Castle & fortressEastern Slovakia & Spiš

Brekov Castle: a hilltop ruin rescued by volunteers

Brekov Castle (Brekovský hrad) is a ruined Gothic and Renaissance castle on a cone-shaped limestone hill above the village of Brekov, about 4 km south-west of Humenné in east Slovakia. It is easy to spot from the road between Strážske and Humenné, and a short marked climb leads to cellars, a medieval kitchen and wide views over the Laborec valley.

Brekov Castle was twice smashed by armies and left to decay for centuries. Since 2007 volunteers, archaeologists and masons have been bringing the walls back, and the site is free to enter.

WhereAbove Brekov, near Humenné, Zemplín region, east Slovakia

TypeRuined Gothic and Renaissance hilltop castle (about 280 m above sea level)

Best forWalkers, history fans and families who like a short climb to a castle with volunteer-run care

Getting thereAbout 4 km south-west of Humenné; a marked footpath climbs from the village of Brekov

The history of Brekov Castle

The castle hill was used long before the stone castle. Archaeological finds show a small Slavic hill fort here in the early Middle Ages, and Slovak sources mention pottery and iron arrowheads from it. The stone castle itself dates from the second half of the 13th century, built to watch over the Laborec valley as part of a chain of strongholds along the old road between Hungary and Poland, together with Jasenov, Vinné and Čičva. It is first mentioned in 1307 as castrum Barko.

In the early 14th century the castle passed to the Drugeth family, who held it until 1486, apart from some interruptions. In the first half of the 15th century the fortifications were strengthened, and in 1466 the armies of King Matthias Corvinus and of his opponent, the Polish king Casimir IV, fought beneath its walls. In 1472 Matthias appointed Stephen Zápolya captain for the defence of north-eastern Hungary, and by 1488 he is recorded as castellan. The Zápolya family expanded and modernised the defences. According to the Hungarian Wikipedia, John Zápolya fled to the castle after the battle of Tokaj in 1527.

The 16th century brought conflict. In 1558 royal troops put down a noble revolt against Ferdinand of Habsburg, and the castle, whose owner had joined the opposition, was taken and partly demolished. Nicholas Drugeth had it rebuilt in 1575. The 17th century was harder still. The troops of Gabriel Bethlen occupied it, and in 1644 the army of George I Rákóczi captured it and almost completely destroyed it.

Only the living quarters were partly repaired afterwards. The wave of anti-Habsburg uprisings in the late 17th century, including the one led by Imre Thököly, ended the castle's life for good, and the Slovak Wikipedia says it was demolished at the end of Thököly's conspiracy in 1684. From then on it stood empty and decayed, leaving only wall remains.

For three centuries the ruin was left largely untouched, apart from small repairs in the 20th century. It was declared a cultural monument in 1963. A systematic effort began only after 2007, when a local association, Združenie na záchranu Brekovského hradu, started archaeological research and conservation with professional archaeologists, historians, architects and masons, together with volunteers, in cooperation with the municipality of Brekov and the monuments authorities. The work has included clearing vegetation and preserving the northern walls and courtyard gate of the Upper Castle and the 16th-century entrance gate of the Lower Castle.

Curiosities about Brekov Castle

A battle was fought right beneath the walls in 1466, when the army of Matthias Corvinus met the forces of the Polish king Casimir IV.
The ruin is maintained by a volunteer association, Združenie na záchranu Brekovského hradu, which has worked on it since 2007 with archaeologists, masons and local helpers.
The finds from the dig include a rich collection of late Renaissance stove tiles, and even older ceramics and iron arrowheads from a Slavic hill fort that stood on the same hill.
In the west part of the ruin you can still see a kitchen with an open hearth, a stone sink and a huge flue.
Every year on 31 December a New Year's Eve walk climbs from the village to the castle, with the option of visiting the castle wine cellar.
A summer festival at the castle, the Drugeth Castle Festival, brings swordsmen and period attractions to the hill.

Tours near Brekov Castle

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

Full-Day Tokaj Wine & Cellar Tour from Kosice

★ 5 (8 reviews) · 5 h

See details ›

Discover Kosice Walking Tour with Cathedral Stop

★ 5 (1 reviews) · 2 h

See details ›

Tour of Košice: Heart of European Culture and history! 3€ + tips

★ 1 (1 reviews) · 2.5 h

See details ›

The Eastern Slovakia Jewish Heritage tour

8 h

See details ›

Visiting Brekov Castle

The castle grounds are freely accessible. A marked path climbs from the village of Brekov and takes roughly 30 minutes up and 20 minutes down; information boards on an educational trail explain the site, including its archaeological finds.
Look for the walls of the Upper Castle standing up to three storeys, the gates, the passage that probably had a drawbridge, vaulted cellars and the kitchen with its open hearth and huge flue.
A small castle museum is open in the cellars under the castle during the summer season, with part of the finds on display. Check the current opening hours before you go.
From the top there are wide views of the Laborec valley. Jasenov Castle, a sister castle of the same estate, can be reached by a yellow-marked trail from Brekov, and it is only about 6 km away; Čičava Castle is about 7 km away.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Brekov Castle is

Photos of Brekov Castle

Questions

Where is Brekov Castle and how do you get there?

Brekov Castle stands on a hill above the village of Brekov, about 4 km south-west of Humenné in east Slovakia. A marked footpath climbs from the village in around 30 minutes.

How old is Brekov Castle?

The stone castle dates from the second half of the 13th century, and it is first mentioned in 1307. A small Slavic hill fort stood on the same hill in the early Middle Ages.

Is Brekov Castle open to visitors?

Yes, the castle area is freely accessible to the public. A small castle museum under the castle opens in the summer season, so check the current opening hours before you go.

What happened to Brekov Castle?

It was damaged and rebuilt several times: royal troops took it in 1558, Rákóczi's army almost destroyed it in 1644, and it was abandoned after the anti-Habsburg uprisings at the end of the 17th century.

Who looks after Brekov Castle today?

The castle belongs to the municipality of Brekov and has been looked after since 2007 by the volunteer association Združenie na záchranu Brekovského hradu, with archaeologists, historians and masons.

Are there other castles near Brekov?

Yes. Jasenov Castle is about 6 km away, linked to Brekov by a marked trail, and Čičava Castle is about 7 km away. All three belong to the chain of border castles of the Zemplín region.