Bor Castle was built in the mid-13th century. Švamberk family owned it until 1650. originally a medieval moated castle, it was altered in an extensive late Gothic reconstruction and later in the 18th century to the current appearance. It has been a popular tourist destination since opening to visitors in 2003. Tour begins on the ground floor, next to the ticket office, and includes the diamond-vaulted Švamberk Hall with a display of period costumes and weapons, St Lawrence Chapel, chateau picture gallery, rooms, as well as a climb up 117 steps to a lookout tower.
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.