Spiš Castle, the medieval UNESCO fortress that has been the setting for legendary films

Nestled in a travertine landscape and perched on a hill, stands one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993: Spiš Castle .

Even though many of its areas no longer look the way they once did, it remains one of the must-see destinations during a trip to Slovakia , both for its majesty and for the unique panorama it offers of the surrounding landscape.

The incredible Spiš Castle

It is no coincidence that several scenes from famous and blockbuster films , such as Dragonheart (with Dennis Quaid and Sean Connery), The Lion in Winter (three Oscars, with Katarine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole) and The Last Legion (with Colin Firth and Ben Kingsley), were filmed within the ruined walls of Spiš Castle.

Spišský hrad (as it is called in Slovak) is a historical jewel of great importance, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the adjacent localities of Spišská Kapitula, Spišské Podhradie and the church in Žehra, splendid places that are definitely worth a visit.

Built in the early 12th century as a border fort for the Kingdom of Hungary, Spiš Castle became the political and cultural heart of the Szepes County over the centuries. Expanded over the years with palaces, walls, and a Gothic chapel, it was transformed into a Renaissance residence under the Zápolya nobles. Abandoned by the Csáky family in the 18th century and destroyed by fire in 1780, it eventually fell into ruin until its restoration in the 20th century .

Even today, some parts of the castle are being restored, to bring back to its former splendor one of the medieval symbols of this part of Europe.

Visiting it means immersing yourself in life as it once was: you can stroll through the courtyards and along the walls, catching sight of towers and gates, as well as many small and large details of one of the largest castles in Slovakia and Europe.

One of the highlights of Spišský hrad is the breathtaking panoramic view it offers: from up there you can see the Tantra Mountains and the magnificent surrounding natural landscape.

It is usually open from April to the end of October (closed in winter), every day from 9 am to 4 pm, but in summer it remains open until 7 pm. Entrance tickets can be purchased at the ticket office located at the entrance to the castle.

Where it is and how to get there

Spiš Castle stands on a hill overlooking the village of Žehra , in the Levoča District of northeastern Slovakia . It is located on the edge of the town of Spišské Podhradie, near the border with Poland.

It is 370 km from Bratislava , 70 km from Košice, and about 60 km from the Tatra Mountains . It lies between the Dreveník and Siva Brada protected areas: a landscape that contributes to an unforgettable setting.

There are two options for reaching it. By car, you can reach it via the D1 highway, which passes right by the castle. You can park your car in the Spišské Podhradie parking lot, directly below the castle, and then continue on foot for about 30 minutes (comfortable shoes are recommended, as the climb is quite steep).

Alternatively, you can park your car in the parking area on the eastern side of the castle, which can be reached by turning off towards Žehra from the main road between Levoča and Prešov. From there, it's about a 10-minute walk to the castle.

You can also get there by bus to the terminus in Spišské Podhradie, and then continue on foot along a marked hiking trail that takes you to the castle in about 45 minutes.