Bojnice
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Bojnice (in Hungarian: Bajmóc, in German: Weinitz) is a small town in central Slovakia at the upper Nitra river, next to the city of Prievidza. Population: 5084 (1991). Best known for its tourist attractions: the oldest zoo of Slovakia, the best known castle of Slovakia and one of the oldest spa towns in Slovakia. The town is situated below the Bojnice Castle, which is built on a travertine rock. The castle has appeared in many international films and a well-known international festival of specters takes place there every year.
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Castle
The castle was built in the 11th century (first written reference from 1113). Its first owner was Matthew Csak, "The master of the Tatras and the Danube," who received it in 1302 from the Hungarian king. Later, in the 15th century, it was owned by King Matthias Corvinus, who in 1489 gave it to his illegitimate son John Corvinus. Matthias liked to visit Bojnice and here he was working on his royal decrees. He used to dictate them under his beloved linden tree, that was later named: "The Linden tree of King Matthias." After his death the castle became the property of the Zapolya family (see John Zapolya). The Thurzos, the richest family in the northern Kingdom of Hungary (now Slovakia), got the castle in 1528 and they undertook major reconstructions of the castle. The former fortress was turned into a renaissance castle. From 1646 on, the castle's owners were the Palffys, who continued to rebuild the castle.
Finally, the last famous castle owner from the Palffy family, John Palffy (1829-1908), made a complex romantic reconstruction from 1888 to 1909 and created today's beautiful imitation of French castles of the Loire valley. He not only had the castle built, but also was the architect and graphic designer. He utilized his fine artistic taste and love for collecting pieces of art. He was one of the greatest collectors of antiques, tapestries, drawings, paintings and sculptures of his time. Unfortunately, after his death and long quarrels, his heirs sold many precious pieces of art from the castle and then, on February 25, 1939, sold the whole castle, the health spa and the surrounding lands and forests to Jįn Baťa (the founder of the famous Canadian shoe firm).
After 1945, when Bata's property was confiscated by the Czechoslovak government, the castle became the seat of many institutions. On May 9, 1950, a huge fire broke out in the castle, but later on it was rebuilt at government expense. After this reconstruction, a museum specializing in the documentation and presentation of the era of architectural neo-styles was opened here.
There are many various attractions held by summer in the castle. Tourists' the most favorite are the Night Tours, Castle Fairytale, The International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits (http://www.angelfire.com/home/vj/Bojnice.htm) or Summer Music Festival (http://www.bojnicecastle.sk/PROG/prog-en.htm#10).
Zoo
The zoo (one of only 3 in Slovakia) was founded in 1955. In 1991 it had 242 different species and more than 2,000 animals, such as the Royal Condor, Mandarin Ducks, African Military Monkeys, Chimpanzees, Barbary Apes, Polar Bears, Brown Bears, Leopards, Lions and Tigers, Australian Red Kangaroos and mighty African Elephants.
Spa
The spa's therapeutic springs were mentioned in 1549 for the first time. Today they treat patients with disorders of the locomotor system, with rheumatic diseases, post traumatic conditions, conditions after orthopedic disturbances of the spine of adolescents, neurological diseases and occupational diseases.sk:Bojnice hu:Bajmóc ro:Bojnice