Branč

The ruins of Branč Castle crown a 475-metre hill in the Myjavská pahorkatina uplands of western Slovakia, overlooking the village of Podbranč. First documented in 1251, the fortress was expanded and partially rebuilt in Renaissance style before being abandoned in the 17th century and falling into decay. From the weathered keep, visitors take in a broad panorama across the Little Carpathians and the Moravian-Slovak borderland — scenery that immediately explains the site's former strategic importance. The hike up from the valley takes roughly 30–45 minutes, and there is an admission fee at the site.