Richnavský hrad

Richnava Castle, located near the village of Richnava between Krompachy and Kluknava, dates back to the second half of the 13th century. It was built as a royal guard castle to protect a strategic crossroads where the Hornád valley route intersected with a trade route from Šariš. Although its early history is not fully documented, in 1336 it became the property of Mikuláš Perényi, a high-ranking nobleman.

In the Middle Ages, the castle played an important role, especially during the election of King Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary (Vladislaus Jagellonian). In 1442, it was captured by Ján Jiskra, who sought control over important trade routes. After a long siege, Jiskra repaired the castle and entrusted it to Ján Talafús of Ostrov, who became its captain and later a member of the Bratríci movement.

In the 15th century, the castle became a site of ongoing power struggles. After the death of Ladislaus the Posthumous in 1458, Matthias Corvinus successfully besieged the castle, and in 1460 it was occupied by Imre Zápolya. Control of the castle changed frequently during this period, and Ján Jiskra temporarily regained influence over it. By the end of the 15th century, the castle passed to Teofil Thurzo, who used its strategic position to control trade routes.

In the 16th century, the castle gradually lost its importance. In 1528 it was captured by the forces of King Ferdinand of Habsburg and later assigned to Alexej Thurzo. After his death in 1543, the castle declined and by 1605 it was already described as abandoned. In 1693 it came into the possession of the Csáky family, who did not restore it and instead reused its materials for rebuilding the Renaissance manor house in Kluknava between 1715 and 1720.

A small archaeological research in 2009 confirmed that the castle was built in the 13th century. Today, the remains of Richnava Castle—including walls, moats, and a castle well—are integrated into the modern village, with surviving masonry and terrain features still reflecting its former size and importance.

Source: www.hrady-zamky.sk