Not right?
by Wildcat Dianne
Milton, Florida
April 20, 2008
Hrad Tematin (tem-ah-teen) is located near the city of Nove Mesto nad Vahom (literally translated into English it means New City on the Vah River) in near the gypsy village of Bezovec and the town of Hradok.
Hrad Tematin was constructed in the Gothic style in the second half of the 13th Century. In 1524, the Thurzo Family took over ownership of Tematin, the castle underwent a long period of reconstruction.
The last owner of Tematin was Miklos Berczenyi, who was a member of the Hungarian nobility but against the Hapsburg Empire that controlled Slovakia and most of Central Europe and the Balkans. In fact, Berczenyi was a general of the anti-Hapsburg army who led an uprising in the early 18th Century against the dominant rulers of Central Europe. In 1710, Hrad Tematin was destroyed by the Hapsburg Army when they crushed Berczenyi's uprising, and the castle remains in its ruined state to this day.
Tematin dates from the Great Moravian Period and in recent times, arc-shaped coins from this time have been dug up by archeologists at the castle and in the Hradok area. An ancient Moravian settlement was discovered during this time, too, but a construction crew working in the area destroyed its evidence in the 20th Century, which has eliminated most of the evidence of the history and lifestyles of the ancient people of Western Slovakia.
To get to Tematin, one must drive or take the bus to Bezovec from Piestany or Nitra, the gypsy or Roma village near the ruins and hike their way in. There are various paths of different skill levels one can hike, but one must be in good physical condition and wear good boots or shoes in order to walk the hilly paths to Tematin. Bring water and sunblock and a picnic lunch because Tematin does not have any refreshment stands.
From journal Two Castle Ruins: Tematin and Dobra Voda