History
The water castle in Hronsek was built in the 14th century and was rebuilt to its current form at the end of the 16th century. It belonged to the Géczyovsk family, and later other noble families also owned the castle. During the Rákoczio Uprising, coins were minted in the Water Castle and the cellars were used as a prison. The water castle served as a chapel until the construction of the articular church was completed. The original castle had a fortification built against Turkish raids, consisting of a defensive wall with 4 towers and a moat, which was crossed by a drawbridge. The walls with defensive towers were renovated in 1920.
Among the greatest gems of the mansion are the wall paintings in the interior, the chimney in the castle superstructure from the second half of the 14th century. Various animal scenes can be seen on the paintings, which prove that the original owners were hunters. In the halls on the second above-ground floor, after the plaster layers were removed, rare wall paintings with battle scenes inspired by important painters such as Leonardo da Vinci were revealed. The details of the battle scenes show similarities with the works of Giorgio Vasari. Fragments of biblical scenes such as the Sacrifice of Isaac and the iconographic scene of the Return of the Prodigal Son have been preserved in the northern tract of the main building.
One of the important owners of the mansion, Žigmund Géczy, was the father of White lady from Levoča Juliana Korponayová – Géczyová, who was executed in Gyori for treason. One of the legends says that Juliana, in love with the commander of the enemy’s imperial army, stole the keys to the city gate from the drunken mayor and betrayed her love for her city of Levoča, where she lived most of her life.
The present
The water castle in Hronsek underwent a long and detailed reconstruction under the guidance of prominent restorers. Currently, it serves the public as a historical object with the possibility of renting event spaces, accommodation in renovated historical apartments.
Art creates art and therefore various cultural and social events, concerts, theaters and exhibitions are held in the castle. The castle is accessible to the public as part of guided tours.
