SK: Znievsky Castle – The Guardian of Turca
Published: 27.11.2014
Today we go to see the ruins of the second highest standing castle in Slovakia. We will tell you about its history and walk around it.
On one beautiful day, we decided to have a nice trip. As we were in Turcianska Garden already, as Turcianska Basin is called by locals. We decided to visit any castle. As we have learned, there are couple of them in Turec. We decided to visit the one 500 meters above the town of Klaster pod Znievem.

Upon our arrival at the town, the district of Martin, we parked our car and walked up the hill. We walked along the green marked pavement. Pretty difficult hike that took us one hour we got to Znieva Mount (985 m) where the ruins are. Only some incomplete walls and windows were preserved. We saw the ruins really quickly. We took a look at the map. We learned that we are at the joint of two mountain ranges, the northern parth of the Ziar, going through a valley to join the Mala Fatra, in Luciany. When not much remained from Znievsky castle, its ruins emanated some kind of mystery. We were left strong impression in us of long basin with villages scattered around, fields, and fabulous peaks of the Velka Fatra. We breathlessly watched this beautiful panorama.




Finished feasting our eyes we wanted to feat our souls as well. We had a great book about castles in the Turiec Region with us. We found a pleasant place to read some texts from it. We had learned that the castle was built at 965 meters. First written mention dates back to 1243 and the castle had couple of owners. It was built by Ondrej, son of Ivanek of Bocskayova. Then the Thököly family had it and finally the Rákóczis. In the mid-18th century the castle started to decay and this state has lasted until this day. Znievsky castle is also called Turciansky castle yet this castle was supposed to be on even higher part of the mountain.



We skimmed the history of the castle and moved again to the observation platform. When enjoying the views we noticed a church tower hiding behind the trees. We moved towards it. Suddenly we entered a fenced compound dominated by the church of Holy Cross dating to 1728 and chapel. Those were part of the Calvary. We walked through it in an unordinary fashion, from up to the bottom. Also, we found interesting the memomrial of St Margita of Hungary, a princess and also a Dominican Order nun.

