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Castle ruins · Spišské Podhradie, Prešov
Spiš Castle
One of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe, with about 4 hectares of walls, courtyards and towers on a limestone hill. Burned in 1780, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a museum in the upper castle.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Spiš Castle
Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad) crowns a travertine hill about 200 meters above the plain, between Spišské Podhradie and Žehra. With roughly 4 hectares of walled area, it is one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe. The hill lies in the municipality of Žehra, but the castle is visible across the region and gives its name to Spiš.
The first stone buildings date from the 12th century, when the castle was the seat of the royal administrators of the region. In the following centuries it was enlarged in several phases, including the Romanesque palace of the upper castle, a Gothic chapel and three courtyards surrounded by walls. For more than 300 years it belonged to the Csáky family, who abandoned it after a fire in 1780. Since then it has remained a ruin.
The visit enters through the lower gate and climbs through the courtyards to the upper castle, with its cylindrical tower, from which you can see Spišská Kapitula, Spišské Podhradie, the Levoča hills and, to the north, the High Tatras. In the upper castle, rooms of the Spiš Museum tell the fortress’s history, with weapons and objects from the period. The path is stone and includes steep sections.
The castle and its surroundings were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1993, in a listing that also includes Levoča, Spišská Kapitula and Žehra. It generally opens from spring to autumn, with reduced hours or closure in winter.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From one and a half to two and a half hours, including the ascent, the courtyards, the upper castle and the museum.
Best time
At opening, in the morning, with fewer people and less heat; the hill has no shade. From May to October the hours are full. To photograph the castle from a distance, late afternoon lights the west façade well.
How to get there
On foot from Spišské Podhradie, by a marked trail of about a 30-minute climb, or by car to the parking area on the Žehra side, with a short walk to the entrance. It is about 15 km from Levoča via the D1.
Tip
Bring water, a hat and sturdy shoes: the terrain is rocky and unshaded. To see the whole castle from a distance, stop at one of the viewpoints on the road that comes from Levoča, to the west.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Spiš Castle
How large is Spiš Castle?
The walled area is about 4 hectares, which places it among the largest castle complexes in Central Europe.
How long does a visit to Spiš Castle take?
From one and a half to two and a half hours, including the climb, the courtyards, the upper castle and the museum rooms.
Is Spiš Castle open in winter?
It usually opens from spring to autumn, with reduced hours or closed in winter. Check before you go.
Why is Spiš Castle in ruins?
A fire in 1780 destroyed much of the buildings, and the Csáky family, the owners, left the castle. Since then it has remained a ruin, with some parts conserved and restored.