Orava belongs to one of the most typical natural and historical region of Slovakia. The impressive castle is situated on a high rock above Orava river. The castle was owned by many aristocrats, county heads and noblemen, protecting important road to Poland an serving as an administrative and military centre for the region. It was built int he Kingdom of Hungary in the 15th century, after the Mongol invasion of Hungary in 1241. The buildings are arranged in 3 levels: the lower, central and upper castles, and oroginally were int he Romanesque and Gothic styles. In 1370 the castle become the center of Árva county. After 1474, King Matthew gave orders to build a square and a residence-wing int he middle part. The Hungarian king made several steps to improve the castle and to protect its surroundings, mainly the state borders. One of the most memorable owner was Francis Thurzó, durign his time the castle reconstructed extenively, added supporting walls, and a new chapel. Together with industrial entrepreneurs, the Fuggers, they were shrewd businessmen and as such they considered the merchants route as very important as well as Orova Castle that had to protect it. Thurzó family began to renovate buildings into Renaissance style. The present shape of the castle was achieved in 1611. It burned down in 1800 and was reconstructied after WWII, and became a national cultural monument in 1953. Nowadays the castle hosts three different expositions: Historical, Archeological and the Natural History.
More information: www.orava.sk; www.slovakia.com; www.oravskemuzeum.sk
