Zniev Castle

The ruins of the medieval Zniev Castle, the second highest castle in Slovakia, rise 985 m above sea level above the village of Kláštor pod Znievom. There is a marked hiking trail from the village. The climb takes just over an hour, is difficult and quite tiring. However, the ruins offer a beautiful panorama of the Turczańska Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges.

The castle was built on top of the limestone mountain of Zniev as the oldest stronghold in the Turiec Basin. It was established in the 12th century, although it was first mentioned in a document issued in 1243 in the office of the Hungarian king Bela IV. In another, slightly later document, mention is also made of the builder of the castle, Andrzej, son of Iwanek.

In 1681, the castle was burnt down by Count Thököly's army, and in 1705 by Count Rákoczy's army. These events meant that in the eighteenth century it began to slowly desolate and finally turned into a ruin.