Hopes for legendary tunnel linking two castles up after underground cellar unveiled
Archaeologists are examining the ruin on the hill.
Legends speak of secret tunnel linking the Sivý Kameň castle and nearby Bojnice Castle in western Slovakia. In August, an archaeological survey is being carried out by both experts and volunteers in the ruins of the former, specifically around an underground space that is supposed to house a medieval cellar.
"A piece of the vault protrudes above the ground level, so we guessed that there was some space under the ground. It could be three metres deep," explains archaeologist Dominika Andreanská.
Lost history
Like most castles in Slovakia, Sivý Kameň has its own legends. A secret escape route was supposed to lead from a well in Bojnice Castle through a monastery in Prievidza and allegedly lead to all the way to Sivý Kameň and other places.
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The caste was erected in the 14th century and from the very beginning it was owned by a single noble family. It survived pillages, Ottoman raids as well as anti-Habsburg rebellions. It lost its importance after the family abandoned it. Very little remains of its structure and there is scant information of its appearance and construction.
This makes Sivý Kameň one of the least preserved castles in Slovakia.
"We want to restore it to its original status, even if today it is already on the periphery. In the Middle Ages, it had the same status as Bojnice Castle. They were kind of counterparts. Bojnice Castle managed the territory on the right bank of the Nitra River, Sivý Kameň on the left," reveals the archaeologist.
The only space with a roof
The exact purpose of the underground space is unknown at the moment, it is assumed that it was a cellar, kitchen or maybe warehouse from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.
"The space is interesting mainly because of its degree of preservation, in addition to the vault, the perimeter masonry has also been preserved. It has a potential in terms of future renewal and the possibility of holding events and promotions here. It would be the only space in the castle that has roof," says the archaeologist.
"This year volunteers approached us themselves to see if they could help. Whole families are here, we have a nice community forming here, and maybe even a generation that will take over after us," believes Andreanská.
Archaeological research has so far yielded the usual finds, mainly shards from ceramic vessels, tiled stoves and a number of nails, but also a coin from the beginning of the 15th century.
Castle gate unveils a rare denarius
Two years ago, during a research of the former castle gate, a rare Leopold I. Habsburg denarius from the 17th century was unveiled. It was minted at the Kremnica Mint in 1679. At that time, the castle functioned only as an occasional prison.
After research, the castle gate was preserved this year. Volunteers also take care of the maintenance of the area and make it available to visitors. "We are trying to make this ruin come alive," explains the archaeologist.
Not much architecture stands out from Sivý Kameň above the surface. Archaeologists and volunteers alike believe that many treasures and finds are still hidden underground, waiting to be discovered.
©My Horná Nitra
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