Beckov Castle Hrad Beckov
DID YOU KNOW THAT ...
The etymology of the castles name is not precisely known, but one of the possibilities suggests the slavic word "Bludište" (to wander/a maze) reflecting the difficult terrain in the area. Another source claims that the name is derived from the jester Becko for whom the Duke stibor had the castle built. However it might be, the neighboring village has also acquired the name Beckov.
HISTORY
The national cultural heritage, Castle Beckov, has a longlasting history. One of the first written mentions come from the reign of the king Belo III. The chronicles mention "Castrum Blundus" (Castle Meanders) which was as the surrounding castle occupied by the Hungarians.
The castle is built on the Beckov cliff near the river and so served as a well defended strategic outpost. The castle became the property of Matúš Čák Trenčiansky at the turn of the 13h and 14th century and was further fortified under his rule. After his death in 1321, the castle was ran by castellans.
The most significant period in terms of development began in 1388 when Hungarian king Sigismund of Luxembourg donated the castle to a nobleman Stibor of Stiboricz - lord of Polish origin. Stibor controlled a significant part of Northern Hungary. From all the 31 castles in posession of Stibor, he chose Beckov as his home. He rebuilt the castle in the gothic style. Stibor also built a chapel with beautiful decorations and paintings, including the sculpture of the Black Madona made from rare arolla pine.
The castle was ran by the Stibors only until 1434 when Stibors son Stibor II. died and with him the family line. The castle went back into the hands of the kingdom and three years later king Sigmund presented the castle to Pavol Bánffy who's heirs would be later known as Bánfffys.
After the battle of Mohács in 1526, where the Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the Ottoman empire, the Bánffy family rebuilt the castle into a renaissance fortress.
The castle was defended against the attack of the Tatars in 1599. Following the death of Kristof Bánffy, the castle was turned into a prison and a barracks. A fire destroyed the roofs and interior in 1729 and turned it into ruins.
The castle was introduced as a Slovak national heritage site in 1970. And the renovations started in the late 20th century.
CURRENT SITUATION
The castle is open to tourists either individually or in a group with a guide. In terms of the guided option the tour takes about 45 minutes and can be also organized in different languages if given notice ahead.
- Beckov 180, 916 38 Beckov, Slovakia
