An illustration from an 1857 historical newspaper depicts the surroundings of Levice Castle and the Dobó Mansion. (source: Archive Csaba Tolnai)
Restoration work has commenced in the historic castle park in Levice, a town in southern Slovakia, with the initial phase focusing on the removal of non-native or diseased trees.
The town of 31,000 acquired the nearly two-hectare site from the Nitra Region in 2017, already envisioning its future renovation. Now, with almost €800,000 in funding, the park will be restored to reflect its 19th-century appearance, writes My Levice.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the newly restored park by September 2026.
A park with historical charm
Historical postcards and old family photographs capture the park’s former charm, though time has taken its toll. The once-picturesque pond has become a dry, overgrown pit. The broken walkway is lined with rusted railings, and the entrance gate’s surrounding fence had been dangerously leaning until recently.
Maintenance had been limited to basic grass cutting and tree care.
Currently, only remnants of modern cypress trees remain, and their removal is part of the ongoing restoration. Other non-native or diseased trees have also begun to be removed, with work starting in February. They will be replaced with species that align with the park’s original 19th-century design.
A moat and botanical garden in the park’s history
“The park was planted in the 19th century,” explained architect Zsolt Papp, who designed the restoration based on historical records. He examined the park’s original purpose, pathways, and plantings. “We did not start from scratch; we also drew from previous studies conducted by university students in Nitra.”
A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers a travel guide of Slovakia.
Levice Castle, built over 700 years ago on a rocky hill surrounded by marshes, was originally accessible via a drawbridge, with a defensive moat encircling it. In the 16th century, the administrator of Tekov County added a palace, known as the Dobó Mansion. “Under its façade, on the site of the unusually wide, water-filled defensive moat, the castle park was later planted,” explains a plaque at the entrance to the castle and park. The plaque also features images showing how the area has evolved over time.
“Originally, the castle’s moat occupied the space where the park is today. It was later drained, and an orchard and garden were established in its place,” added Ladislav Vincze, an employee of the Levice branch of the State Archive.
In 1870, a botanical garden was even created for the local teachers’ institute.
Water to flow again in the pond
The next major change will take place in the coming months. “The revitalisation will involve several key elements: landscaping, hard surfaces, including a stage for cultural and sports events under the Dobó Mansion, the pond, fencing, and two new entrances to the park,” said the project’s architect, who specialises in the restoration of historic buildings.
The most striking transformation will be the pond. “It will be restored to its original shape, as it appeared 100 years ago,” the architect explained, referring to the current overgrown pit.
The pond will become a central feature once more, with a 20-metre pedestrian footbridge spanning across it. The pond is designed to be self-sustaining, with no additional costs, thanks to two water streams, Podlužianka and Perec.
Along the shore, reinforced areas will be designated for temporary market stalls during events. To accommodate small delivery vehicles, the main pathway will be asphalted, while walkways will be made of permeable gravel. The footbridge, benches, and other amenities, such as bins, bicycle racks, and playground equipment, will be crafted from wood. The fence will be restored using blacksmith steel, following an authentic design inspired by historical photographs.
“The fence has deteriorated over the years, having stood for more than a century. We have designed an authentic solution based on old photographs, which also depict the castle gate,” said the architect.
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.
