Article Zakyl Castle
Ruins in the forest
The ruins of Žakýl Castle are located on Brezovo vrch (812 m above sea level), about 1.5 km from the village of Podhorie on the Žakýlske pleso nature trail. The castle is like a 4 stop on the nature trail itself, while close to the castle there is another 5 stops on the nature trail Žakýlske pleso, which is a natural monument. The castle is located on a blue marked hiking trail, which begins in the parking lot in the village of Podhorie, part of Žakýl. The journey to the castle and back takes about 3 hours with a walk to Žakýlské pleso and a short stop at all interesting places.
Cultural landscape
The first part of the road passes along the weaker marked part of the road, where you can turn badly once in a while. From the beginning, the road passes through cultivated meadows, where you can see significant traces of grazing. During most of the trip, it is possible to follow the surroundings of the Štiavnica Hills with a distinctive calvary above Banská Štiavnica and the highest peak of the entire Sitno mountain range.
Surrounding forests
About halfway through the path, the path leads from meadows to oak-hornbeam to beech forests. This part passes along a forest road, and over time, a turn to the left leads to the top, which climbs to the top of the castle.
Castle ruins
All that remains of the castle are the ruins depicting the foundations of the castle. Although the castle was in an important place controlling the road to Banská Štiavnica from the north, there are no historical mentions of it. After extensive research, it was found that it was a larger castle with a floor plan of 80 × 20 m, which was subsequently surrounded by a rampart and a large fort with an area of 120 × 60 m. It is interesting that there are two tunnels on the castle, which face to the courtyard of the castle. Based on research, the castle was probably used between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Žakýlske pleso
After a short and intense descent, when it is necessary to overcome 50 altitude meters, you can get to Žakýlské pleso. It is a small natural lake, which was formed in the natural depression in volcanic rocks. The lake is protected for the protection of rare aquatic and swampy habitats, which is provided with a gradually grounded lake.
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