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The small town of Zvolen, located at the confluence of the Grona and Slatina rivers, is one of the oldest in Slovakia. Back in the 4th century. n. e. here was located one of the most impregnable fortresses Europe - Old Zvolen, which was destroyed only once by the Tatar-Mongols. The ruins of this citadel have survived to this day and are now called Pusty Grad. Locals they like to walk there on weekends, and also gather around the fire and tell each other various creepy legends about this place.

Modern Zvolen attracts lovers of medieval architecture - several very beautiful castles have been preserved here. Today it is a calm European town, which is especially popular during the Christmas holidays: few places in Europe can find such cozy rural estates where they organize holiday celebrations according to ancient traditions.

How to get there

Getting to this Slovak town is not difficult at all. Today, a railway connection has been established: you can travel from Moscow to Zvolen by direct train, the journey will take a little more than a day. You can also drive through the capital of Slovakia.

Flights regularly depart from Vnukovo Airport in Moscow to Bratislava. From the Slovak capital to Zvolen you can quickly travel by train or bus. Traveling by car is also a good alternative.

The city is located on the railway line between Kremnica and Banska Bystrica. The fastest route from Banska Bystrica takes only 25 minutes; If the departure point is Kremnica, the journey will take about an hour. There are also direct trains from Krakow and Budapest.

Search for air tickets to Bratislava (the nearest airport to Zvolen)

Ancient city - rich history

In the 4th century, the territory of modern Zvolen was inhabited by Slavic tribes. That's when the first ones appeared settlements and the fortress wall on the left bank of the Slatina. After the destruction of the fortress by the Tatar-Mongols, the settlement was moved to a new location. Old Zvolen now bears the name Pusty Grad.

Over time, the new fortress became the center of the royal county, and Zvolen received city rights. At the end of the 14th century, Louis I the Great built the Zvolen Castle on the territory; this event marks the heyday of the city. In the middle of the 16th century, Zvolen became a powerful fortress, which courageously repelled the attacks of the Turks. By the beginning of the 18th century it had become the industrial center of Slovakia. Thus, over time, Zvolen from a reliable fortress holding out enemy attacks turned into a calm agricultural center of folk crafts.

Hotels

You will not find five-star hotels in the city. One of the most popular and elite is the 4-star Hotel Tenis. In addition to basic services, child care services are also provided, so families with children can comfortably stay here. Lovers active rest and sports guests will appreciate the golf course on site. If you are planning a trip to winter period, skiing possible. You can choose one of the 3-star hotels, for example Polana. It is located near the Zvolen Castle. Another 3-star option is the Academic Hotel.

A pleasant thing: in almost all hotels in the city you can stay with your pets.

Cuisine and restaurants

One of the most popular restaurants is Crystal Bar & Restaurant. The menu is based on European cuisine. If one of the traveler’s goals is to taste Slovak cuisine, then you can look into a place called Valassky Senik.

For national cuisine Characterized by the use of a large number of spices, it is represented by such dishes as halushki, all kinds of soups, schnitzels and meat culinary masterpieces.

Dishes made from potatoes, meat, dairy products and cabbage are quite common. One of the most popular dishes is “Spišská pohutka” - goulash with champignons and potato pancakes. Many dishes are served with paprika, as well as small dumplings with cheese and bacon.

Entertainment and attractions in Zvolen

The most interesting sights of the city are the ancient castles: Old Zvolen (Pusty Grad) and Zvolen Castle. Pristine nature and ancient ruins are an excellent landscape conducive to long walks. During the warmer months of the year, Pusty Hrad becomes a venue for theatrical performances in which actors act out scenes from the life of medieval Slovakia.

There are several churches on the territory of the city, the oldest of which - the Roman Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth - was built in the 13th century.

Zvolen Castle

For a long time, Zvolen Castle was the residence of Hungarian kings, who came to lands rich in game to hunt. Today, this majestic castle is a branch of the National art gallery Slovakia, which houses a stunning collection of paintings and sculptures.

Museum of Forestry and Woodworking Industry

In Zvolen you can also visit the Museum of the Forestry and Woodworking Industry, which displays a rich collection of historical furniture, glass, porcelain, watches, and folk costumes. The museum is located in the very center of the city, so finding it will not be difficult.

Zvolenska Square is the largest in Slovakia. The ancient houses located on it amaze with the beauty and originality of their architecture.

