The journey through Slovakia's most magnificent castles should begin with the monumental Spiš Castle, whose massive silhouette towers over the surrounding area. This impressive fortress, first mentioned as early as 1120, once served as a key border fortress. Not only is Spiš Castle one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe, it was also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. As you stroll through the vast courtyards and chambers, you can enjoy the Spiš Museum's exhibitions, which explore the castle's history, medieval weaponry and feudal law. Of particular interest is the castle chapel with Gothic frescoes from the 15th century, which are among the most valuable monuments of sacred art in Slovakia.

Unfortunately, a tragic fire in 1780 consumed much of the complex, leaving picturesque ruins that today are one of Slovakia's most recognizable skylines. For families with children, there is a special didactic trail Sivá Brada - Dreveník, which presents the history and natural curiosities of the area in an accessible way.

The next point of our trip is the mysterious Orava Castle, which like an eagle's nest rises on a steep limestone rock, towering 112 meters above the Orava River. Erected in the 13th century by the Hungarians as a frontier fortress, this monumental structure consists of three parts corresponding to different periods of construction: the lower, middle and upper castle. Each of the more than 150 chambers tells a different story, and the whole creates a fascinating journey through the centuries. Interestingly, the castle has served as the setting for iconic film productions, including the 1922 silent horror film 'Nosferatu - A Symphony of Horror' and the 1979 film 'Dracula'.

Orava Castle is also the oldest museum in Slovakia, having been established as early as 1868. Visiting its chambers, visitors can enjoy a rich collection of furniture, weapons, artwork and everyday objects from various eras. Of particular interest is the ethnographic exposition, which presents the culture and traditions of the Orava region. According to local legend, the ghost of the Black Lady - the unhappily in love daughter of one of the owners, who threw herself from the castle tower - appears in the castle to this day.

Quite different in character is the fairytale Bojnice Castle, which looks like it was taken alive from the pages of a romantic novel. Although its history dates back to the 11th century, it owes its current stunning appearance to a 19th-century reconstruction, when Count János Ferenc Pálffy decided to transform it into a romantic chateau inspired by French castles on the Loire River. Walking through the richly decorated chambers, one can admire the original furnishings, art collection and impressive library. The real treasure of the castle is the Bojnic altarpiece by Florentine master N. di Cione Ortagna from the mid-14th century.

Bojnice Castle is also famous for its annual International Festival of Ghosts and Spooks, which attracts thousands of tourists. According to legend, hidden in the castle's vaults is the treasure of the Knights Templar, and the ghost of Count Pálffy appears in the chambers, unable to find peace until his art collection is complete. An additional attraction is the 600-year-old King Matthias linden tree, growing in the castle courtyard, and the nearby thermal caves.

Continuing our tour of Slovak castles, it's impossible to miss the picturesque Stara Lubovna Castle, rising on a limestone hill above the town of the same name. This massive fortress, built in the early 14th century, served an extremely important strategic function - guarding the northern border of the Hungarian Kingdom and the trade route running through the Poprad valley. However, the most fascinating fact of the castle's history is that for many years it held Polish coronation insignia, including the famous crown of Boleslaw Chrobry. In 1412, King Sigismund of Luxembourg pledged Stará Ľubovňa, along with 16 other Spiš towns, to King Wladyslaw Jagiello of Poland for a loan of 37,000 kopecks of Prague pennies. The towns remained under Polish rule for 360 years!

Stara Lubovna Castle has undergone extensive restoration and today offers visitors the opportunity to learn about its fascinating history through rich museum exhibitions. Of particular interest is the collection of weapons, furniture and everyday objects from various eras. The castle also houses an open-air museum showcasing the traditional architecture of the region. Spectacular knightly tournaments and historical re-enactments are held here every year, attracting history enthusiasts from all over Europe.

Of a completely different nature is Lietava Castle, one of the largest castle ruins in Slovakia. This massive fortress, built in the second half of the 13th century, stretches majestically on a limestone ridge in the Strážov Mountains. The castle was systematically expanded by successive owners, reaching the height of its glory in the 16th century, when it belonged to the powerful Thurzo family. At that time the fortress consisted of three parts: the lower, middle and upper castle, connected by a system of fortified walls and towers.

