Spišský hrad
Extensive medieval royal castle on a travertine rock above Spišské Podhradie, part of the UNESCO site; the middle and lower courtyards are open to visitors.
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About the museum
Spišský hrad (Spiš Castle) stands at 634 m on a limestone (travertine) rock that rises about 200 m above the surrounding landscape. In size it is one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe. People settled the rock already in prehistoric times, and around the turn of the era a large fortified settlement of the Púchov culture arose here.
The oldest walled structures date from the 11th–12th centuries. In the 13th century a circular tower, a Romanesque palace and further parts of the upper castle were built; after the Tatar invasion, King Béla IV supported the building of castles and gave the Spiš provost a site for a tower and palace. The castle was the seat of a royal county, and in the 15th century it was rebuilt and extended in the Gothic style. From 1464 it belonged to the Zápoľský family, then to the Turzo family, and from 1636 to the Csáky family, who owned it until 1945. After a fire in 1780 the garrison left the castle, and it gradually became a ruin.
Following extensive monument and archaeological research, the castle is being repaired, conserved and partly reconstructed. It is managed by the Slovenské národné múzeum – Spišské múzeum v Levoči, and in 1993 it was inscribed on the UNESCO list together with Levoča and the surrounding monuments. The upper castle is currently closed for reconstruction; visitors can access the middle and lower courtyards.
Highlights
- Extensive castle complex on a travertine rock at 634 m
- Middle and lower courtyards with remains of the fortifications
- Gothic entrance gate and massive walls
- Night tours of the castle
- Part of the UNESCO site Levoča, Spiš Castle and Monuments of the Surroundings
Permanent exhibition
- Spišský hrad – stredné a dolné nádvorie – Tour of the castle grounds, with remains of the fortifications on the middle and lower courtyards; the upper castle with its museum exhibition is closed for reconstruction.
- Operated by
- Slovenské národné múzeum – Spišské múzeum v Levoči
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
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| Reduced | €8seniors aged 62–70 and students aged 19–26 (ISIC, EURO 26) |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 5 · Pupils aged 6–18. |
| Seniors | €8Seniors aged 62–70 (on presentation of an ID card); seniors over 70 enter free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €6Holders of a disability card (ZŤP) aged 18 and over: €6; under 18: €3. |
| Students & apprentices | €8Students aged 19–26 (ISIC, EURO 26). |
| Families | €25Family ticket for up to 4 persons (2 adults + 1 child, 1 adult + 3 children, or 2 adults + 2 children). |
| Night tour of the castle – adults | €15 |
| Night tour of the castle – seniors, students, pupils | €10 |
| Night tour of the castle – family ticket | €35 |
The reduced daily admission shown applies because of the castle's reconstruction (the upper courtyard is not included). Admission is free for children under 6, seniors over 70, holders of an ICOM card and of the cards of the Zväz múzeí SR a ČR, journalists, and SNM staff. Discounts apply only upon presentation of the relevant card at the ticket office.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
The free car park for visitors is below the castle on the Žehra side (not from Spišské Podhradie); from there a footpath leads to the castle grounds.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Entry to the castle grounds is only possible with a valid ticket. Because of the danger of falling stones, it is forbidden to leave the marked access route and paths, or to go near the castle rock or the castle walls. Information and reservations: +421 53 454 1336, info@spisskemuzeum.com. |
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