Víglaš Castle Castle

Vígľaš Castle from the end of the 14th century is located on the eastern edge of the village Vígľaš in Banská Bystrica region. Originally it originated from a monastic building, which was rebuilt into a royal mansion and hunting castle.

The rocky spur over the river Slatina probably lived in the early Middle Ages within the Slavic castle. Later there was a monastic object that was managed by the Templar Council, the johanites (Maltez knights) or King Charles Robert. The castle seat was built by King Louis I, Grand Master of the Hungarian Brotherly Militia (The Council of Knights of St. George). The construction was completed by Žigmund Luxembourg and rebuilt into a hunting castle.

The complex registers the Monument Office of the Slovak Republic under number ÚZPF 1123 and consists of 18 objects. Gothic elements from the end of the 14th to the middle of the 15th century are the castle palace, chapel, building with a well and a parking wall. In the second half of the 16th century, Renaissance fortifications were established with four corner towers, a trench wall and bastions (northern-west, northeast, southeast, southwest and southwest). Three economic buildings come from the 16th and 17th centuries.

In 1408 the Sigismund of Luxembourg and his wife, Barbara Celjsky, were founded by the Order of Dragons, whose meetings were held in Víglas. The castle was later administered by Queen Barbara until Sigismund's death. The seat was used to relax and hunt in the surrounding royal forests, as did King Matthias Corvinus. In the second half of the 16th century, the castle played a military role in anti-Turkish fighting and maintained a permanent crew. In 1605 he was temporarily captured by the rebels of Stefan Bočat. From 1636 it was privately owned by the Čáki family and from 1690 to the end of the feudalism of the Esterhazi family, which was converted into a castle manor house in the 18th century.

During World War II, the castle was attacked, severely damaged, and burned to a large extent. In 1980 partial reconstruction of the outer fortification took place. In 2007 the ruins were purchased by a private investor who, under the supervision of the landmark authorities, restored the castle fortifications, the bastion and the castle itself. The reconstruction was completed in 2013.

In September 2014 the building was opened as a congress hotel The Grand Vígľaš**** with wellness services. At the same time it became the official seat of the Order of the Swords Circle in 2014.