Castles & ruins 11: Topoľčiansky hrad, SK

 

By chronicles from 1235 king's castle Topolcansky was given to family Csák  to strengthen control over Nitra river valley, where family already had a few castles. 

So mighty Csák  family kept the whole region for many years. After them castle was owned by several other nobles and by crown of Hungary, later Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Obviously before 1235 the castle was already important strategic point but so far we have no reliable written evidence and archology is of little help since very few diggings were done.

The castle stand through many sieges, especially during Turkish occupation. Topolcansky hrad had visual connections with other castles in the valley (Gimes castle for example) and with signals' system could coordinate defense of the whole area.

There are of course several standard legends of brave knights gone to war and their faithful ladies, who died of grief when learn that the loved ones died heroically, and yeah – all of these hordes of “white ladies” are sadly roaming castle walls until today if you believe castellans.

Nevertheless there is a true story from times long gone: before Csák  family took over the castle it belonged to a stern valiant knight whos coat of arms was fierce dragon.

His strength was remarkable and many legends were told of the battles he won. The knight bore shield with the dragon and was a hero of the country. 

But when Turks came and their huge army took over the land our brave knight decided that it will be better to join them instead of resisting and started to rob is own people together with Turkish army. Sorrowful times these were, people were betrayed by the very hero they hoped will save them.

When the knight started to ride against his own people he lost his shield but seemed to be invincible as even without protection noone could hit him. In yet another battle though dark cloud covered the sky and black dragon fly out and burned the knight with hot red fire to ashes. Thus ended the life of the people' traitor.