Trencin Things to Do

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The city of Trencsén is dominated by the Castle, which is the third-largest in Slovakia.
In the 14th century it was the property of Máté Csák, a famous hungarian medieval count controlling a large territory of the Tatra region, owned 32 castles in 12 counties.
He was a great battle strategist, because he always picked the right side to fight on.

The legend about the Well of Love located in the castle courtyard, tells a strange story.
Once upon a time, the Lord of the castle, a commander of the Hungarian King, returned victorious from a war with the Turks, he brought a present for his wife - a Turkish slave named Fatima. Fatima's lover, a Turkish nobleman Omar offered him camels, horses and gold, if he would set Fatima free, but the Lord wanted only one thing, a source of water.
Omar and his people immediately started the work and drilling four years long day and night through the rock they strike water 80 metres down. Omar immediately took a golden jug of the water to the Lord, who kept his promise and released Fatima.
The well in reality was dug for almost 40 years, and not by Omar's people but by the locals. They never hit a water source. The water you see there, which is up to 25 metres deep, is rain water that has collected since the 16th century.
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Some interesting part of the Castle - Ludovit's Palace built in the 14th century by Louis the Great, King of Hungary, - Matus' Tower, one of the symbols of the city, used as workplace by Máté Csák, Lord of the Tatra region - Palace of Queen Barbara, built for his wife by Sigismund of Luxemburg, King of Hungary and Croatia, later also Holy Roman Emperor - Zapolsky Palace built by Hedwig Piast of Teschen, mother of the Hungarian King János Szapolyai.

The castle is one of the National Cultural Monuments in Slovakia.
Exhibitions are organised in the castle as well as medieval music concerts.

Opening hours: 9am - 5.30pm, in Summer
Entrance fee Mini tour/Grand tour: 80,-/120,-Sk for Adults, 40,-/60,-Sk for Children

At the castle you will find the well which was digged by Omar, the Turk who came to free his fiance Fatima from the hands of castle´s owner in the times of Ottoman wars. Because of the hard job Omar did to get Fatima back, the well is called Well of Love. Based on this story, Omar and Fatima are turkish names which appears around Trencin as names of cafes or shops.

This stairway I put as an extra tip as it is quite special to our family. Some 25 years ago my dad carried my mum in his arms up the stairs when she was expecting me and they like to recall this memory anytime we are there :-). My future husband will definitely have to be able to do the same :-P.

"Do" eat it....

In a bar in a gallery I will recollect later... An enormous crepe in five petals, filled with ice cream, chocolte and syrup randomly disperse upon,

real paradise, expecially after a long ride from Sopron, Hungary.

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Pohoda Festival is a great festival, with all kinds of music, stuff to do, bungee jumping etc. etc.
When we visited, the big names in the line-up were for instance Wu Tang Clan, the Hives, and they had a nice dance tent too with for instance Dave Clarke, Adam Beyer, DJ Marky, DJ Shadow etc.
On the festival there was a really nice atmosphere, everyone was relaxed and friendly.

The festival costs 1300SK (about 40,- euro) for 2 days, but when you purchase tickets early it is even cheaper. A pint of beer costs 30Sk (about 0,90 euro), a Langos with garlic and cheese 45Sk (about 1,40 euro) and a Gyros sandwich 60Sk (about 1,80 euro).

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WE ALL BECAME A CRUISADER ON THE DANCE FLOOR. YOU CANT HELP BUT BE OVERCOME BY MASS AMOUNTS OF FOREIGN GROOVE. I INITALLY FLEW FROM ENGLAND TO SLOVAKIA FOR THIS FESTIVAL TO SEE ZERO7 AND GENTLEMEN. I WAS THEN SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT SKYE FROM MORCHEEBA ROCKED UP TO GRACE US WITH HER PRESENCE AND SO DID STERIO MC'S. IT WAS AN AMAZING 2 DAYS, CAMPING OUT UNTIL SUNRISE, BEING STUCK IN PIVO ( BEER) TENTS IN BEAUTIFUL EASTERN EUROPE. THE OLD AIRSTRIP CERTAINLY TRANSFORMED ITSELF TO ONE OF THE BEST OUTDOOR PARTIES OF A LIFETIME! I SUGGEST ANY OF YOU HEADING TO SLOVAKIA TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS FESTIVAL. THERE IS ALWAYS QUALITY ACTS PLAYING AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE TO MEET! IT OCCURS AROUND AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER.

The castle of Trencin is perched on top of a rocky hill. Entrance is not free but includes a tour and offers you a splendid view.

There is a museum, with expositions on old paintings and other artefacts from former days when the castle was in full motion. Birds of prey can be found on the grounds.

To climb the tower you have to take the tour (included in entrance fee), at the end of the tour you can climb the tower and the best view in Trencin.

The imposing castle erected on the hill near the city centre watches over the town. The castle was erected in the 11th century and enlarged in 13th century. On the castle you find the Cannon bastion, barracks the Clock Tower, a little chapel and above all the so-called "Well of Love". based on a legend of the love between the Turkish Omar and beautiful Fatima. Inside is a museum of town's history.

May to September:
Tuesday - Sunday: 09.00 - 17.00 (closed Mondays)
October to April:
Tuesday - Sunday: 09.00 - 16.00 (closed Mondays)