Perched on a gentle hill above the quiet village of Plaveč in northeastern Slovakia, the ruins of Plaveč Castle are a hidden gem with nearly 730 years of history behind them. If you enjoy exploring medieval fortresses without the crowds, this is exactly the kind of place that rewards the curious traveller.

The castle sits in the Stará Ľubovňa district of the Prešov Region, surrounded by rolling Sub-Carpathian hills, farmland and patches of forest. The landscape is peaceful and unhurried in every season — lush green in summer, golden and misty in autumn. The ruins themselves still impress: tall remnants of the residential wing and a solid circular cannon bastion on the northern side have survived the centuries. Restoration works have been ongoing since 2014, so the site looks better with every visit.

• Village of Plaveč (parking available in the village) — short walk up the hill to the castle, easy difficulty

• Every year, usually on the last Saturday of August, the 'Plaveč Castle Day' cultural event takes place here — great for families
• Restoration work has been underway since 2014; some areas may be restricted

The castle's name most likely traces back to the Cumans (called 'Plavci' in Slovak) — nomadic warriors invited by Hungarian kings in the 11th and 12th centuries to guard the kingdom's borders. A fascinating origin for a hilltop ruin in the Slovak countryside.