Northern Slovakia is a region where history and nature have created some of the most impressive castle complexes in Central Europe. A true gem among them is Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad), whose monumental ruins tower over the surrounding area, covering an area of more than four hectares. This mighty fortress, which dates back to 1120, was a key defensive point on the northern border of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary. The castle has undergone numerous transformations, from a Romanesque fortress to a Gothic residence to a Renaissance palace. In 1993 it was recognized for its exceptional value by being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

When visiting Spiš Castle, it is worth noting the preserved elements of the defense system, including the massive walls and towers, which testify to the military genius of the builders. The castle walls offer a breathtaking view of the Tatra Mountains and the Spiš Basin. According to local legends, huge treasures are hidden in the castle's vaults, and on moonless nights you can hear the groans of souls trapped here centuries ago.

Nearby is another gem of defensive architecture - Orava Castle (Oravský hrad), picturesquely located on a steep rock, rising 112 meters above the level of the Orava River. This monumental structure, reminiscent of Poland's Eagle's Nest, served as an important checkpoint and customs post. The castle consists of three parts connected by rock-forged gates, and its interiors represent styles ranging from Gothic to Renaissance. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1800 and today is one of the region's top tourist attractions.

Orava Castle hides many secrets and legends. One of them tells of the castle's cruel lord, Thurzó, whose ghost is said to still haunt the fortress' corridors. Another legend tells of a hidden passage that supposedly led from the castle all the way to a remote monastery. The castle was also the set for many productions, including the 1922 horror classic 'Nosferatu'.

Rounding out this fascinating trio is Stara Lubovna Castle (Stará Ľubovňa), which played a significant role in Polish history. Within its walls, the Polish crown jewels were kept, and meetings of high-ranking officials were held. The castle, built in the early 14th century, served as a border fortress and guarded an important trade route. Despite the fire that struck it, it was rebuilt and now houses a museum showcasing its history and cultural significance.

A unique feature of Stara Lubovna Castle is its well-preserved tower, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The castle hosts knightly tournaments and historical re-enactments that allow you to travel back in time to the Middle Ages. According to local legends, Templar treasure was hidden in the castle, and underground passages were said to lead all the way to the distant Spiš Castle.

Each of the three castles offers a unique experience and allows you to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the region. Spiš Castle impresses with its grandeur and monumentality, Orava Castle impresses with its picturesque location and wealth of architectural details, and Stara Lubovna Castle attracts with its Polish-Hungarian historical threads. All three provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable photographs and selfies to capture the spirit of the Middle Ages.

Further traversing the Polish-Czech-Slovak borderland, we come across true architectural gems that impress with their beauty and richness of history. One of them is Bojnice Castle (Bojnický zámok), often called Slovakia's most beautiful castle. This fairy-tale residence, reminiscent of French castles on the Loire River, impresses with its romantic silhouette with distinctive soaring turrets and battlements. The origins of the castle date back to the 12th century, but it owes its current neo-Gothic appearance to a late 19th century reconstruction, when Count János Ferenc Pálffy decided to create his dream residence here.

Bojnice Castle hides real treasures - richly decorated chambers, unique furniture, an art collection and the famous Golden Hall. Under the castle there is a natural cave, and the whole is surrounded by a picturesque park with exotic species of trees. Every year in May, the castle becomes the scene of the International Festival of Ghosts and Spooks, which attracts thousands of lovers of legends and supernatural tales. According to local legends, the castle is home to the ghost of Count Pálffy, who cannot find peace until his beloved art collection is fully recovered.

The contrast to the fairy-tale Bojnice Castle is the austere and monumental Devín Castle, picturesquely located on a rocky hill at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. This strategic location was already appreciated by the Romans, who erected the first fortification here. Devín Castle played a key role in the history of the region, witnessing many landmark events. In 1809 it was partially destroyed by Napoleon's troops, and its picturesque ruins became a symbol of Slovak national revival.

The castle walls offer a breathtaking view of the Danube River and the surrounding hills. Particularly impressive is the so-called 'Tower of the Virgins,' standing at the very edge of the cliff. According to legend, a girl who preferred death to marriage to an unloved man threw herself from this very tower. Another tale tells of the hidden treasure of the Knights Templar, which is said to be still waiting to be discovered in the castle's vaults.

Traveling further south, we arrive in the heart of Slovakia - Bratislava, where the majestic Bratislava Castle rises on a hill overlooking the city. This monumental building with the characteristic shape of an upturned table is a symbol of the capital and one of the country's most important monuments. The castle, built in the Gothic style, has undergone numerous reconstructions in the spirit of the Renaissance and Baroque. For almost 200 years it housed the Hungarian coronation insignia.

