Bojnice: The princess castle

Slovakia is a country of many beautiful castles and chateaus. One of the most visited ones (rightfully) is Bojnice Castle, also known as "the princess castle". But why the princess castle? Of course, it used to be a home of the royalty, but nowadays, it serves as a museum and also a very renowned filming location. Maybe you already know this castle, you just didn't know that it is Slovakia. And you can bet, in real life, it is even better than in the movies. Besides, the staff is often dressed in medieval costumes, so you can really see a princess or a prince.

Bojnice Castle

Zámok a okolie 1/1, 972 01 Bojnice, Slovensko

What to expect?

Bojnice Castle is located in the north-west of Slovakia, in the town with the same name - Bojnice. The town itself is beautiful, with the historical zoo, thermal spa, and several museums. So, there are plenty of things to do for a whole weekend. But the main attraction is, of course, the castle. It was built in the 11th century, then rebuilt and renewed several times, until the final resemblance it has today. It was inspired by chateaus in the central part of France and their romantic architecture. The castle is open every day except on Mondays, and the ticket costs about 7 euros, which also includes the entrance to a beautiful garden. The visit could be super exciting, especially for the younger ones, during some specific days. For instance, each year at the end of April, there is an international Festival of Ghosts and Spooks, when the whole castle turns into a haunted house. Also, there are special events for the International Children's day or during the Christmas holidays.

Zoological Garden, Bojnice

Zámok a okolie 939/6, 972 01 Bojnice, Slovensko

Spotted on TV

Almost every child in Slovakia (and perhaps in other countries as well) used to watch "Fantaghiro", a 1990s Italian fantasy TV show about the princess warrior. Back in days, it was really a boom and, as bizarre as it sounds, some moms even named their kids after the princess Fantaghiro. One who is familiar with the show knows the evil Black Witch who was trying to destroy Fantaghiro´s relationship with her lover. Well, the Black Witch happened to live in Bojnice Castle! Fantaghiro is probably the most famous show among the foreigners, but also a lot of Czech and Slovak movies were filmed here. To mention one - Šíleně smutná princezna, a romantic fairy-tale about a very sad princess. It is actually a very nice movie, so if you find a version with subtitles, I recommend to watch it before you come to Bojnice.

While traveling across Slovakia, a visit to Bojnice Castle is a must. Slovakia has many castles, but this one is, for sure, the most popular, well-preserved, and many would also say the most beautiful one. It is actually listed among the ten most beautiful castles in the whole of Europe. And I can only agree with that. Thanks to its central location, beautiful interiors and exteriors, it is often used for filming. During some specific days, you can also see the staff dressed in historical costumes to make sure you get a unique experience. So, don't be surprised if you visit Bojnice, and you see princes and princesses hanging out.