Zvolen Castle
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Zvolen Castle (Slovak: Zvolenský zámok or incorrectly Zvolenský hrad) is a medieval castle located on a hill near the center of Zvolen, in central Slovakia.
The original seat of the region was above the confluence of Slatina and Hron rivers on a steep cliff in a castle from the 12th century, known today as Pustý hrad (meaning "Deserted castle"). Its difficult access had consequence in relocation of the seat to the new-built Zvolen castle, which was ordered by Louis I the Great as a hunting residence of Hungarian kings. Gothic architecture of the castle built between 1360 and 1382 was inspired by Italian castles of the 14th century. Italian masons also contributed to a Renaissance reconstruction in 1548. The last major reconstruction occurred in 1784, when the chapel was rebuilt into the Baroque style.
Zvolen Castle hosts a gallery (including works by P. P. Rubens, Paolo Veronese, and William Hogarth) and a popular tea room.
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