Bratislava Castle was severely damaged in a fire in 1811, but was rebuilt in the 1960s. It now houses part of the Slovak National Museum, with extensive historical and archaeological collections. The castle's terraces offer panoramic views of Bratislava, the Danube River and surrounding countries - in good weather you can even see Austria and Hungary. According to local legends, the treasures of the last rulers of Great Moravia were hidden in the castle's vaults, and on moonless nights you can hear the sounds of ancient feasts and games.

In northeastern Slovakia, in the picturesque surroundings of the Belian Tatras, is the castle of Kežmarok, which stands out from other Slovak castles for its Renaissance architecture. This castle complex, built in the 13th century, has been rebuilt several times, acquiring Gothic and Baroque elements. The castle is famous for its perfectly preserved chapel, which is a true masterpiece of Renaissance art, with richly decorated frescoes and sculptures.

The castle in Kežmarok witnessed the turbulent history of the region, passing from hand to hand between various noble families. Today it houses a museum showcasing the history of the town and region, with rich collections of furniture, weapons and everyday objects. Of particular interest is an exhibition devoted to the craft guilds, which played a key role in the development of the city. According to local legends, the castle is haunted by the ghost of its cruel owner, Imrich Thököly, who is said to still guard his treasures hidden in the castle's dungeons.

The last part of our journey leads to lesser-known but equally fascinating castles that often remain in the shadow of their more famous neighbors. One such hidden treasure is Lietava Castle, whose picturesque ruins rise on a limestone hill in the Žilina region. This once mighty fortress, built in the 13th century, was one of the most important fortifications in northern Slovakia. The castle was expanded over the centuries, adding new walls, towers and dwellings, making it one of the largest defense complexes in the region.

Today, Lietava Castle impresses with its picturesque ruins, which gradually blend in with the surrounding nature. Particularly impressive are the remains of the main tower and fragments of the defensive walls, which give an idea of the former power of the fortress. The castle hill offers a breathtaking view of the Vah River valley and the surrounding mountains. According to local legends, huge treasures are hidden in the castle's vaults, and on moonless nights you can hear the sounds of ancient feasts and knightly duels.

Not far from Lietava is another gem of medieval defensive architecture - Strečno Castle, picturesquely located on a rocky hill above the Váh River. This massive fortress, built in the 14th century, controlled an important trade route running through the river valley. The castle went through a tumultuous history, changing owners several times and witnessing numerous sieges and battles. In the 17th century it was partially destroyed on the orders of Emperor Leopold I so that it could not serve as a base for insurgents.

Strečno Castle was carefully restored in the 20th century and today offers visitors a fascinating journey through time. Particularly impressive is the main tower, which offers a panoramic view of the Váh valley and the surrounding mountains. In the castle you can see reconstructions of medieval chambers, an exhibition of weapons and learn about the history of the castle's famous owner, Žofia Bosniakova, whose mummified body was found in the crypt of the castle's chapel. According to legend, her ghost still haunts the castle's corridors, helping lovers and guarding family treasures.

Our final destination is Liptovský Castle, whose picturesque ruins rise on an island of Liptov Lake. This unique location makes it one of Slovakia's most photogenic castles. Originally, the castle was located on a hill above the Váh River valley, but in the 1970s, during the construction of a dam, the valley was flooded and the castle hill became an island. The castle, built in the 13th century, served as an important checkpoint on the trade route and was the seat of the Zupan of Liptov.

Today, the ruins of Liptov Castle, surrounded by the waters of the lake, create an extremely picturesque landscape, especially at sunset, when the red rays are reflected in the surface of the water. The castle can be reached by boat or during the winter, when the lake freezes - on foot on the ice. According to local legends, on moonless nights you can see the ghosts of the castle's former inhabitants strolling along the walls, and in the depths of the lake there are said to be hidden treasures that were sunk during the construction of the dam.

Each of the four castles offers a unique experience and allows you to discover lesser-known but equally fascinating pages of the region's history. Lietava Castle impresses with the ferocity and monumentality of its ruins, Strečno Castle impresses with its perfectly preserved defensive architecture, and Liptovský Castle charms with its unusual location on an island. All provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable photographs to capture the magic and mystery of these places.

To sum up our journey on the trail of ten fascinating castles of the Polish-Czech-Slovak borderland, it is worth noting the great diversity of these sites - from monumental complexes listed by UNESCO, through fairytale residences, to picturesque ruins blended into the landscape. Each of these castles tells a different story, offers different views and hides different secrets. However, they all have one thing in common - they are all remarkable testaments to the region's turbulent history and the genius of the builders of old. Whether you are a lover of history, architecture, legends or simply beautiful views, the castles of the Polish-Czech-Slovak borderland are sure to give you an unforgettable experience and become the backdrop for an exceptional selfie with history.