Bruges, Belgium
c. 1240
Antwerp, Belgium
1561-1564
Antwerp, Belgium
1352
Ghent, Belgium
1313
Leuven, Belgium
1425-1497
Mechelen, Belgium
c. 1200
Ypres, Belgium
1304/1933
Mechelen, Belgium
14th century
Aalst, Belgium
1225
Dunkerque, France
1559-1567
Tournai, Belgium
1188
Mons, Belgium
1662-1669
Kortrijk, Belgium
1520
Tongeren, Belgium
1240
Binche, Belgium
16th century
Béthune, France
1346
Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
12th century
Oudenaarde, Belgium
1526–1537
Namur, Belgium
1388
Calais, France
1911-1925
The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.