Oponice Castle Ruins, Oponice, Slovakia

Oponice Castle was probably built in the second half of the 13th century by son Peter from the Csák clan. The castle was first mentioned in 1300 as 'Oponh'. Until the death of Máte Csák of Trencsén in 1321, Oponice Castle guarded part of his wide domain in the central Nitra area. The castle was later administered by the royal exchequer until it was passed in 1392 into the hereditary possession of Nicholas Ewres, founder of the Apponyi dynasty.

The castle was expanded and its defenses strengthened, particularly during the threat from Ottoman Turkey, allowing it to withstand enemy onslaughts. Unfortunately, a family dispute over land dating from 1612 meant the end of the castle, punctuated by a fire in 1645 which caused the castle owners to finally abandon it. From time to time the castle was used by the Kurucs, Hungarian insurgents fighting the Habsburgs, until Imperial forces conquered it and had the castle demolished in the early 17th century. The castle's aristocratic tradition remained bound to the Apponyis, who maintained and preserved it until the death of the final descendant from this family, Henrich Apponyi, in 1935.

The castle’s distinct silhouette covers the preserved gun bastion and northeast Renaissance castle up to the third floor.

References:

Region Nitra

User Reviews

Samuel Košík (3 years ago)
One of the best looking ruin, all thanks to the people taking care of it. Thumbs up!

Dávid Turčan (4 years ago)
Oponice castle is a very nice ruin in the Tribeč mountains. Easy hike with beautiful views. Some sections of the castle are more difficult to reach or slightly dangerous. Definitely worth visiting!

Mike Carter (4 years ago)
Fun structure to explore. No safety.

mirka amrit (4 years ago)
Located in the village of Oponice,easy hike,not too steep,not too long.It is a ruin but worth visiting.The view from the top is great .I recommend to combine this trip with visiting the famous Oponice library inside of the Oponice chateau located not far away or the Oponice museum.The Oponice chateau has a nice park,a cafe and one can actually get room and wellness services there as well.

David Cano (4 years ago)
Worth to visit. Like many castles in SK needs some reparation works to make it more attractive.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Oponice Castle Ruins

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral