Trenčín Castle (source: Daniel Goldbach)
Trenčín Castle is set to undergo a major transformation with a record-breaking €6.5 million investment, funded by the EU as part of the European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026 project. The landmark renovation will breathe new life into six buildings and introduce a unique chance for visitors to spend a night within its mediaeval walls, cementing the castle’s role as a centrepiece of the cultural celebration, reports My Trenčín.
Reconstruction work on Trenčín Castle is set to begin in the coming months, with previously inaccessible areas, modern exhibitions, and new event spaces opening up to visitors.
"This year, we’ll be restoring the first castle gate, the Clock Tower, the castle wall, the amphitheatre, the Cavalier, Jeremiah’s Bastion, and the palaces in the upper castle," explained Trenčín Museum Director Peter Martinisko. "The largest investments—totalling up to €3.7 million—will go into the renovation of Jeremiah’s Bastion, the Ľudovít Palace, and the Zápoľský Palace. The project will also include a completely new exhibition to replace the existing one."
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Sleeping in the castle should be an experience
The first castle gate is set to offer accommodation in the future, with its interiors undergoing a full-scale reconstruction.
"The roof and all engineering networks will also be replaced. It will be accessible to those seeking a unique stay and will serve as a residence for artists coming to the castle to create their works,” said Martinisko.
The lower courtyard of Trenčín Castle, along with all walking areas within the amphitheatre, is set for a major overhaul.
Work on the Clock Tower, currently closed to the public, will cost more than €1.2 million. A wooden walkway and staircase will be added to connect the barracks building to the tower, which will be made accessible via a new staircase across its four storeys. The surrounding paved area will also be repaired.
The Cavalier, a former military artillery fortress, will undergo a €800,000 transformation, creating a new space for exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and small-scale outdoor events. The renovation will also open up a new viewpoint for visitors.
In the upper castle, the Jeremiah Bastion, Zápoľský Palace, and Ľudovít Palace will all undergo significant reconstruction. The Jeremiah Bastion will feature a multimedia presentation of the castle’s military history, including its sieges, and will become accessible from within.
"The tower has been renovated before but never properly maintained or made fully accessible. This time, we’ll focus on its military and southern fortifications, with the exhibition doubling as a multimedia room for projection and interaction," Martinisko said.
Zápoľský and Ľudovít Palaces will see a complete interior renovation, including a brand-new castle exhibition with modern displays to enrich the visitor experience. However, the sensitive nature of the monuments and the financial demands of construction pose challenges for these updates.
Due to the extensive work, visitors will only be able to access the castle through the already-renovated southern fortifications for a period.
"We expect a drop in visitor numbers this year because of the work, but we hope to exceed the 200,000 annual visitor mark in 2026,” Martinisko added.
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