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Castle · Žilina, Žilina
Budatín Castle (Budatínsky hrad)
A castle at the meeting of the Váh and Kysuca rivers, in the north of Žilina, with a 13th-century tower, a park and the Považie Museum, which has an exhibition devoted to the tinsmiths’ craft.
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 Budatín Castle (Budatínsky hrad)
Budatín Castle (Budatínsky hrad) is in the Budatín district in the north of Žilina, where the Kysuca flows into the Váh. Unlike most Slovak castles, it is not on top of a cliff: it was a lowland castle, protected by rivers and moats. The oldest part is a large four-storey Gothic tower, erected in the mid-13th century.
Over the centuries the castle was expanded and transformed into a residence. In the 1920s the Csáky family renovated it and gave it its current white appearance with rounded towers. Today it houses the Považie Museum (Považské múzeum), with exhibitions on the history of the castle and the Žilina region, archaeology and nature.
The best-known exhibition is about drotárstvo, the craft of the Slovak itinerant tinsmiths who repaired pots and made wire objects and who spread this art to many parts of the world. There are life-size wire sculptures, tools and documents. The castle is surrounded by a historic park on the riverbank.
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 hour to one and a half hours, including the park.
Best time
The exhibitions are open year-round, with visits at set times; confirm on the museum’s website. On sunny days, combine your visit with a walk through the park to the riverbank.
How to get there
In the Budatín neighborhood in north Žilina, on the opposite side of the Váh. City buses stop nearby; on foot, it takes just under an hour from the station.
Tip
Be sure to see the wire-art exhibition: it is the part that most surprises visitors. Allow time for the park.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Budatín Castle (Budatínsky hrad)
What is there to see at Budatín Castle?
The 13th-century Gothic tower, the exhibitions of the Považie Museum and, above all, the display about the craft of Slovak tinsmiths and wire art.
Does Budatín Castle open in winter?
The exhibitions are open year-round, with visits at set times. Check before you go.
Where is Budatín Castle located?
In the Budatín neighborhood, north of Žilina, at the confluence of the Váh and Kysuca rivers, on the opposite side of the Váh from the city center.