Považský hrad (other names: Hrad Bystrica, Bystrický hrad, Vágbeszterce vára, Waagburg, Bistrizza, Bestruche castrum) is a ruin of medieval castle on the right side of the river Váh, near Považská Bystrica in Slovakia. It is thought to be the essential part of silhouette of Považie and Upper Váh region especially. It is built on a cliff 497 meters above sea level. It was one of the most important castles guarding the valley of the river Váh. At the peak of its fame it was home of around 400 people. It is famously known as an "eagles nest" of the important Hungarian noble family of the Podmanitzky.
Text adapted from “Považský hrad” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Považský hrad ranks #2,806 of 9,079 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #32 of the 136 mapped in Slovakia. Founded 1316, it is older than 60% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 755 atlas entries founded in the 14th century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 1,688 times in the last 60 days, more than 65% of the atlas. 9 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Žilina, 22 km away. See how Slovakia compares in the castle statistics.
View on the interactive castle map →