This central Slovakian city houses a medieval castle and was the coronation site of King Matthias Corvinus in 1458. A key railway hub with 54,000 residents.
Zvolen, a city of 43,000 in central Slovakia, lies at the meeting point of the Hron and Slatina rivers. The 14th-century castle, now housing the Slovak National Gallery, rises above the main square. You'll find the Royal Hall with its 78 emperor portraits, Gothic churches with baroque elements, and restaurants serving bryndzové halušky. On a forested hill above the city, the ruins of Pustý hrad castle spread across 76,000 square meters, making it one of Europe's largest medieval castle complexes.
Exploring Zvolen Castle
The Gothic-Renaissance Zvolen Castle overlooks the city center from its position above the Slatina River. King Louis I built it in the 1370s as a hunting lodge, and later rulers converted it into a defensive stronghold. The Royal Hall contains a unique coffered ceiling with 78 portraits of Roman and German emperors. The Slovak National Gallery displays several exhibitions here, including medieval art and works by European masters like Rubens and Veronese.
Walking Through SNP Square
Námestie SNP, the main square of Zvolen, forms one of Slovakia's largest rectangular town squares. The 14th-century Roman Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth stands in the square, combining Gothic architecture with later Baroque modifications. In winter, you can ice skate on the square, while December brings Christmas markets and celebrations. In the surrounding streets, you'll find restaurants serving Slovak dishes like bryndzové halušky (sheep cheese dumplings) and kapustnica (sauerkraut soup).
Hiking to Pustý Hrad
The ruins of Pustý hrad ("Deserted Castle") occupy 76,000 square meters on a hill south of town. A marked trail starts at the ice stadium and leads to the castle ruins. You'll need about 30 minutes to reach the top, where you can see across Zvolen and the surrounding mountains. While the castle dates to the 11th century, most remaining structures come from later periods.
Getting to Zvolen
You can reach Zvolen easily from major Slovak cities. Trains run regularly from Bratislava (3 hours) and Košice (3.5 hours), and buses connect to regional destinations. By car, take routes E77 or E58 - the drive from Bratislava takes about 2 hours.
Day Trips from Zvolen
You can visit several cities within an hour's drive of Zvolen. In Banská Štiavnica, 30 minutes away, you'll see medieval mining sites and two castles - the town has UNESCO World Heritage status. Kremnica, 45 minutes away, has a mint museum and medieval buildings. For hiking, head to Slovenský raj National Park, 90 minutes east of the city.
