Krásna Hôrka Castle

Region: Košice Region
District: Rožňava
City / Municipality: Krásnohorské Podhradie
Tourist location: Gemer
National cultural Monument

The castle is closed due to renovation

The Krásna Hôrka Castle is located near village Krásnohorské Podhradie in Rožňava district in Košice Region (Košický kraj). It is dominant of Gemer region in eastern Slovakia.

In short from history

The castle was built as a guard castle on the trade route from Transylvania to Poland. It was built in the 13th century by Bebek family on the site of the previous hill-fort. Bebek family ruled in Krásná Hôrka from the middle of the 13th century until 1566, with the exception of the short period during which the castle was dominated by the Mariássy family.

After the extinction of the family Bebek castle passed into the ownership of the royal court and was administrated by castle captains appointed by king. Since 1578, castle captain has been Peter Andrássy. His grandson Matej Andrássy acquired the castle into ownership in 1642 by the Hungarian King and Austrian Emperor Ferdinand III.

Andrássy continued to build the castle and created from Krásna Hôrka Castle splendid aristocratic residence. The castle was rebuilt by Juraj Andrássy at the beginning of the 18th century (after 1710) and at the same was rebuilt the Betliar mansion owned by his brother Štefan Andrássy. At the end of the 18th century, they built a castle chapel and the family tomb of the Andrassy family.

In 1817 the Gothic part of the castle was burned and the most urgent repairs were made on the castle. The castle remained abandoned, but the preserved part of the castle was administrated and maintained, including the medieval collections. In 1857, the count Juraj Andrássy established a museum of Andrássy family in several rooms, which was made available to the public after 1867. After 1904 the castle part of the museum was expanded.

Present time

Since 1945, the castle has been property of state, and after its renovation opened to the public. The castle is currently managed by the Slovak National Museum - the Betliar Museum.

Fire in 2012 and reconstruction

In 2012 the castle burnt down (roof, exposition in the upper Gothic palace and bell tower), 90% of the exhibits were saved. At present, the castle is being renovated and reconstructed. After reconstruction castle should look like during the property Andrássy family. It is assumed that the castle should be reconstructed and made available to the public until 2021, some parts of the castle may be earlier in 2018-2019.

Krásna Hôrka Castle is under administration of Slovak National Museum (SNM) - Betliar Museum, which seats in administrative building in the area of Betliar Mansion (municipality Betliar).