Picturesque ruin
Šášov Castle is located above the village Šášovské podhradie. The ascent to the ruins can be managed from the village in about 15 – 20 minutes, a bigger problem is in the village with parking and it is more difficult to find a place to park. In addition, the village can be reached by bus, the stop is located a few minutes from the green marked hiking trail, which goes to the castle ruins.
History of the castle
The first written mention of the castle is from 1253, which was built to defend the area after the Tatar invasions ceased. The castle experienced turbulent times, when in 1306 it was occupied by the troops of Matúš Čák Trenčianský, then in 1329 it came into the ownership of the Štiavnica chamber count Imrich Bečej, who decided to occupy a few villages belonging to Štiavnica. However, at the order of the king in 1352, his successor had to return the occupied villages to the Štiavnica family. The castle subsequently became a royal property and in 125 years the castle changed owners 11 times. It was in the hands of the Archbishop of Jáger, Urban Dóczy, who enlarged the castle and turned it into a Renaissance aristocratic residence. The castle then fell into the hands of the mining chamber, which made it an important guard castle to fight the Turks. In 1677, instead of the Turks, it was occupied by the troops of Imrich Thököly. The end of the castle dates back to 1708, when the imperial troops blew it up rather than letting it be occupied by the Turks, and since then the castle has been deserted and crumbling.
Tower above the castle
In the past, a tower was built above the castle, which can be reached in about 5 minutes from the castle. There was nothing left of the tower, only the outlines of the castle walls in the terrain. The whole hill is overgrown with trees and there is no view and the ascent itself is slightly more difficult, especially in the dry season, because it slides a lot and it is a steep slope to climb.
Castle interior
The rest of the castle ruins.
Reconstruction
The castle is undergoing a gradual reconstruction.
West view
The Hron River dominates on this side
East side
From the east, Žiarska dolina with the river Hron also dominates
Looking south
From the north we see the Štiavnica hills and the village of Šášovské podhradie itself.
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