SLOVAKIA- TREASURES OF ORAVA

Oravsky hrad( Orava castle)

One the most beautiful and largest castles in Slovakia, in the northern Orava region, Orava Castle is situated on a high rock above Orava river. Oravsky Podzamok village is the starting point to the Orava Castle. As it usually goes with Slovak castles, it was built in the place of former fortified fortress. That was right after the Tartar raids, in the mid 13th century. Orava Castle was owned by many aristocrats, county heads and noblemen, protecting important road to Poland and serving as an administrative and military centre for the region. Since the 16-th century the castle was owned by Thurzo family. In 1800 the castle burnt out after several days and nights of fire. Fortunately, Francis Zichy had it repaired and reconstructed almost immediately. Shortly after, one of first museums in Slovakia was established here.

Dolny Kubin train station

Literary Exhibition of P.O. Hviezdoslav and Caplovic library in Dolny Kubin

Literary Exhibition of P.O. Hviezdoslav The exhibition is part of the P.O. Hviezdoslav Literary Museum, which was opened on 13 November 1954, the 33rd anniversary of Hviezdoslav's funeral. The museum is the oldest literary museum in Slovakia. It is housed in the historic building of the Čaplovič Library in Hviezdoslav Square in Dolný Kubín. The exhibition, in three rooms, brings us closer to the life and work of one of the most realistic, lyrical and epic authors of Slovak literature from the turn of the 20th century – poet, playwright, translator and lawyer Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav (2 February 1849, Vyšný Kubín - 8 November 1921, Dolný Kubín). Text and images are accompanied by genuine personal mementoes from the estate of the poet. These include his study, part of his salon, some clothing, anniversary gifts and personal effects. The exhibition is complemented by works by the painter Academician Eva Trizuljaková inspired by Hviezdoslav's Bloody Sonnets lyrical cycle. In front of the building is a monumental work by the sculptor Academician Fraňo Štefunka, a bronze, larger-than-life statue of P.O. Hviezdoslav. Next to the statue are four horizontal blocks with relief decoration and texts of the four areas of Hviezdoslav's work.