Považské múzeum

About the museum

The Považie Museum in Žilina is seated in Budatín Castle, which stands at the confluence of the Váh and the Kysuca. The castle arose in the second half of the 13th century and is first mentioned in writing in 1321, at the death of its owner Matúš Čák Trenčiansky. Originally it consisted of a cylindrical tower with wooden and earthen buildings; later it was fortified with a wall and a water moat. Major rebuilds followed in the 15th and 16th centuries and at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, when it became a château with Baroque elements; its last owners were the Čák family.

Since 1956 the complex has been part of the Považie Museum. The tower reopened after reconstruction in 2014, the castle exhibitions in 2016, and in October 2019 spaces with an archaeological exhibition were added. The castle is surrounded by a historic English park of 4.7 ha, which is freely accessible, and a restored Baroque chapel stands in the grounds.

The museum focuses on the history of Žilina and Považie, archaeology, transport history and wire-craft (drotárstvo), which has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2019. Other sites belong to the Považie Museum as well, for example Strečno Castle, the Wedding Palace in Bytča, folk architecture buildings in Čičmany and the Transport Museum in Rajecké Teplice.

Highlights

• Castle exhibitions Dejiny Žiliny (History of Žilina) and Dobový interiér (Period Interior), with a collection of executioners' swords
• Archaeological exhibition Pred hradbami, za hradbami (Before the Walls, Behind the Walls)
• Tower with a view over Žilina, historic maps, a picture gallery and an exhibition of clocks
• Permanent exhibition Drotárstvo (Wire-craft) in the Drotársky pavilón (Wire-craft Pavilion)
• Historic park and castle chapel, freely accessible

Permanent exhibitions

• Dejiny Žiliny a Dobový interiér – On the third above-ground floor are the collection objects on the history of Žilina, guild production, a collection of executioners' swords and period furniture from the 18th to the 20th century, including the Čák dining room and a hunting room.
• Pred hradbami, za hradbami – The archaeological exhibition on the second above-ground floor, on fortifications from prehistory to the late Middle Ages, with 3D models of the castle and reconstructions of period costumes.
• Drotárstvo – (ne)uveriteľný príbeh jedného remesla – The exhibition in the Wire-craft Pavilion presents the history of wire-craft, products made of wire and sheet metal, and the achievements of Slovak wire-craftsmen abroad.

Founded

1942

Operated by

Žilinský samosprávny kraj

Admission & discounts

Entry to the park and the chapel is free. The prices refer to the Castle Circuit. A regional discount of €1 per person applies to a group trip by a nursery school from the Žilina district. Admission outside opening hours (by order only, for groups of more than 10 people) carries a 100% surcharge. Other discounts are not recognised and discounts cannot be combined. Card payment is possible at the ticket office.

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 entrance to the castle is from the southern terrace by the Váh river. Dogs and other animals may not enter the castle grounds.

Kids & families

The museum sells family tickets. Children up to 6 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies in Budatín at the confluence of the Váh and Kysuca rivers. Entry is from the southern terrace by the Váh river.

Amenities & dining

Public toilets are not directly in the castle. In summer one can picnic and play selected sports in the park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit