Sklabiňa Castle

Although Sklabina Castle is not visible from a distance like most ruins, it is one of the easily accessible ones. It is crouched in the Veľká Fatra forest on a hill above the villages of Sklabiňa and Sklabinský Podzámok at an altitude of 624 m above sea level. You will not find a parking lot at the castle, the easiest way is to leave the car on the side of the road at the top of the hill above Sklabiňa, or a little further on the bend at the exit to Sklabinský Podzámok. From both places it is a few minutes easy walk.

The castle dates back to the first half of the 13th century. From 1328, the castle housed the Turiec County.

Later, the building was owned by the Révay family continuously from 1527 to 1914. For the partisan actions of the Second World War, the German army took revenge by burning down the castle manor house and the village of Sklabinský Podzámok. Gradually, the castle was reconstructed thanks to volunteers and since 2000 it has been leased by the Donjon Civic Association.

All reconstructions began with the cleaning of the castle from airborne greenery, because the castle looked like the castle of Sleeping Beauty. They also managed to reconstruct the northern bastion. An educational route with ten stops will take you through the castle, which will take you to the highest point of the entire ruin. From this point, it is also beautiful to see Katova skala, which stands out above the village of Sklabinský Podzámok. To facilitate the passage, there is a new 20-meter wooden staircase next to the castle, which will take you safely to the other side of the courtyard.

Castle festivities are held annually at Sklabina Castle. There you will meet people in period costumes, learn historical dances and enjoy cannon shots. Children will also be interested in period stalls with folk crafts and refreshments.

If you go on a trip on a normal day, you won’t find these things here. At the beginning of the castle near the farm building, however, there is a nice variety of herds of grazing goats, which are used to people and also let themselves be petted. But you have to be careful, after all, they are animals.

In November 2023, a fire engulfed the roof of the historic building, which is used for overnight stays by people working on the restoration of the castle. After the fire, commented tours and planned events were canceled for some time.

This castle has great potential to become one of the most visited in the Turiec Basin. How can you help this? Maybe even by your visit to Sklabina Castle.

You can see the exact route here.

Text: Bc. Veronika Šimková

Photo: archive of S-NPVF