SPIŠ ranks among the most remarkable Slovak regions. It covers the north-western part of the eastern Slovakia Region. Spiš is situated ont he crossroads of medieval merchant routes connecting north with sout and east with the west Europe.The castle is one of the largest castle compounds in Central Europe. The oldest written reference to the castle is from 1120. It was the political, administrative, economic and cultural centre of Szepes County of the Kingdom of Hungary. Around the beginning of the 13th century the castle hill had been fortified anew by mighty walls. Then the so called Romanesque Palace was built here. At its ground floor it contained some economic space, at the first floor there was a Chivalry Hall. Next to the palalce a new round tower was erected, right int he center of the ward. Béla IV. the Hungarian King realised that castles were effective int he defence against the Tatars. Soon the castle became the centre of the region. The upper part of the castle is the oldest and the most precious as well. The Zápolya noble family carried out late Gothic transformations, as a comfortable family residence. Today it is one of Slovakia’s most visited tourist attraction.The core of the region is formed by the basins of the rivers Hornád and Poprad, and the High Tatra Mountains.The alpine character of it attracts mountaineers. The Gerlachovsky Stit (2,655 m) is the highest of the High Tataras and of Slovakia as well.For of its height and breathtaking scenery it is one of the most visited and challenging peaks.
More information: www.spis.sk; www.spisskyhrad.sk; www.travelslovakia.sk