  • Where to stay: for a calm family vacation Ideal option with children - Ružomberok, noisy young people, snowboarders and pro level skiers

The city of Zvolen stands at the confluence of the Slatina and Hron rivers and is considered one of the oldest in Slovakia. Back in the 4th century, on the territory of modern Zvolen there was a settlement where Slavic tribes lived. Scientists attribute the construction of the fortress wall on the banks of the Slatina to the same time. Zvolen is famous for the fact that its fortress was the center of royal power in the Middle Ages, and in the 14th century, Louis I the Great even built the famous Zvolen Castle. It was this time that can be called the heyday of the city. In the 16th century, Zvolen was considered one of the best fortresses in Slovakia and repeatedly repelled attacks by the Turks. And in the 18th century, the city turned into the industrial center of the country, where folk crafts were well developed. Unfortunately, the ancient city on this site was destroyed more than once - for example, after the invasion of the Tatar-Mongols. What remains of the ancient buildings now bears the name Pusty Grad.

Currently, city guests are invited to visit Zvolen Castle and Pusty Grad Castle (Old Zvolen). Pusty Grad is a picturesque ruin against the backdrop of pristine nature. It’s nice to walk here in the warm season; moreover, then theatrical performances with the participation of professional actors are held on the territory of Pusty Grad, in which you can see scenes from the history of Slovakia and learn about medieval inhabitants, customs and ways of life. Also in Zvolen you can visit ancient churches - for example, the Church of St. Elizabeth, which was built in the 13th century. And on Zvolenskaya Square you can see many old houses built in original architectural styles. One of the most notable attractions of Zvolen is Zvolen Castle, which was the residence of the Hungarian kings. Currently, within the walls of the castle there is a branch of the National Art Gallery, where you can see paintings and sculptures created in different centuries by local and European masters. There is a museum in Zvolen where furniture from various historical periods, folk costumes, porcelain and glass are exhibited.

If you are wondering where to stay in Zvolen, there are many options. For example, the 4-star Hotel Tenis offers not only cozy rooms, but also excellent relaxation opportunities for those who like to have an active time. It has its own golf course and tennis court, and skiing is available in winter. Among the 3-star hotels, we can mention Polana next to Zvolen Castle and the Academic Hotel. You can try European cuisine at the local Crystal Bar Restaurant. But the Slovak ones National dishes The food is excellent at Valassky Senik. Be sure to order the Spišská pohutka dish here, which is goulash with champignons and potato pancakes.

Useful information for tourists about Zvolen in Slovakia - geographical position, tourism infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Zvolen is a Slovak city of forty-four thousand, on the site of which in the 9th century stood the Great Moravian settlement of Muoteva, which disappeared into the depths of the 11th century. The defensive responsibilities of the disappeared settlement were taken over by the Old Zvolen fortress, now known as Pusty Grad. This citadel in medieval Europe was considered one of the most impregnable.

Pusty Castle, which became the center of the royal commitat in 1172, was granted city rights by the King of Hungary sixty years later, which stimulated its development. The consequence of continued progress was the construction of the Zvolen Castle in the 14th century by King Louis I the Great, who was concerned about the inviolability of his growing wealth. But this prudent step did not deter envious neighbors.

Janos Hunyadi, who took Pusty Grad after the siege of 1542, considered it necessary to burn the extracted city. However, twelve years later, Zvolen's importance increased dramatically. The reason for this was the fall of the Filyakovo fortress under Turkish pressure, the defensive functions of which were inherited by Zvolen. The additional fortification measures carried out strengthened the power of the fortress, which the restless Turkish conquerors never managed to take.

Ferenc Rakoczi's Kurucians did this for the Janissaries, who set the city on fire in 1702. Nevertheless, Zvolen, revived in the 18th century, acquired a reputation as an important industrial center Slovakia. In response to such a flattering opinion, in 1872 a railway line was laid through the city towards Budapest.

Zvolen, which entered Czechoslovakia as a regional center, became in 1944 one of the centers of the Slovak popular uprising. Its Three Oaks airfield received Soviet aircraft transporting military assistance. Liberated Zvolen in 1945 Soviet army returned again in 1968, only to finally leave Slovak soil in 1990.

Excursion routes around Zvolen usually start from the Námestí SNP square, the dominant feature of which is the 14th century parish church dedicated to St. Alzbeta. Another temple building, which is a not so ancient evangelical church, stands out high tower.

The next point of a sightseeing tour of the city is traditionally considered to be Zvolen Castle, founded in 1382. The castle, which became the property of the Thurzo family in the 15th century, was reconstructed by the new owners in the Renaissance style and further strengthened. The now renovated Zvolen Castle has provided its baroque halls for an exhibition of Gothic sculpture, adjacent to examples of European art, attributed by art historians to the 16th – 18th centuries.

 

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