Castle & fortressBratislava & Western Slovakia

Vršatec Castle: a ruined fortress on the Vršatec rocks

Vršatec Castle (hrad Vršatec, in German Burg Löwenstein) is a ruined rock fortress on the Vršatec crag above the village of Vršatské Podhradie in the White Carpathians. Founded in the 13th century to guard the north-western border of Hungary, it is a short walk from the village and a fine hidden gem in the Trenčín region.

Burned by imperial troops in 1680, rebuilt, then blown up on purpose in 1707: Vršatec Castle was destroyed twice, and today volunteers are saving what the fires left.

WhereAbove Vršatské Podhradie, White Carpathians, Trenčín region

TypeRuined rock castle of the 13th century

Best forHikers, ruin explorers and photographers who like rocky viewpoints

Getting thereOn foot from Vršatské Podhradie, about 10 minutes from the bus stop along a marked trail

The history of Vršatec Castle

The ridge above today's Vršatské Podhradie was inhabited long before any castle appeared. Archaeological traces point to people of the Lusatian and Púchov cultures, and from the 9th to the 10th century Slavic tribes lived here. The castle itself was built in the 13th century, after the Mongol invasion, as part of the line defending the north-western border of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its core was an upper castle with an inner tower, the main defensive structure of the whole complex. Perched on a steep rock crest, it could watch over the Váh valley.

At the end of the 13th century the castle became part of the estate of Matthew III Csák of Trenčín. In the 1390s it was acquired by Stibor of Stiborice, one of the great magnates of the age. In the 15th century the castle was extensively reconstructed, and in 1439 the first written mention of the settlement below it appears, then called Podhradhye. Later the stronghold passed through several hands, belonging to Queen Barbara, her daughter Elizabeth and to lesser nobility. Its estate also included the villages of Bohunice, Červený Kameň, Pruské, Krivoklát, Tuchyňa, Výčapy and Mikušovce.

More changes were made to the castle in the 17th century, but by then it was slowly falling out of favour. The nobility increasingly preferred residences in lower, more comfortable places, above all the manor house in Pruské. The end came in the turbulent years around 1700. In 1680 the imperial army burned the castle on the orders of Emperor Leopold I, and according to German sources insurgents had retreated there. It was rebuilt, but in 1707, during the uprising of Francis II Rákóczi, it burned again, and imperial troops deliberately destroyed what was left with explosives.

The owners never attempted another reconstruction, and the castle has been a ruin ever since. Today local volunteers work to conserve the ruin and to make it accessible. The ruins stand in the Vršatské bradlá, a rocky landscape in the White Carpathians, and form part of a ridge that can be followed on foot further on to the castle of Lednica.

Curiosities about Vršatec Castle

The German name Löwenstein and the Hungarian name Oroszlánkő both mean “lion stone”, although the Slovak name Vršatec has a different origin.
The upper core castle is reached from the lower outer bailey through a tunnel cut through the rock.
The castle was destroyed twice within about 30 years: burned in 1680, and burned again in 1707, when imperial troops also blew up the ruins on purpose.
From the castle ridge, a trail runs along the crest all the way to the castle of Lednica.
The slopes were settled by people of the Lusatian and Púchov cultures centuries before the castle was built.
The village below the castle is first mentioned in 1439 as Podhradhye, which means roughly “below the castle”.

Tours near Vršatec 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

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Visiting Vršatec Castle

From the bus stop in Vršatské Podhradie it takes about 10 minutes on foot to reach the ruins along a marked trail.
The core castle stands on the highest part of the rock crest, and a tunnel through the rock leads up from the lower outer bailey.
Walkers can continue along the ridge to the castle of Lednica, so the ruin works well as part of a longer hike.
The ruin is looked after by local volunteers, so sections may be fenced or under repair. Check the current conditions before you go and wear sturdy shoes.
The sources do not give opening times or facilities at the site.

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

Map: where Vršatec Castle is

Photos of Vršatec Castle

Questions

Where is Vršatec Castle and how do you get there?

Vršatec Castle stands on a rock crest above the village of Vršatské Podhradie in the White Carpathians, in the Trenčín region. From the bus stop in the village it is about 10 minutes on foot along a marked trail.

Why is Vršatec Castle also called Löwenstein?

Löwenstein is the German name of the castle, used in German-language sources. In Hungarian it is called Oroszlánkő, and the Slovak name is Vršatec.

When was Vršatec Castle built?

The castle was built in the 13th century, after the Mongol invasion, to defend the north-western border of the Kingdom of Hungary.

What happened to Vršatec Castle?

Imperial troops burned the castle in 1680. After a rebuilding it burned again in 1707 during the Rákóczi uprising, and soldiers deliberately destroyed it with explosives.

Who owned Vršatec Castle?

Owners included Matthew III Csák at the end of the 13th century and Stibor of Stiborice in the 1390s. It later belonged to Queen Barbara, her daughter Elizabeth and to lesser nobility.

Can you hike from Vršatec Castle to another castle?

Yes. A trail along the mountain ridge continues from the castle to Lednica Castle.