The oldest historical architectural monument, which is the highlight of Levice is a stone castle from the late 13th century. When exactly it was built is not mentioned in any of the known archival materials.
We know, however, that for the construction of Levice Castle was chosen strategically well protected place at the end of the tip of Štiavnické vrchy Mountains. The castle has an excellent view of the surrounding areas and marshy terrain around it impeded access to it.
The first written record dates back to 1274 - a letter from King Ladislav IV. to laird Apo of Hontpázmáň line.
The first known owner of Levice Castle was Matúš čák of Trenčín. From 1318 is a written report of its existence, which mentions comes from Jula of Topoľčianky as castellan and supporter of Matúš Čák. After his death in 1321, the castle becomes a royal property. King Charles Robert, who from 21 to 29 August 1321 himself was staying at the castle, donated Levice Castle and estate to his wife Elizabeth. The castle was under control of Imrich Bechei, who became also the governor of Tekov region.
As the position of the castle strenghtened residents from the surrounding villages started to move into its area and thus in 14. century emerged village of Veľké and Nové Levice, which belonged to Levice Castle. Its growing importance also proves that King Ludwig I. organised palatine meetings here to solve various issues.
In 1388 King Sigismund dedicated the castle and castle estate to Ladislav from Šarovce, whose son Peter used the name Lévai - Levický and Čech later on. He was a devoted supporter of King Sigismund. He held several ranks of the royal court and fought against the Hussites. Levice Castle belonged to their family of a half century. The last of them, John died in 1553 without descendants and thus castle again became a royal property.
From 1434 comes a report of a fire, during which archival materials and documents of nobility privileges were destroyed.
In the 16th century Levice Castle castle was the scene of frequent battles against the Turks. In 1543 the castle became one of the 15 anti-Turkish forts. The Turks tried to conquer it first time in 1544, but the attack was repulsed. The Turks were expelled from the city through the gate (today nearby the mill), later named after Melicher Balassa, who at the time commanded the castle garrison.
In 1558 became owner of the castle and castle estate Stephen Dobó, who extended the castle area with a fortified Renaissance castle. This magnificent building was completed by his son Francis. After his death became owner of the castle Sigfrid Kolonich (husband of Sophia, the bride of Francis Dobó), much of which fortune had been donated to repair the castle and financing the garrison. As a result, he was so much in debts that after his death there was no one to bury him, and so he took the debt over. His dead body laid unburied for many years, until in 1638 on the orders of King Ferdinand III it was buried secretly and without a priest in the crypt of the Levice church of St. Michael next to his wife.
The growing Turkish danger was the reason for the renovation of the castle. In 1635 it was resumed according to italian fortification system, moaths were filled with water, cannon bastions and a drawbridge were build. In the sixties of the 17. century Turkish fighting intensified and attacks of the Turks did not go around Levice Castle and the surrounding villages.
2.11. 1663 vice-captain Gašpar Bartakovits released the castle without a fight to the Turks. Captain of the castle became Catra Patra Ali Pasha. Tho looks of the castle during this period was described in memories of the Turkish traveler Evliy Celebi: " Levice Castle is a building to be seen. The interior of the castle is small. Stone building has a square shape and around the perimeter are located six small towers. Inside is situated the captains house, granary and armory. There are no other buildings there. It has a small gate turned to the east. Moat of the inner castle is filled with muddy water from the river Hron."
Turks stayed at the castle less than a year. Imperial troops under the command of General de Souches conquered town of Levice 13.6. 1664. Turks capitulated and left the town and castle according to agreements signed. This loss hit Turks hard and their army tried to conquer the fort again. The decisive battle took place on 19.7. 1664. In heavy fighting the Turks were defeated. During the fight fell Stephen Koháry - captain of the Hungarian forces.
The last important chapter in the history of this important military fort were years of uprising of Francis II. Rákoczi against the Habsburgs. Under the leadership of Commander Ladislav Ocskay Kuruc troops occupied 17.9. 1703 Levice Castle, who was considered by Rákóczi an important strategic site. 3.1. 1704 was held military conference at the Levice Castle, which was also attended by Rákóczi.
During the battles were alternately winning imperial Labanci or Kuruc army. In November 1708 John Bottyán, who joined the Rákóczi side, again conquered Levice Castle, which was already in very poor condition. John Bottyán did not have enough people to build a permanent castle garrison. Therefore by the end of February 1709 he let demolish the upper castle. The fort was set on fire, moats and well were backfilled and the castle lost importance as a military fortress. It was never more resumed and its ruins talk only about the distant past.
The preserved part of the castle complex, Dobó mansion and captain's building continued to serve to subsequent owners of Levice castle. From 1688 to 1867 they were owned by the Esterházy family. From this family line acquired the property Viennese bankers, brothers Schoeller. Their family owned Levice Castle and castle estates until the end of World War II. Since 1958 it houses Tekovské Museum in Levice, which for is located in Dobó mansion and the captain's building.
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Article author: Mgr. Margaréta Nováková, Tekovské Museum in Levice