Uhrovec Castle

Location on map - Uhrovec Castle
Region: Region Trenčín (Trenčiansky kraj)
District: Bánovce nad Bebravou
City / Municipality: Uhrovec
Tourist location: Nitra - Upper Nitra (Horná Nitra)
Mountains:Strážov Mountains (Strážovské vrchy) Nitrické vrchy
Uhrovec Castle
Uhrovec Castle is a relatively large castle, located in the district of Bánovce nad Bebravou in Trenčín region near the village Uhrovské Podhradie. It was built in the 13th century. Although the castle is currently a ruin, architecturally it is one of the most valuable castles in Slovakia. Its construction is attributed to the Trenčín mayor Báš, who owned extensive property in the area.

During its history, the castle changed owners several times. It was more times in royal ownership and owned by the most important and richest magnates of Hungary. Its owners were, among others, Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, King Karol Róbert, King Žigmund of Luxembourg, Štibor from Štiborice and Beckov, Pongrác from St.  Nicholas.

In 1530, the castle estate was acquired by Uhrovec Peter, called Doktor de Zylagy, who was the administrator of the royal revenue. In the middle of the 16th century,  František Zay of Čemer became the owner of the castle, to whom King Ferdinand I assigned the castle estate. However, he had to compensate the widow of Peter  Doctor, who invested in the reconstruction of the castle. From this period, the Zay family became the owners of the castle.

Although the castle was not the center of fighting in the Middle Ages and was not destroyed by the Turkish invasions, its ruin has been preserved to this day only. The reason was the remote location of the castle and the fact that the owners leaved it in the 18th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Zay family had the roof repaired, but it was torn down by a storm. In 1848 the castle burned down and began to fall into disrepair.

The restoration of the castle is carried out by the Civic Association Uhrovec Castle , the aim of which is to stop the process of castle degradation, rehabilitate and preserve the most endangered and rarest parts of the castle, complete vaults, roofs and restore architectural details.

Foto: Tibor Hanko