Šomoška Castle, Medieval castle in Lučenec District, Slovakia
Šomoška Castle is a castle on a volcanic peak in the Lučenec District, built with thick defensive walls and artillery towers. The structure follows a pentagonal stone layout that rises at 490 meters elevation.
The castle was founded in the late 1200s by the Kacsics family and served as a border fortress for centuries. Ottoman forces captured it in 1576 and held control of the site.
Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi documented the castle's architectural elements in the 1840s, noting the irregular pentagonal and hexagonal stone formations.
The ruins are reachable from both Slovakia and Hungary, with hiking trails to the summit through the Čierna hora Protected Area. The climb is manageable on foot and offers views across the surrounding region.
Inside are a circular water cistern and underground chambers that stored artillery during medieval battles. These hidden spaces show how carefully defenders organized the site.
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