in 14th century by Jan Podmanitzky. It was rebuilt in 1940 to satisfy the need for capacity, leaving only presbytery
Presbytery (architecture)
The presbytery is the name for an area in a church building which is reserved for the clergy.In the oldest church it is separated by short walls, by small columns and pilasters in the Renaissance ones; it can also be raised, being reachable by a few steps, usually with railings....
, tower and the northern part of the walls of the old church. Nowadays paned windows were designed by famous Slovak artists Vincent and Viera Hloznik. In the entrance hall of the church is the gravestone of Rafael Podmaitzky
Podmanitzky family
The Podmanitzky family was an influential noble family in the Kingdom of Hungary. They originate from the little village Podmanín near Považská Bystrica, Slovakia....
, Szigmund Balassa and his wife Alzbeta Zborowska.
Manor Orlove
Another RenaissanceRenaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
mansion lies few kilometres away, but still in the municipality of Povazska Bystrica
Považská Bystrica
Považská Bystrica is a town in northwestern Slovakia. It is located on the Váh river, around 30 km from the city of Žilina. It belongs to Upper Váh region of tourism.- Profile :...
in Orlove. It was again built by Szigmund Balassa in 1612, but because of the fire in 1618 it was rebuilt in 1733 in the baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style.
Manínska tiesňava
On the opposite bank of the river Váh, there lies narrowest canyon in SlovakiaSlovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
called Manínska tiesňava
Manínska tiesňava
Manínska Gorge is a national nature reserve, and the narrowest canyon in Slovakia.It lies in the Súľov Mountains, from Považská Bystrica. It is a place of great tourist interest, because of its wild and rare flora and fauna.- External links :*...
. There is a nice view on the canyon from the castle.
Links
- 360° view of Povazsky hrad castle
- Website of the town hall of Považská Bystrica
- Video report about the castle by Slovak television STV
- Website of organisation dealing with castle
- Website with pictures from workshops
- Website containing information about Podmanitzky family
- Photo gallery of the castle