Spiš Castle  The ruins of Spiš Castle Hungarian: Szepesi vár, German: Zipser Burg) in eastern Slovakia form one of the largest castle sites in Central Europe. The castle is situated above the town of Spišské Podhradie and the village of Žehra, in the region known as Spiš. It was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1993 (together with the adjacent locations of Spišská Kapitula, Spišské Podhradie and Žehra).

History of Spiš castle  Spiš Castle was built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier castle. It was the political, administrative, economic and cultural centre of Szepes County of the Kingdom of Hungary. Before 1464, it was owned by the kings of Hungary, afterwards (until 1528) by the Zápolya family, the Thurzo family ( ), the Csáky family ( ), аnd (since 1945) by the state (Czechoslovakia, and since 1993 Slovakia).

 Originally a Romanesque stone castle with fortifications, a two-story Romanesque palace and a three nave Romanesque-Gothic basilica, were constructed by the second half of the 13th century. A second extramural settlement was built in the 14th century, by which the castle area was doubled. The castle was completely rebuilt in the 15th century; the castle walls were heightened and a third extramural settlement was constructed. A late Gothic chapel was added around The Zápolya clan performed late Gothic transformations, which made the upper castle into a comfortable family residence, typical of late Renaissance residences of the 16th and 17th centuries. The last owners of the Spiš Castle the family Csáky deserted the castle, in early 18th century considered too uncomfortable to live in. They moved to the newly build nearby village castles/palaces in Hodkovce by Žehra (Hungarian: Zsigra) and Spišský Hrhov (Hungarian: Görgő). In 1780, the castle burned down, and has been in ruins since. The castle was partly reconstructed in the second half of the 20th century, and extensive archaeological research was carried out on the site. The reconstructed sections house displays of the Spiš Museum.RomanesqueGothicZápolyaŽehraHungarianSpišský HrhovHungarian

Spiš Castle by night Spiš Castle

 Spišská Kapitula, (both meaning the "Spiš Chapterhouse") is an exceptionally well-preserved ecclesiastical town on the outskirts of Spišské Podhradie, Slovakia, and overlooking Spiš Castle. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Levoča, Spiš Castle and the associated cultural monuments.

 The town consists of the Cathedral of St. Martin, a former monastery, and a single street, all of mediaeval construction and enclosed by a wall. The lower gate gives a spectacular view of Spiš Castle, located on an opposite hill.  Spišská Kapitula became the main seat of the church administration in the region in the 12th century. In 1776 it became the seat of the Diocese of Spiš.

 The cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries in the Romanesque and Gothic styles.  It is one of the largest and most interesting Romanesque monuments in Slovakia.  It contains many mediaeval carved altars and is the resting place of many lords of Spiš Castle; the 15th century carved marble tombstones of the Zapolsky family are of exceptional quality.  A recently restored wall-painting from 1317 depicts the coronation of Charles Robert of Anjou as the King of Hungary; another painting in the cathedral is the source of the name of the unknown Kirchdorf Master.  Spišská Kapitula was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

 The Branisko Tunnel is a road tunnel in eastern Slovakia. It is located on the D1 motorway at Beharovce - Fričovce section. Currently only one tube is open to traffic; the second tube is expected to be opened in the future.  Construction began in April 1996 on the northern (left) tube. The southern tube driving started in May 1997 from both portals using New Austrian Tunnelling method (NATM).  Works were slowed down in 1999 due to cost cutting for motorway constructions. The breakthrough was made on May 1, The southern (right) tube of the tunnel with the Beharovce - Fričovce section was opened on June 29,  The tunnel is 4975 m long. The road in the tunnel is 7.5 m wide, with 1 m wide sidewalks on both sides; maximum height is 4.5 m, maximum gradient is 1.2%. The maximum allowed speed in tunnel is 80 km/h.

Thanks for your attention.