We gradually stepped down to the cemetery where our car was parked. The whole trip took us 3,5 hours. It was nice addition to our day.
Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút
Related Articles
Published: 18.5.2023
In today's journey, we will visit the Slovak town lying in the Turčianské Teplice, which is, in addition to the function of the district capital, an important spa, cultural, and historical center of the region. Come along with us to Turčianské Teplice.
Published: 10.10.2017
There is a beautiful town of Klastor pod Znievom under the northernmost peak of the Ziar mountains. Today we tell you more about this place and also we make a short trip to the surroundings.
Published: 4.2.2022
The Mala Fatra is a known and renown area. We hardly need to introduce it to you. This mountain range, along the High, Western, and Low Tatras, is considered one of the most beautiful and most visited mountain ranges in Slovakia. In the article today, we take you on a winter hike onto the main ridge of the Mala Fatra and its second highest peak of Maly Krivan.
Published: 13.10.2019
Today we visit Lower Turiec, more precisely the city of Turany, which lies less than 11 kilometers from the capital of Slovak culture - Martin.
Published: 23.1.2022
Beautiful Turčianska basin hides many picturesque places and natural beauty. One of them is the village of Sklené, which lies at the southern tip of the Turiec region in the Turčianské Teplice district.
Published: 14.10.2020
Today we set out to discover one picturesque, now extinct, Turčian settlement located in the northern part of the Žiar Mountains. However, before that we will stop for a moment in the village of Brieštie, which is located near the road II. class 519 (branch Slovenské Pravno) in the district Turčianské Teplice.
Published: 15.12.2015
Today we once again visit Turcianska Garden surrounded by monumental Mala and Velka Fatra. We also visit Strane, a neighborhood in Martin city. At the terminus of a public transport line there is a beautiful protected climbing road.
Published: 30.7.2015
The Mala Fatra mountains, north Slovakia, is a popular destination for holidaymakers. The Mala Fatra is mostly covered by dense forests, the highest mountains of this range are bare. Mincol is a well-known mountain of the Mala Fatra. The mountain is inseparable from the Lucanska part of the range.
Published: 25.3.2010
Martin is cultural as well as economical seat of Turiec, North Slovak Region. In 1994, the town was declared as Slovak Centre of National Culture. So, Martin became a very attractive target, not only for local tradition and its monuments.
Published: 26.7.2012
One of the most beautiful parts of Slovakia, is situated between the mountains Velká and Malá Fatra. From the north it bordered by a national cultural city of Slovaks – Martin and from the south by Turčianské Teplice, spa town. The area or region is called Turčianská kotlina (basin), in older sources known as Turčianská zahrádka (garden).
Published: 25.5.2023
After a week long break we return to Turcianske Teplice. Our walk was interrupted by rain last time. So our we found refuge in local cinema. After a while there were no more signs of rain so we could continue exploring the town.
Published: 4.5.2023
Turciany village, as a part of the region of Turca is being called, hides many natural beauties, folk traditions, and sights. Today we visit one of the largest villages in Turciany – Mosovce. They offer all three beauties at one place..
Published: 11.5.2023
After last walk in the town of Mosovce we visited sights, family houses, or an English park. Today we follow the steps of locals, visit one beautiful nature trail, and take a peak on trips to beautiful surroundings of the town.
Published: 31.10.2021
Only couple of days ago, we celebrated All Souls’ Day. We symbolically lightened candles at cemeteries, silently remembered people we loved. Today, we visit a cemetery. But today we will take you to the cemetery, but not any, but to National cemetery which is located in the town of Martin.
Published: 4.12.2014
Martin is the capital of the Turiec region. It is here where the institution, a pillar of culture in Slovakia and Slovak national consciousness resides, Matica Slovenska.
Published: 15.1.2015
The town of Vrutky is located on the meeting point of the Turiec and Vah rivers. Vrutky is not a large town but there is lot to do for tourists and it has also rich history. Lets join us to explore the town at the edge of Turcianska basin.
Published: 5.2.2015
A place great for relax and sports is at the edge of the city of Martin. Its Jedlovina Urban Forest, longtime place for relax, business meetings, tourism, or just hike in nature. We decided to visit it as well.
Published: 19.2.2015
Today we make a tour in the north-Slovakian city of Martin. In the first part, we introduce you to the places of public life, in the second part, we visit a historic center where we look at fascinating buildings and say something about history of institutes that reside there.
Published: 26.2.2015
Last week we saw some of the less known sites in Martin, we return to its historic center today.
Published: 1.6.2023
Once again, we visited Turcianska Garden on our journeys in Slovakia. This time we chose to see Slovakia’s most beautiful valley – Gaderska Valley.
Related Photogallery
Accept the invitation to take a walk in the now defunct settlement of Hadvig, which was founded b...
Please accompany us in this photogallery to the dominant peak of Lysec, which is distinguished by...
One of the largest core mountain ranges in Slovakia - High Fatra offers a plethora of hiking trai...
Less than 8 kilometers east of the town of Martin lies the village Turčianské Jaseno. Its surroun...
Through today's photo gallery we will take you to the Turčianska basin, which is known for its cu...
Today we will take you to the surroundings of the picturesque village of Socovce in the region of...
The bicycling season starts and we invite you to a small trip. We start our biking trip near the ...
Enjoy, together with us, a winter ascent to the Slovak national natural monument - the Klak Water...
Today we invite you to walk to the perhaps lesser known hill in the Turcianska Basin with the rui...
Our photogallery takes you to quiant Turcianska Valley with many amazing places. Klastor pod Znie...
A new tourist attraction was created a few years ago in the well-known locality of Martinské hole...
title="Turčianské Teplice" href=" http://en.infoglobe.cz/tips-for-trips/sk-turcianske-teplice-spa...
In the center of Turcianska Basin is picturesque village of Mosovce. The village offers an unus...
Two towns in one. This is how one cold name two historically important places in the north of Sl...
The town of Martin is located in the northern part of the Turiec Basin.It is surrounded by beauti...
Related Videos
Zniev, the northernmost peak in the Ziar mountains hides a castle ruin and you may find here a ca...