Orava Castle stands on a steep limestone cliff above the village of Oravský Podzámok. During your vacation this could be a great target for a trip. The first written evidence of the castle dates back to 1267, when King Bela IV. took it over from Mika Balaš and thus became royal property.
In 1298 the castle belonged to Matúš čák of Trenčín and after his death Orava got into the hands of master Dončo. In 1333 it was gained by Charles Robert, who was represented on the castle by Count of Kremnica - Leopold and later by a number of castellans.
During the Hussite times Orava castle was owned yby Ctibor from Ctibořice and after him in 1433 Mikuláš Balický defended it against Hussites. Since 1441 was the castellan Peter Komorovský, who not only defended the castle against the Hussites, but thanks to his skills and negotiation became the administrator of Orava, what resulted into the repair and fortification of the castle.
After his defeat, when he added to the side of the insurgents, the castle became the property of King Matthias Corvinus, who had carried out a number of measures for the safety of the castle itself and the Orava area as well. Under his government was built by the residential tower the Corvinus Palace.
Other construction work took place during the reign of Ján from Dubovec, who buil a four-storey palace in the beginnig of 16th century. Fraňo Thurzo gained Orava Castle in 1556 from Václav Sedlnický for 18,338 gold coins. Thus began the most significant building boom. Fraňo let construct the lower part of the present castle from the walls of a raised platform through which the road passes through the tunnel to the third castle gate and Thurzo palace. After the death of Juraj Thurzo (1616) and after the death of his wife (1626) Thurzos heirs divided the property between them and determined administrator.
Violent events 17 century and uprisings did not avoid Orava Castle area. In 1672 it was taken by the group of Zempín count Gašpar Pika. However, the emperor sent troops led by General Spork, who captured Orava Castle and the rebels were executed. Orava Castle in 1800 almost all burned down.
Fortunately, soon was fixed the upper and middle part of the Orava Castle and therefore today we can say that it belongs to the best preserved castles in Slovakia. In 1868 there was situated in caste complex premises Museum of Orava composesorat one of the first museums in Slovakia. Latest and complete restoration of the castle was carried out in 1953 - 1968. Orava Castle is a national monument, which certainly is an attractive target trip during your holiday in Slovakia.