slovakcastles:

Lietava Castle Slovakia

Location: 49.160627,18.684903

Architecture: Gothic

One of the biggest castles in Slovakia. Built after 1241, situated in the Žilina District of northern Slovakia, between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná-Babkovon on the hill Cibuľník in the mountains Súľovské vrchy, in altitude 633 meters, as an administrative and military centre. In the 14th century belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín ”Lord of the river Váh and the Tatra Mountains“.In the 16th century Thurzo family gained it. It was reconstructed and fortified, and given its own military garrison. After the death of Imrich Thurzo in 1621 grabby descendants disputed until they lost interest of it. The castle report in 1698 said that the castle was uninhabited and there was only an archive, which was moved to the Orava Castle in the 1760s. After that, the castle was abandoned and not used any more.  The inner part of building features the original Gothic design, while the settlement around the castle is Late Gothic in style.

The ruins have recently been restored and are now open to the public, offering a superb view of the surrounding countryside. The castle is for many tourists popular place thanks to impressive atmosphere.

You can help with further reconstruction of the castle through World Monuments Fund.