Pustý Castle in Zvolen (source: Michal Svitok, TASR)
The research of Slovak Castles in 2018 brought about several interesting discoveries. Archaeologists focused on Bratislava Castle, Pustý (Deserted) Castle in Zvolen, Lietava, Divinka, Hrušov, and Plavecký Castle.
They discovered several findings at Bratislava Castle that inform about the history of this significant archaeological locality. They are mainly from La Téne era when the castle belonged to the compound of the Celtic oppidum. Silver coins of the Simmering type and a clip with a bird motif belong among the findings from this era.
Scientists also identified the construction of a fortified line with its wooden parts from the early middle age. There was also the skeleton of a huge man with fetters on his legs. It was partly covered with the skeleton of a horse and ram.
Four coins from the first Czechoslovak Republic were an interesting discovery from recent times. They were hidden in a container in the corner of the basement.
New castle
Archaeologists researched an unknown structure in the village of Podhoroď near the Ukrainian-Slovak border. They discovered that it is a castle from the 13th century that ceased to exist in the middle of the 15th century.
“The locality had worked only for a short time. Thanks to this, the archaeological situation was unaffected, and we can better interpret life in the 13th to 15th century in this castle that had two towers and fortified walls,” said Matej Ruttkay, head of the Archaeological Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra, as quoted by the SITA newswire. The castle used to be a seat of feudal lords.
The research also continues in Zvolen’s Pustý Castle, where archaeologists in 2018 researched and documented an old fortification. Research was also conducted in the discovery site from Great Moravia Zvolen – Môťová. The fortified settlement had at least three development phases – the oldest Great Moravian, another from the 10th century and the next from the beginning of the 11th century. Then, the fortified settlement probably ceased to exist, and the function of the central hillfort moved to Pustý Castle.
The research of Lietavský Castle continued in its 11th season. Archaeologists researched its original gothic chapel and discovered many findings from the era of Juraj Turzo – a Hungarian noble man and the judge of Alžbeta Báthory. In the case of Plavecký Castle, archaeologists focused on the renaissance bridge construction of castle entrance and found an object from the era of uprisings of František II Rákoci. At Hrušov Castle, they found coins and ceramics from the 13th century in the courtyard of the lower castle.
Much of the castle research has been conducted thanks to the Culture Ministry Let’s Renew Our House programme.
