Spiš Castle

On Sunday afternoon (June 15), after our second hike in Slovak Paradise up to Tomášovsky, we drove for lunch to Spišská Nová Ves, a historic city in the Spiš region which we had visited previously (last May) with Janka, Marian, and Livka.  

We had a delicious meal in an outdoor seating area of a restaurant right across from this historic church.  

Our next destination was the biggest castle complex in Slovakia (and one of the biggest in Europe), Spiš Castle.  An ancient fortress was first founded on this hill in the 5th century B.C., and the Celts also settled here around the turn of the millennium.  

At the gates to Spišský Hrad / Spiš Castle  (pronounced "speesh")  The  castle here was first constructed in the 12th century, and like most castles here, there were additions in various architectural styles throughout the following centuries.  

We listened to recorded information with these audio guides on lanyards.  At each location, there was a numbered sign, so we'd punch the number into our devices and listen to the corresponding narrative.  It was much better than reading the English brochure, because we could look around while listening.  

Looking through one of the stone openings onto the walled areas below.  This castle was entirely made of stone, so it was never captured and destroyed.  

Susan and Marian taking in the views from up in the castle.  

Tim admiring the views which kings once enjoyed here at Spiš Castle.  

On the right are the remains of a Romanesque palace built atop walls that plummet 40 meters below.  What views there would have been from the upper windows!!   

This tower was built in the 12th century as a storage facility, and as a final refuge in case of attack.  The walls at the bottom are up to 3 meters thick.  We walked up the original spiral staircase along the inside of the tower walls, to the rooftop terrace.  Built for smaller people back then, the staircase was a little claustrophobic!!  

Looking down from the tower at the Gothic chapel and the Romanesque palace remains.  

The surrounding countryside is beautiful, with tree-lined roads criss-crossing the fields, and forested mountains in the distance. 

The walls just below on this side were once part of a Renaissance reconstruction the original Gothic palace, and the distant walls were part of the fortifications around the castle.  We walked all around the lower perimeter to the two guard towers at the far end. 

On the top of the tower, overlooking the Spiš region.  

More of the ruins of the Gothic palace below the guard tower.  

There were several paragliders flying around the castle and catching the wind.  They seemed to be riding in a kayak-like sling of some sort, probably for stability.  

Tim said this might be the closest he gets to the Great Wall of China experience, as we walked around on this stone pathway near the top of the perimeter walls around the castle grounds.  To me, it seemed more like in the Wizard of Oz!  It was easy to imagine guards walking along here doing rounds as they protected the nobility within the palaces.  

Another view through a castle window, showing the thickness of the stone walls.  

These columns are remnants of a 17th century defensive palisade, then a dry ditch (behind Tim) with a drawbridge, all protecting the castle gate.

It's a long hike up to the castle from the parking area below.  It was a fascinating tour, and we learned a lot about the legends and history of the castle.  

Our final destination was Levoče, a very historic walled city in the Spiš region, where we planned to see the largest and most famous of the altars created in the 1500's by Master Paul.  When we were here with Janka and Marian a year ago, the church was closed for renovation, and unfortunately on this day, we were too late for the last tour, so we still haven't seen this significant altar!  In the distance is the pilgrimage church that we visited the other time we were here.  

But the town square is beautiful, so we walked around, then stopped for coffee and hot chocolate at a café/bar on the square.  

Our weekend with Susan and Marian was fabulous in every way, and we were so thankful for Marian in planning all the details of the trip.  We think maybe he could have a second career as a tour director!!   :-)