Spiš Castle Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Spiš Castle

Spiš Castle, known locally as Spišský hrad, is a historic ruin located in eastern Slovakia's Spiš region. Resting atop a travertine limestone hill above the town of Spišské Podhradie and the village of Žehra, it stands as one of the six largest castle sites in the country. Spanning an area of roughly 3.9 hectares (9.6 acres), the complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, a collective honor shared with neighboring Spišská Kapitula and Žehra. Today, the location is administered by the Spiš Museum at Levoča, an operating unit of the Slovak National Museum.

Initial construction on the hilltop began at the start of the 12th century, with the earliest written record mentioning the stronghold in 1120. It initially served as a border fortress along the northern edge of the Kingdom of Hungary. Over time, it developed into the primary political, economic, administrative, and cultural seat of Szepes County. Royal Hungarian property prior to 1464, ownership eventually shifted across several prominent noble houses—including the Zápolya, Thurzó, and Csáky families—before becoming state property following World War II under Czechoslovakia and later Slovakia.

The complex evolved significantly over the centuries. Starting as a Romanesque stone fort, it expanded by the late 13th century to include a two-story Romanesque palace and a three-nave Romanesque-Gothic basilica. A second outer settlement was added in the 14th century to double its size, followed by a major 15th-century overhaul that raised the defensive walls, added a third outer settlement, and introduced a late Gothic chapel. Subsequent alterations by the Zápolya family modernized the upper castle into a comfortable late Renaissance family residence.

In the early 18th century, the Csáky family abandoned the complex in favor of more comfortable nearby residences in Hodkovce and Spišský Hrhov. A devastating fire in 1780 reduced the site to ruins; local theories attribute the blaze to tax evasion tactics, a lightning strike, or an accident involving moonshine production by local soldiers. Following the fire, the structures were left uninhabited and gradually decayed.

During the second half of the 20th century, the site underwent extensive archaeological research and partial reconstruction. Restored portions of the complex were fitted with exhibitions curated by the Spiš Museum, featuring historical artifacts such as historic torture instruments once used on the property.