Levoca, Spiš Castle

Levoca, Spiš Castle

Spiš Castle was first built in 1209 and is the largest castle in Slovakia. It was originally constructed as a royal fortress on an important trade route to the Baltic Sea.

Spiš Castle is situated on a limestone cliff 634 metres above sea level and boasts a long and eventful history. In the 13th century, the castle was destroyed by the Tatars; it was later rebuilt in the 15th century, only to be ravaged by fire in 1780. Today, the impressive ruins that remain include Gothic towers, a church, dungeons, and a Romanesque palace. Spiš Castle is not only scenic but also preserves a wealth of medieval heritage, particularly from the Gothic period. The second part of the historic settlement is Spišská Kapitula, which was established as an independent ecclesiastical town.

Lastly, mention should be made of the small village of Žehra, home to the Gothic Church of the Holy Spirit. The church houses exquisite Gothic frescoes. Today, Spiš Castle serves as a museum and is itself a museum exhibit, continually telling its story to visitors. It invites people to read its history, admire the preserved ruins, and marvel at its grandeur.