Zvolen Castle

Zvolen Castle is located in the centre of Zvolen. It is a national cultural monument. The original seat of power was located above the confluence of the Slatina and Hron rivers on a steep cliff in the 12^th century castle, now known as Pustý hrad. However, its inaccessibility had the consequence that King Louis I decided to build a new castle in the years 1360-1382, which he built as a Gothic hunting castle. In its form it was completed in 1382, when it became the scene of the engagement of his daughter Mary to Sigismund of Luxembourg. Currently, the Slovak National Gallery uses the premises of the castle for its permanent exhibition.