Europe Explored » captivity https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Trenčín Castle – one of the most visited monuments in Slovakia https://europeexplored.com/2012/04/03/trencin-castle-one-of-the-most-visited-monuments-in-slovakia/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/04/03/trencin-castle-one-of-the-most-visited-monuments-in-slovakia/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:15:23 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=6582 Trenčín Castle is a national monument situated on a hill in the western part of Slovakia, in the city of Trenčín. It is definitely the main attraction of the city with a population of about 56,000 and one of the most visited monuments in the region and Slovakia at all. Photo licensed under the Creative […]

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]]> Trenčín Castle is a national monument situated on a hill in the western part of Slovakia, in the city of Trenčín. It is definitely the main attraction of the city with a population of about 56,000 and one of the most visited monuments in the region and Slovakia at all.

Trenčín castle, Slovakia
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marian Hubinsky

Trenčín Castle was built in the 10th century. Since 11th century it was the royal castle, which not only withstood Tatar invasions, but also served as a fortress against the Turks. It was gradually rebuilt and expanded, but the castle burnt down in 1790. Its reconstruction began just after 1945.

Trenčín Castle is accessible all year-round except for Mondays. You can get there directly from the city centre by following the street leading from the main city’s square (Mierové námestie). The castle is nicely illuminated at night.

Various events are held on the castle during the summer, such as folk exhibitions, fencing tournaments, live music concerts and more. One part of the castle serves as a gallery where you can see oil paintings of local nobility, emblems and seals.

The biggest attraction of the castle is 80 metres deep well, called Well of Love. The well is excavated into the hard rock and it is said that the well was built by Turkish Omar Pasha. Stephen Zápoľský held in captivity a beautiful girl Fatima, loved by Omar, and Zápoľský promised him that if he sink a well at the castle, he will let her go. The works lasted three years and then Fatima and Omar could really leave the castle.

In Trenčín you can also find many other historical sites. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Slovakia and certainly worth a visit.


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]]> https://europeexplored.com/2012/04/03/trencin-castle-one-of-the-most-visited-monuments-in-slovakia/feed/ 0 Zoo Schönbrunn – the oldest zoo in the world and best zoo in Europe | Vienna, Austria https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/04/zoo-schonbrunn-the-oldest-zoo-in-the-world-and-best-zoo-in-europe-vienna-austria/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/04/zoo-schonbrunn-the-oldest-zoo-in-the-world-and-best-zoo-in-europe-vienna-austria/#comments Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:53:03 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2758 If you are looking for a trip to world-class zoo, then you should visit the park of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna where is located the oldest existing zoo in the world with the only preserved Baroque menagerie. Here you can follow works of Maria Theresa and other members of Habsburg family, who created such an […]

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]]> If you are looking for a trip to world-class zoo, then you should visit the park of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna where is located the oldest existing zoo in the world with the only preserved Baroque menagerie. Here you can follow works of Maria Theresa and other members of Habsburg family, who created such an interesting park.

The local animal park was founded in 1752 by Emperor Francis Stephen of Lorraine, husband of Maria Theresa, in order to invite his noble guests, and simply to show them what his summer residence Schönbrunn could offer. Since those times a lot of time have passed so today’s zoo elegantly combines baroque menagerie with the most modern pavilions for animals. From historical events could be mentioned that in 1906 the first elephant in captivity was born here, which was a rarity as it was previously considered impossible.

The staff in Zoo Schönbrunn do their best to get customer satisfied and Zoo offers even night tours with a guide and a night vision device. Such kind of visit you have to book in advance and the maximum number of participants is 20 persons.

The Day Pass costs €14 for adult, but there are discounts for children, family, and Year Pass.

Zoo Schönbrunn is one of the best and most modern in the world. Visiting it either in day or night means you take a lot of experiences, impressions and knowledge.


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]]> https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/04/zoo-schonbrunn-the-oldest-zoo-in-the-world-and-best-zoo-in-europe-vienna-austria/feed/ 0