Castle & fortressBratislava & Western Slovakia

Oponice Castle: a ruined Apponyi fortress above Oponice

Oponice Castle (Oponický hrad) is a ruin on the western spur of the Tribeč mountains, above the village of Oponice, about 15 km north of Nitra in western Slovakia. First recorded in 1300, it passed through several noble families and was left to decay after 1645. It is a good short stop for anyone exploring the hidden castles around Nitra.

Oponice Castle was abandoned in 1645 after two brothers of the Apponyi family quarrelled over the estate for more than thirty years – and in the 21st century volunteers rebuilt one of its fallen towers.

WhereAbove the village of Oponice, on a western spur of the Tribeč mountains, western Slovakia

TypeMedieval castle ruin, rebuilt in the late Renaissance; national cultural monument

Best forRuin hunters, walkers and anyone who likes castles off the usual tourist routes

Getting thereAbout 15 km north of Nitra; a marked path leads up from the car park to the right of the manor house in Oponice

The history of Oponice Castle

The castle was founded at the end of the 13th century, and its first written mention dates from 1300. The Csák family, the powerful magnates of the region, are considered its founders and first owners. Some time later the castle changed hands several times. After the death of Matthew Csák in 1321 it passed through other owners: in 1329 it belonged to Nicholas Gutkeled, from 1389 to Dezider Kaplay, and from 1392 to Nicholas, the founder of the Apponyi family, who gave the castle its long-term owners.

In 1430 Hussite troops conquered and damaged the castle, but it was repaired quickly. Over time its glory faded and it fell into the hands of ever poorer owners. After 1542 it belonged to Benedikt Apponyi, who started Renaissance alterations, but money problems and quarrels with co-owners prevented a fast or radical rebuilding. The big late Renaissance changes came only in the first half of the 17th century, when the owners needed a safe refuge from the Turkish danger. They were started by Pavol Apponyi, a royal councillor and head of Tekov county. Thanks to its modern fortification the castle withstood Turkish raids.

The medieval castle was turned into a more residential, fortified home. From the oldest building phase, the torso of a round tower and the perimeter wall in the highest part of the castle have survived. A ditch and a simple polygonal wall with many loopholes for handguns surrounded the castle until the end of the Middle Ages. The defence was improved by a massive bastion with a three-quarter-round plan about fifteen metres across, with five gun ports. During the 17th-century rebuilding the owners extended the living quarters, and since the cramped core did not allow big new buildings, they converted the older gun bastion into rooms and added buildings in the outer ward and in the ditch. One of them was a representative north-east palace with a large hall on the top floor, whose main facade faced the village below.

The castle's end came not from enemy guns but from family quarrels. Disputes over the Apponyi property between two brothers had dragged on since 1612, and in 1645 the owners left the castle for good and moved down to the lower grounds. The highest tower of the small castle, originally projecting, has not survived, and the rest of the complex gradually fell into ruin. After the Second World War the castle was well looked after until the 1960s and hosted events such as Oponice Majalis, but later it became overgrown with bushes and trees. In 2000 the Apponiana Civic Association was founded to preserve the castle as a regional landmark. Since then its members have cleared the vegetation, slowed the decay and rebuilt the collapsed south-western tower, known as Tereš.

Curiosities about Oponice Castle

A dispute over the Apponyi estate between two brothers, begun in 1612, is named as one of the reasons for the castle's decline; the owners left for good in 1645.
The south-western tower, known as Tereš, had collapsed, and a civic association rebuilt it in recent years.
The castle ruins include a bastion with a three-quarter-round plan fifteen metres across, with five gun ports.
After the Second World War, the castle hosted events such as Oponice Majalis until the 1960s.
The Apponiana Civic Association, founded in 2000, is named after the family that owned the castle for centuries.
The castle is protected as a national cultural monument, and Wikidata places the start of construction around 1300.

Tours near Oponice Castle

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

5-Course Small-Group Bratislava Food Tour with Local Guide

★ 5 (47 reviews) · 3.5 h

See details ›

Military Guns Shooting Experience with GunMates Bratislava

★ 5 (44 reviews) · 2 h

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Bratislava Off the Beaten Path Tour - recommended also by Rick Steves

★ 5 (36 reviews) · 2 h

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Private Day Trip to Banska Stiavnica Unesco Site

★ 5 (32 reviews) · 10 h

See details ›

Visiting Oponice Castle

A marked path leads to the castle from the car park to the right of the manor house in the village of Oponice.
Of the ruins, the bare perimeter walls around the courtyard remain, with a large fortification tower and parts of the castle palace and farm buildings that can still be recognised.
The best-preserved part of the circuit wall is on the west side, with a massive corner bastion; the newest building, the Apponyi palace from the 16th century, is also clearly visible.
There are no official details here on facilities or opening hours; check current conditions before you go.
Other places in this guide nearby include Gýmeš Castle (about 6 km), and Zobor Abbey and the Zobor transmitter (about 12 km).

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

Map: where Oponice Castle is

Photos of Oponice Castle

Questions

Where is Oponice Castle and how do you get there?

Oponice Castle stands on the western spur of the Tribeč mountains above the village of Oponice, about 15 km north of Nitra. A marked path leads up from the car park to the right of the manor house in the village.

How old is Oponice Castle?

It was founded at the end of the 13th century, and the first written record dates from 1300. It was rebuilt in the late Renaissance style in the 17th century.

Who owned Oponice Castle?

The Csák family are considered its founders and first owners. Later owners included Nicholas Gutkeled and Dezider Kaplay, and from 1392 the founder of the Apponyi family, who owned it for centuries.

Why was Oponice Castle abandoned?

The Apponyi owners left it for good in 1645 and moved to the lower grounds. Disputes over the family property between two brothers, which had dragged on since 1612, contributed to its decline.

What can you see at Oponice Castle today?

The ruins consist of bare perimeter walls around the courtyard, a large fortification tower, a massive corner bastion on the west side and parts of the palace and farm buildings.

Has the castle been restored?

Partly. Since 2000 the Apponiana Civic Association has cleared overgrowth, slowed the deterioration and rebuilt the collapsed south-western tower, Tereš.