Orava Castle

Orava Castle rises on a sheer 112-metre rock spur above the Orava River in northern Slovakia, making it one of the most visually arresting medieval fortifications in Central Europe. First documented in 1241 as a Romanesque stronghold guarding the historic trade route through the Orava valley, it was progressively enlarged over centuries by Hungarian noble families including the Thurzó and Eszterházy dynasties. The castle gained unexpected international fame when F.W. Murnau used its silhouette as a filming location for the 1922 silent horror classic 'Nosferatu'. Today it functions as a regional museum, with exhibitions on the history of the Orava area spread across its tiered courtyards — the climb through successive castle levels ends with sweeping views over the forested valley below.