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Orava Castle is one of the dominants of Orava and the most important monuments of castle architecture in Slovakia.

Orava Castle

Orava Castle is one of the dominants of Orava and the most important monuments of castle architecture in Slovakia.

One of the biggest tourist attractions in northern Slovakia is the Orava Castle, built on a rock above the river Orava in Oravský Podzámek as an "eagle's nest". They began to build the castle on the site of an old wooden castle after the Tartar invasion in 1241. From the originally small fortress from the 13th century, an extensive castle complex was created over the following centuries, which today has 154 rooms. In the past, it was a county castle and the seat of the Orava Castle Estate. He owned almost all of Orava. The buildings and interior of the castle bear the features of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern styles. The castle is still a living complex, the development of which has not stopped to this day.
Orava Castle consists of a series of buildings following the shape of the castle hill and the hill. In 1556 it fell into the hands of the Thurz family, who carried out its most extensive reconstruction. Orava Castle got its present form in 1611.
After the extinction of the Thurz family, he had several owners who did not care much for him. The biggest catastrophe hit the castle in 1800, when it burned down and became unnecessary for its administrators. Extensive reconstruction work to save the castle was not started until after the Second World War.

Today, the castle grounds form a remarkable complex of Lower, Middle and Upper castles with palaces, fortifications and towers. Visitors will be interested in the connection of the three entrance gates with the tunnel, under which there are underground corridors.
There are several exhibitions in the Orava Castle. In the oldest premises of the Upper Castle - in the Citadel - there is an archeological exposition and a Mediatheque, which maps audiovisual works that were shot at Orava Castle. An interesting part of the show are the ethnographic and scientific exposition. The historical exposition consists of a system of medieval and renaissance castle buildings and their period furnishings. Visitors are attracted by the Chapel of St. Michala and Klenotnica Oravského hradu, which are situated in the Lower Castle.
Very popular are the night tours of the Orava Castle during the main tourist season, diversified by theatrical performances and scary scenes.

Additional information

Transport: By foot, By bike, By car, By train, By bus
Parking: Free parking nearby

Accepted payments: Cash
Languages: Slovak

Suitable for: Childrens, Families with childrens, Elderly, Young, Adults
Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Updated on: 22.8.2021

Opening hours

Weather

january - march
monday - sunday:
09:00 - 15:30
may
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 17:00
june
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 17:30
july - august
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 18:00
september
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 17:00
october
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 16:00
november - december
monday - sunday:
09:30 - 15:00
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Opening hours

Weather

january - march
monday - sunday:
09:00 - 15:30
may
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 17:00
june
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 17:30
july - august
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 18:00
september
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 17:00
october
monday - sunday:
08:30 - 16:00
november - december
monday - sunday:
09:30 - 15:00


Contact

Phone: +421 43 581 6151
Website: oravskemuzeum.sk
Orava Castle
Oravský hrad
027 41  Oravský Podzámok
Region: Žilinský
District: Dolný Kubín
Area: Orava
 49.261833, 19.358573

Oravský hrad
027 41  Oravský Podzámok

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