Plavecky Castle
Slovakia
The Plavecký Castle, subject of many legends, is the most important attraction of the western slopes of the Small Carpathian Mountains (Malé Karpaty).
It used to serve as the royal frontier fort built in the years 1256-1273. In the second half of the 16th century it was reconstructed with big investments into a perfect Renaissance fort. Imperial troops damaged the castle in 1707 and it gradually changed into ruins. Its tower, the remains of the palace of the upper castle and large bastions of the lower castle survived.
The ruins of the castle standing on a steep hill (400 m/1,312 ft) at the foothills of the Small Carpathian Mountains represent an impressive silhouette and favorite destination of trippers. Not far away from the castle is the cave Plavecká jaskyna, part of the local karstic area. The neighboring mountain Pohanská contains the rests of a Celtic fort.