Today Lietava Castle is a picturesque ruin that attracts lovers of history and beautiful views. From the preserved fragments, one can admire the massive defensive walls, the remains of the towers and the foundations of the residential buildings. Especially impressive is the cylindrical tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. The castle is associated with the legend of the hidden treasure of its last owner, Count Wesselényi, who is said to have buried his riches somewhere in the vaults before leaving the fortress, which was falling into ruins.

Let's now move on to Kezmarok Castle, which stands out from other Slovakian fortresses with its unique architecture. This Renaissance palace, built in the center of the city, was the seat of the powerful Thököly family, which ruled Kezmarok in the 17th century. The castle has undergone extensive restoration and today houses the Kežmarský Museum with its rich historical and ethnographic collections.

One of the most valuable exhibits is the castle chapel from 1658, which is a true gem of Baroque architecture. Note the richly decorated emporiums and the main altar. The museum also features a collection of furniture, weapons, porcelain and everyday objects from various eras. Of particular interest is an 18th century pharmacy with original furnishings and an exhibition on the history of printing in the region.

The castle is connected with the tragic story of the last of the Thököly family - Imrich, who had to flee the country after the fall of the anti-Habsburg uprising and died in exile in Turkey. According to legend, his spirit returns to the castle on the anniversary of his death, looking for his beloved wife Helena Zrínya. The castle in Kežmarok, although less well-known than other Slovak fortresses, certainly deserves attention for its rich history and unique museum collections.

To conclude our tour of Slovak castles and palaces, we move to the picturesque Lesser Carpathians, where the fairytale Smolenice Palace rises amid lush forests. This romantic residence, although it looks like a medieval castle, is actually a relatively young building - it was erected in the early 20th century on the site of a former fortress from the 14th century. The palace was built between 1887 and 1930 for the Pálffy count family, according to a design by architect Jozef Hubert, who created a romantic vision of a neo-Gothic castle inspired by the Bavarian residences of King Ludwig II.

The palace in Smolenice impresses with its architecture - soaring towers, stone walls and picturesque location make the place look like it was taken alive from a fairy tale. Particularly charming is the inner courtyard with arcaded galleries and the English landscape park surrounding the palace with rare species of trees and shrubs. Since 1953 the palace has been owned by the Slovak Academy of Sciences and is used as a conference center, but during the summer season some of the rooms are open to the public.

The palace's interiors impress with a wealth of decoration - you can admire the representative halls with original furniture, fireplaces and chandeliers, as well as the palace chapel with stained glass windows. The observation deck on the tower offers a breathtaking view of the Little Carpathians and the Vah River valley. According to local legend, on a full moon, the White Lady appears in the palace chambers - the spirit of the unhappily in love daughter of one of the former owners, who threw herself from the tower after her beloved was killed in a duel.

To sum up our tour of seven of Slovakia's most beautiful castles and palaces, consider which one is most worth visiting. For lovers of monumental defensive architecture, Spiš Castle or Orava Castle are certainly the best choices - both impress with their grandeur, rich history and picturesque location. Spiš Castle, as a UNESCO site, additionally offers professionally prepared museum exhibitions, but part of the castle remains in ruins. Orava Castle impresses with its complete architecture and rich collections, but visiting it requires good physical fitness due to steep stairs and level differences.

For families with children, the ideal choice would be the fairy-tale Bojnice Castle, which not only impresses with its architecture, but also offers numerous additional attractions, including the famous Festival of Ghosts and Spooks. History and culture buffs, on the other hand, will appreciate Kezmarok Castle with its rich museum collections and Stara Lubovna Castle, where you can learn about the fascinating Polish-Slovak ties.

Amateurs of romantic landscapes and architecture should direct their steps to Smolenice Palace, which impresses with its picturesque location and fairy-tale architecture. Meanwhile, adventurers and undiscovered destinations will find Lietava Castle to be an ideal destination - although in ruins, it offers unforgettable views and an atmosphere of mystery.

Regardless of your choice, each of the described castles and chateaux is a fascinating journey back in time, allowing you to explore Slovakia's rich history and culture. These stone witnesses of the past tell stories of knights and ladies, rulers and subjects, war and peace, while remaining living cultural centers where history meets the present. Slovak castles and palaces, although often overshadowed by their Czech or Hungarian counterparts, certainly deserve attention and can be the destination of a fascinating journey for any history and architecture lover.