Kaštiel (Chateau) in Markušovce

The community is situated at banks of Hornád-river, inside Hornád Valley, in south-east direction, about 6 kms distant from the town of Spišská Nová Ves. Frank Mariassy let this chateau built in 1643. The interiors were used not only as a seat of proprietors, but also as humanistic school, founded by Pavel Mariássy in 1567. The object is characteristic with their ring-shaped towers on the corners, attics and stone windows, arranged in rhytmical way.

In 1745, the original owners finished a construction of new objects inside chateau area. The respective arrangement was undergone with two supplementary buildings, placed along both parts of the chateau. Nevertheless, nearly 30 years after its existence, the attention of the owners was concentrated to its complete renovation. Their imtention was to change chateau face, from Renaissance style into Rococco one. So, from this reason, an imitated windows´ line was created, and so, an optical decrease of high Renaissance attic, and an appearance of three floor building was created.

As the number of representative rooms was unsufficient, the construction of Dardanelles-villa was started in 1778. The main reason for the building was a fact that a visit of Emperor Joseph II. was expected. However, the visit was not realized, so the proprietors stopped the works. Nevertheless, later, within 1970-1980, some break period came, when lateral wings, according to original project, were terminated.

Inside the interior, an original Renaissance arrangment, including central staircase in a hall, were preserved. From there, it is an access to each room in groundfloor. You can find there barrel vaults with lunettes and monastery vaults with rich stucco decorations. Ceremony hall of summer villa is beautified with vault, containing Rococco decorations. The inside space of lateral wings is finished with staircase and furniture coming of 1970. Nevertheless, the original chateau arrangement was preserved till now, irrespective of many changes in Rococco style. Renaissance loopholes were preserved on corner bastions. The exhibition of historical, especially of Neo-classical furniture could be admired there by public. Dardanelles summer-villa is known especially through the exhibition of historical key musical instruments and concerts which are taken place there from time to time.

The surroundings of the community, situated at the edge of Slovak Paradise, offers unique nature terrains, including excursion possibilities to Levoča and Volovec Hills.

Text/photo: Karin Bogschová

Source: flickr.com