Part of the exhibition in the underground corridors beneath Fiľakovo Castle. (source: Marcela Ballová)
The former air raid shelters carved under ground beneath Fiľakovo Castle, southern Slovakia, are among the rarities in the country that attract visitors even from abroad. As many as 68,500 visitors over the past six years have seen them.
The castle itself dates back to at least 1242 when a written source states it survived the first Mongol invasion of Hungary. The castle burned to the ground in 1682 and was left to ruin.
At present, the underground corridors, which had not been originally part of the castle, house an exhibition documenting local events during WWII. The corridors were excavated during that time and residents of Fiľakovo would hide themselves there during air raids and bombings.
The exhibition started in 2018 has been gradually improved ever since. For example, the entrance was surrounded by mud and grass. Later, a proper interior entrance was built along with paths.
"Visitors are introduced to 19 educational panels and objects that were used in Fiľakovo and its surroundings during the war. These include mines, rifle parts, disarmed ammunition and military equipment," says Viktória Tittonová, director of the Fiľakovo Castle Museum. In addition to four display cases, there is also a command post with German and Russian uniforms and weapons, as well as facilities.
Spectacular Slovakia travel guides
A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to our Slovakia travel guide, with more than 1,000 photos and hundreds of tourist spots.
Our detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains, including attractions on the Polish side.
Lost in Bratislava? That's impossible with our City Guide!
See some selected travel articles, podcasts, traveller info as well as other guides dedicated to Nitra, Trenčín Region, Trnava Region and Žilina Region.
