The Medieval Castle of Uhrovec is one of Slovakia's most important castles. Its Romanesque palace, and especially the chapel, is an extremely valuable evidence of castle architecture in the period prior to the 13th century.

As National Cultural Monument, the castle belongs to the largest, oldest and the most majestic castles in Slovakia. The construction of medieval castles followed the era of Slavonic settlements and small guard forts on hilltops which had been built during the Great Moravian period (9th century). From the 13th century on, the king presented the best feudallords with castles and the duty of aristocrats was to protect the country against enemies.

With other medieval castles located along the river Vah valley is the castle an important part not only of Slovak Cultural Heritage but is considered to be a significant element in context of Central European Cultural Heritage.

The exacting construction of the castle began after the disastrous Tartar invasion in 1241-1243.

First castle buildings - the Romanesque palace and the chapel, were situated around the triangular courtyard. The most significant and important part of the castle is the chapel with the remains of interior mural paintings still preserved and is a very rare example of the Romanesque architecture not only in Slovakia, but in whole Central Europe.

In the 14th century the Gothic palace was added by the oligarch Matus Cak of Trencin, the much feared "Master of the river Vah and the Tatra mountains". The most intensive period of building activities was in the 15th and 16th centuries, when the owners (The Zay nobility)rebuilt the castle in Renaissance style. In that time the site was heavily fortified mostly against the Turks. This period of the castle development gave the main feature and its appearance.

The previous owner, the Archbishopric of Nitra, was expropriated by the communist state. The present acute state of disrepair was caused by half century of abuse and neglect.

Dilapidation due to weather, infiltration of water and wind, but also vandalism caused serious damages in material substance of the castle. The near ruinous state poses a serious danger to visitors. The most dangerous are static defects of the most significant parts of the castle - the Romanesque chapel and palace.

After decades of neglect the castle is structurally unstable and rapidly deteriorating and will suffer irreversible damages without immediate intervention and help.

A group of young people organized three years Summer voluntary workshops to remove weeds from the site and build paths for visitors.

The Castle of Lietava is one of the largest castle sites in Slovakia, and is renowned for its relatively well preserved ruins. Its Gothic-Renaissance remains have, to the present day, been protected by a massive threefold fortification with a semicircular bastion.

The most urgent task in the conservation of the Lietava castle is to assess its static defects and to prevent further damage by temporary restoration. Later, depending on financial support, more permanent restoration work will be realized.

The detailed measurement and documentation of the current state of the castle, through historical and archeological surveys, will provide the basis for the next phase of the reconstruction program. It is envisaged that the final phase of the program will entail the elimination of destructive plants and the introduction of information tables and guidelines to assist site-seers.

The castle of Topolcany, a former palace with a prismatic tower and two gables, arranged in the shape of steps, was rebuilt in the Romantic style at the end of the 9th century. Today, its large fortifications are crumbling. Much needed repairs to the shingle-roof tower, the interior wooden staircase and wooden floor are necessary.

These planned improvements will be completed by removing trees and bushes which cause stone damage and the installation of an information system to direct visitors all over the site.

Estimated costs for the castle conservation program: 500 000 $