Castles & ruins 20: Oponický hrad, SK

 


It is said that castle Oponice protected people of the Nitra river' valley since Great Moravia times (+- 9century) although archeologist cannot confirm that. King Svätopluk I liked the castle so much he hide there great treasure and his sword to protect it, but promised to his descendants that in times when people would need it most – the treasure will come out to help and sword – to protect them. 


So far times were not so bad apparently as despite many tries nothing was found.


What we do know is that sometime mid-13 century castle was built by Čák family, who owned several other castles in the valley. The castle was so important for them that part of the family actually changed the name in 1392 to be Apponyi de Nagy Appony (Oponice from great Oponice). The castle stand through Tatar and Turkish raids and local wars and being a stronghold even in peaceful times served as a safe place: not only many people built their houses around mighty walls, but rich people used to store their precious things and money in the castle tower.


This led to a theft of the century: in 1514 a noble women of 74y.o. Anna Ludanicka sent her servants to rob the castle – as she knew that the owners and part of the garrison were out. Her servants were in the castle before so they manage to sneak in and steal lots of treasures, but they were caught while loading valuables on wagons. 


The case was so serious the emperor himself got into investigation and verdict was cruel: all the servants were hanged, treasures returned and Anna was arrested in her own house without possibility to get out ever. I guess in her 74 years she didn't go out much anyway and what she was going to do with the loot I wonder?


Oponice castle ended as most of the region: burned during Husits wars it wasn't rebuilt and ruined until today. Now it is in state property and free to visit.


The castle of course, has a ghost legend too: unlike most of such stories it is about a man and like most of such stories it is about love. There was one noble knight - the castle owner, rich and brave, he married the most beautiful woman of the land and was happy – for about a year. Then he fall in love with some girl from the nearest village and he loved her so much he brought her into the castle. His wife, obviously, did not understood his passion and left him forever. 


Same night king stopped by at the castle, and what do you know – he liked the girl too. The king spend there more time than planned and at the end took the girl with him. That is how our unlucky knight ended up without any women at all. He was so miserable and lonely that he killed himself and his ghost is wondering sadly around the castle still.

from above: https://youtu.be/N6gonjUb6B0

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