Lubovna Castle Castle

Ľubovniansky castle is partially preserved and renovated castle from the first half of the 14th century, located in the village Stará Ľubovňa in Prešov region. It stands on the limestone hill at a height of 548 m above the left bank of the river Poprad.

The castle dates back to the second half of the 13th century or to the beginning of the 14th century. It was built as a border guard castle in order to protect trade routes to Poland. Historical sources present various versions of its founder. Some suggest that it was built around 1280 by Polish prince Boleslav, the husband of Kunigunda, the daughter of Hungarian king Bela IV. Other sources attribute the initiative to King Charles Robert, the first written reference to Liblou dates back to 1311. There is also a legend about the nobleman Ľubovenský. The first administrators were the Omodejs, who owned the castle between 1308 and 1312 and then the Drugeths since 1315.

The oldest part of the complex is a circular tower with massive support pillars and an adjacent Gothic palace. These buildings form the upper castle with a courtyard and were originally surrounded by a perimeter wall with a gate. East of them is a slightly younger palace. The Gothic palace is still visible the remains of Renaissance attic, ledges and lining windows. The other two courtyards are designed terraces. In the second courtyard there is a building with an underpass, a large cannon bastion in the east and an ear cannon bassion in the west. Later, another palace was built to the east fortification and a Baroque palace was built on the west side from 1642 along with the chapel on the terrace. The third courtyard, headed southeast, protects the entrance to the area through the gate from 1664, which had a falling bridge. In the interior are preserved rolling and Prussian vaults, castle chapel and underground torture chamber.

Between 1412 and 1772 the castle was together with the estate and the town Stará Ľubovňa in a Polish deposit, where the mayors of the backed-up cities were located. Between 1591 and 1745 the mayorship was owned by the Polish princely family Lubomirski. After returning the Spiš towns of Hungary in 1772 the castle lost its meaning and served as a barracks and warehouse. In 1819 the state sold it to J. F. Raisz, whose family released him after 55 years due to maintenance costs. In 1883 the castle was bought by the Polish Count Zamoyski, who repaired the chapel and residential tract in 1930. After 1945, the building served as a school.

During the Hussite wars in the years 1432 and 1451 the castle was damaged and almost destroyed by a large fire in 1553. The renovation began in 1555 by the mayor Ján Boner, who added Renaissance elements and anti-Turkish fortress facility until 1557. In 1647 the chapel and the third courtyard were established. Between 1655 and 1661 Polish coronation jewels were kept in the castle before the Swedes. The object was visited by the Polish King John II. Kazimír Vasa in 1656 and John III. Sobieski in December 1683. Between 1746 and 1760 the reconstruction under the direction of Francesco Placidi took place. In 1768 Moric Beňovský was imprisoned in the castle.

There is currently a museum managed by the Ľubovniansky Museum in Stará Ľubovňa. Exposures include historical objects, period furniture, cold weapons and information about the Zamoy family. In the area grows a mighty little lime. The castle undergoes gradual repairs, the latest of which is the roofing of the main tower. Opening hours are from May to September daily from 9.00 to 18.00, in October daily from 10.00 to 15.00 and from November to April from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 15.00.

The Ľubovno Castle is a witness to border history and political changes in the region.