The dominant of Trenčín as well as the whole Váh Valley guards the ancient trade routes connecting the Mediterranean area with the Baltic and northern Europe. The Trenčín Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe. The historic Hotel Elizabeth is exceptional for its attractive location directly under the medieval castle, in the centre of the city of Trenčín. From Hotel Elizabeth, an easy 10-minute walk will take you straight to the Castle.
Serving as the administrative centre of the region, a fortified settlement was standing in the place of the current Castle in the period of Great Moravia. Today's Castle originated in the 11th century as the border fortress guarding the important Váh ford crossings and significant Carpathian passes leading the trade routes, connecting the northern Hungary and central Slovakian mining cities with Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and Poland.
In the late 13th century, the Castle became the property of Mathias Csaky, who owned almost 50 castles and became the legendary Lord of the Váh River and Tatry Mountains. The highest Mathias' Tower provides a beautiful view of a great part of the Váh Valley. The following owners of the Castle continued to gradually upgrade and rebuild it according to their own ideas.
King Louis of Anjou added a new palace - Louis' Palace, where you can now admire the historic period furniture from the 17th to 19th centuries. Sigismund of Luxembourg donated the Castle to his wife, Barbora of Celj, having built the Barbora's Palace for her. In the late 15th century, the Castle, along with the city, was acquired by Stephen Zápolya who begun extensive redevelopments. The Zápolya's Palace is the newest palace of the Trenčín Castle.
In the following centuries, it became the seat of the border committee, for the royal and later aristocratic county. Nowadays, the exhibition spaces and several stands of the Trenčín Museum are located among its ancient walls.
For more information see www.muzeumtn.sk
