Dubnica Mansion is a historical monument, one of the most valuable historical buildings in Slovakia. Mansion with a renaissance core is a four-winged building of irregular shape, which began to build in the 40s of 17. century Gašpar Ileľzházi on the basis of an earlier foundations. Today it houses a museum, gallery and City Information Center.
Dubnica Mansion has a central courtyard (Atrium) built on the terrace, which slope formed the moat. Construction was done in order to gain defense abilities, as evidenced by the key loopholes. The entrance to the manor house located in the west wing was fortified with a square tower. The Mansion was protected by a moat and behind it were located the outbuildings.
After the death of Gašpar Ilešházi the estate was divided between his two sons. Gabriel received a portion of the assets with the Mansion and George took over Nemšovská mansion. After Gabriel's death, the owner of the whole estate became George Ileszhazi, who focused on the unfinished west wing and the arrival of Baroque wave established Baroque chapel of the Virgin Mary which included rococo inventory. The rooms had richly decorated fireplaces and stoves with stone columns.
In the east wing in the hallway were placed images of all Ilešházi family members in life size. South Wing was connected to the garden alley through oval staircase. In this wing Ilešházi had his red salon and guest bedroom. After the death of George Ilešházi the heir of the estate became his adopted son Nicholas, who carried out general rebuild of the castle in its present form. In the following decades only most necessary repairs were made in Dubnica Mansion.
Dubnica Mansion was as well richly stocked with a variety of weapons and ammunition and after the construction finish it became the seat of all Illešházi estates and dominiions. In the floor of the mansion were located bedrooms, living rooms and Ilešházi library, which included 6,000 volumes of manuscripts originating in the 18. and 19. century. It was build by seven generations and the final appearance it reached during the reign of Stephen II. Ilešházi, the last member of the Ilešházy family.
Article author: City Information Center Dubnica nad Váhom