Ľubovnianske múzeum – hrad Ľubovňa

About the museum

King Andrew III of Hungary had the Ľubovňa castle built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, and it is first documented in writing in 1311. In 1412 King Sigismund of Luxembourg pledged part of Spiš to the Polish king, so the castle remained under Polish administration for more than three centuries. From 1591 the starost of the pledged part of Spiš was Sebastian Lubomirski, and his family held it for a further four generations; in 1620 to 1647 the castle was rebuilt in the Baroque style. In 1655 to 1661 the Polish coronation regalia were hidden in it.

After the abolition of the Spiš pledge in 1772, the castle belonged to several owners. From 1825 to 1880 it was owned by the Raisz family, and from 1882 to 1945 by the Polish noble family Zamoyski. The museum in the castle was established in 1966, and today it is managed by the Ľubovnianske múzeum.

Visitors pass through the Baroque bastion and the Renaissance fortifications to the upper castle. The oldest parts include the Gothic palace (now a ruin) and the Gothic tower Nebojsa with a view of the Tatras. The tour also includes the Baroque palace with period interiors, the chapel of St Michael the Archangel from 1647, casemates, the castle well, replicas of the Polish coronation regalia and an exhibition on the Zamoyski family. Below the castle stands the skanzen (open-air museum) of the Ľubovnianske múzeum.

Highlights

• Gothic tower Nebojsa with a view of the Tatras and the former prison of Móric Beňovský
• Baroque palace with period interiors and a hunting salon
• Chapel of St Michael the Archangel from 1647
• Replicas of the Polish coronation regalia
• Casemates of the Renaissance bastion
• Exhibition on the Zamoyski family

Permanent exhibition

• Hrad Ľubovňa – stála expozícia – The tour leads through the gates and bastions to the upper castle, to the Baroque palace with period interiors, the chapel, the casemates and the Gothic tower with a view of the Tatras.

Founded

1966

Director

Dalibor Mikulík

Admission & discounts

Holders of the gold or diamond Jánsky plaque and of the Kňazovický medal, and war veterans, pay €0.10. Photography and filming are free; a wedding photo shoot at the castle costs €50 (arrange by phone).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum's website has separate sections “Hrad a skanzen bez bariér” (Castle and skanzen without barriers) for deaf, blind and autistic visitors; details are available at the cash desk. Dogs are not allowed on the premises.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

The museum offers educational materials for children (fairy tales about the castle, worksheets for children aged 7–10 and for children aged 3–6) and family admission; the skanzen has a corner with folk toys.

Getting there & parking

The castle stands on a hill above the town of Stará Ľubovňa; the skanzen is below the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

At the castle there is the Hostinec u Mórica inn with coffee and refreshments; in the skanzen, souvenirs are sold in the granary.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle can be rented on the basis of a written request and the director's consent; in the skanzen the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel can be rented for €200.

Plan your visit