In the area of 49,000 square kilometres at the historic crossroads of cultures, religions and conquerors Slovakia boasts more than 300 old castles and ruins. The castle in the photo bears the name Hrad Beckov and stands proudly on the Beckov cliff on the road that runs from Bratislava to High Tatra mountains. Many legends are told about the place, but nobody really knows who its first owners were. The fact we do know is that it was built to protect the borders of the Kingdom of Hungary and that it dates to the middle of the 13th century. In the 14th century Sigismund, the King of Hungary, gave the castle to Stibor of Stiboricz, a Lord of Polish descent. Stibor owned 31 castles, but he was particularly attached to this one. He took special care of it and rebuilt it in the Gothic style. A few years later Sigismund made Stibor the Duke of Transylvania (now in Romania), and the owner of Bran Castle aka the Dracula’s Castle.
This is the first in the series of posts themed “Traces of the past”. I will publish photos of structures belonging to different periods and countries. You are invited to join me and to interpret the theme as freely as you want. This challenge will appear again in June, and every other month after that. Waiting for your entries I wish you a glorious Thursday…
Check out the links bellow to see the entries for this challenge:
Fort Fisher
Gramma’s Rocker
The Stave Church
Container barge
Traces of the Past
The Great Earthly Curves
Traces of the past
Perigueux and surrounds
Ancient Wonders
Ghosts of the past
Traces of the Past
Azalea Mall Remnants
Beautiful Ruins


Leave a reply to Paula Cancel reply