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Kéktúra
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A kéktúrázás napja
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Photo: Peter Halaj, Šariš region
It is believed that the castle was built in the late 13th century and served to control an important passage through the Hornád Valley. It belonged to the Drienov branch of the Abov family and appears in written sources under the names Sumus or Drienov. Thanks to its strategic location, it formed part of a network of castles that communicated with one another via signal fires. From the castle, it was possible to overlook the Hornád and Torysa valleys and major trade routes leading to Spiš and Šariš.
After the Drienov branch of the Abov family died out in the early 16th century, the castle gradually fell into disrepair and was abandoned. Tradition also links it to the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, who often hunted in the surrounding forests.
An important milestone was the archaeological investigation of the site. Research conducted in the 1990s, followed by further archaeological work, yielded a wealth of information about the castle’s appearance and uncovered ceramic and metal artifacts documenting its medieval history.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
- Stay on the existing trails.
- The ground may be slippery after rain.
- Watch out for uneven surfaces and remnants of walls hidden beneath the vegetation.
- Sturdy hiking boots are recommended.
- Use tick repellent during the summer months.
Tips and suggestions
What You'll See Here- the ruins of a medieval castle hidden in the forest,
- preserved defensive ramparts and moats,
- archaeological remains of the castle’s inner keep and outer bailey,
- an information board about the site’s history,
- the site of the former palace and residential quarters of the castle,
- the authentic atmosphere of a forgotten medieval settlement.
The castle hill is now completely forested, so it does not offer views of the surrounding countryside. Its charm lies primarily in the atmosphere of the ancient forest and in discovering the history hidden among the trees.
Points of Interest
The castle was one of the most important settlements in the southern part of the historic Šariš County.
The Chapel of St. Helena was likely also part of the castle.
In the past, it was possible to maintain visual communication from the castle with Soľnohrad (Zbojnícky Castle), Hradová near Košice, and other watchpoints.
The site is one of the least-studied medieval castles in the vicinity of Košice and Prešov.
Roadbook
The easiest route follows forest trails:
from the cemetery in Kysak, or from the small forest chapel above the village.
The hike takes about 40 minutes.
Landmark
A good landmark is the telecommunications tower located near the castle hill.
Public transport
Nearest train station: KysakNearest bus stop: Kysak
Parking
- behind the village, near the forester's lodge
- in the village, near the cemetery
Coordinates
Equipment
- Sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles
- Clothing appropriate for the current weather
- Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
- Plenty of drinking water (there is no reliable water source along the route)
- A small snack
- Cell phone with a fully charged battery
- Hiking map or GPS
- Tick and insect repellent (spring–fall)
- First-aid kit for basic treatment
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions