Chateau Strá?ky

The appealing chateau in Strážky is a gem of the Renaissance architecture in Slovakia.

The local part of Spišská Belá - Strážky in the east of Slovakia today represents a complete compound of cultural and historical monuments.

The chateau was built on foundations of Gothic castle allegedly constructed on ruins of Knights Templar monastery. It is one of the oldest in Slovakia. Owners of the Gothic castle, the noble family Horváth-Stansith of Croatia, gradually rebuilt it into a Renaissance chateau.

In 1588, Gregor Horváth-Stansith established a humanistic school in this family residence and continued in reconstruction of the chateau in the years 1618 to 1628. It was then that the chateau acquired the appearance, as we know it now. The original three-winged building was completed after fire in 1708 following a typical square-shaped ground plan with a square inner courtyard.

Baron Eduard Mednyánszky moved to the chateau in 1862. He brought there his 10-year old son Ladislav, who became a painter of the European significance. This artist painted several captivating landscapes with original social components during his stays in the family chateau at the foothills of the Tatras.

An English park from the 19th century enhances the charm of the chateau. Apart from valuable historical library, the chateau also contains canvasses of Ladislav Mednyánszky and the precious Ctibor's stone coat of arms from the Beckov Castle.

Reconstructed chateau serves to the Slovak National Gallery, which presents here its exhibitions - historical furniture and interior complements. One of them is titled 'Ladislav Mednyánszky and Strážky'.

Opposite the chateau stands the Church of St. Anna, which was built in the Gothic style. Near the church is a Renaissance belfry. These along with the chateau constitute the National Cultural Monument.