Obišovský hrad, Medieval castle ruins near Obišovce, Slovakia.
Obišovský hrad is the ruin of a medieval castle on a hilltop at 360 meters elevation above the Svinka River valley. The fortification occupies a defensible position with steep slopes on three sides, accessible by marked walking paths from Obišovce village and the nearby train station.
The castle was built in the 13th century by the Abov family as a replacement for earlier wooden structures destroyed during the Mongol invasions of 1241 and 1285. The fortification served as a response to the security challenges facing the region during that period.
The site takes its name from the nearby village of Obišovce and served for centuries as a symbol of local authority in the region. Today visitors can observe how the structure reflected the power and needs of those who built and maintained it.
The ruins are accessible via hiking trails starting from Obišovce village or the train station in Ličartovce, with free parking available in the vicinity. The climb is demanding, so visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow adequate time for the walk.
The castle's modest courtyard measured only 25 by 30 meters (82 by 98 feet) and contained no agricultural structures, suggesting it served mainly as a temporary refuge. This confined space reveals that the site housed relatively few people and functioned more as emergency shelter than permanent settlement.
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