THE FOUNDATION of a defensive tower was found on a castle hill near the town of Širkovce in the Rimavská Sobota district. Archaeological research in the summer and early autumn turned a good deal of pottery and silver coins of King Ladislaus V and Emperor Rudolf II.
The archaeological research was conducted by the municipality, which received a €5,000 grant from the Culture Ministry. Eight locals helped with the excavations and research, Mayor Nándor Kisfaludi told the SITA newswire.
“We proved that there are walls under the surface,” he said, adding that a hiking trail leads to the castle ruins and the archaeological findings could attract more visitors to the area.
The castle, called Kapla, sat atop a hill in the Middle Ages, and its design remained a mystery after it was levelled in the 16th century, head of the Gemer-Malohont Museum in Rimavská Sobota Alexander Botoš told SITA.
The research has allowed them to re-create the castle’s medieval design, the most important part of which was a fortified defensive tower. It was relatively small and was probably used as a last resort when the castle was under siege.
Among the coins found at the site, one of Rudolf II dating from 1580 was unearthed. A tiled stove with a scene depicting St Barbara was also found. The tile was made in the late 15th century in a Banská Bystrica workshop. More tiles dating from the 15th and 16th century were also discovered, as well as two musical instruments and a piece of roof covering.
The items will be restored in the local museum and perhaps presented in an exhibition.
