UNESCO World Heritage – Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments

200 Sk commemorative silver coin

The Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad) is the most extensive medieval castle in the territory of Slovakia, and with an area of more than four hectares, one of the largest castle complexes in Europe. The earliest surviving record of its existence was issued by King Andrew II in 1209. In that period, the castle was already the administrative, economic and cultural centre of the county of Spiš. The original Romanesque stone castle with fortification walls underwent many alterations in the Romanesque-Gothic, Gothic and Renaissance styles. Until 1464 it belonged to the Kings of Hungary, and later to the Zápoľský, Thurzo and Csáky families. In the 18th century it lost its military significance, ceased to be the seat of its owners and began to decay. After a fire in 1780, it gradually fell into ruin.

In 1961 the Spiš Castle was declared a national cultural monument, and in December 1993 it was added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage, together with the other cultural monuments in its surroundings.