Polish Crown Jewels were stored in the castle’s secret chambers for 36 years starting in 1655 to protect them from Swedish invasions.
The castle served as the official residence for Polish 'starosts' (administrators) for over 360 years during the Spiš town pledge period.
The on-site open-air museum contains a rare wooden Greek Catholic church from the village of Matysová.
In 1570, the castle hosted a high-level diplomatic meeting between the Polish King Sigismund II Augustus and representatives of the Habsburg dynasty.
The castle's foundation dates back to the 13th century, built specifically to guard a critical trade route connecting Hungary and Poland.
The Ľubovňa Castle is a 13th-century stone fortification that protected the northern border of the Hungarian Kingdom. The site houses an extensive open-air folk museum featuring traditional wooden architecture rescued from the surrounding Spiš region. It gained historical prominence as the location where the Polish Crown Jewels were hidden for safety during the mid-17th century. The complex showcases a preserved Renaissance palace and a restored bastion with original defensive features. Visitors can tour the interiors of the castle, which function as a regional museum detailing the life of the nobility and the castle's military history. The open-air section includes a historic wooden church, a schoolhouse, and traditional farmsteads illustrating rural life from the 19th and 20th centuries. The fortress walls offer panoramic views over the Poprad River valley and the town of Stará Ľubovňa.
The view from the top of the main tower looking down over the valley and the red-roofed wooden structures of the open-air museum.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear as the castle courtyards and paths consist of uneven cobblestones and gravel.
Allocate extra time to explore the open-air folk museum located at the base of the hill, which is often overlooked by visitors focusing only on the stone castle.
Bring a light jacket, as temperatures inside the thick stone walls and dungeons are significantly cooler than outside even in summer.
Attempting to climb on the preserved defensive walls or touching delicate artifacts within the restored chambers.
The open-air museum section operates on a seasonal basis, generally closing or operating with limited access during winter months.
