I think my man will never forget this run. Not because of the hot weather, not because of castle Muráň, but because of nearly 2 meters high nettle in Martin’s valley on educational trail Voniaca 🙂
A yellow-marked trail led us to the mouth of Martin’s valley. The valley is almost completely covered with forests and when we were there unfortunately with nettle. A lot of nettle. A lot…
The valley is flanked on the sides by high, sometimes almost vertical, rocky slopes and the cliffs of Strelnica and Šarkanica. It is 3.4km long with ascent of 520 metres, the hiking trail leads to a small mountain meadow with a view rock cliff.
Then we run to Well on muránska planina, to Poludnica and then to Muráň castle.
Poludnica nature viewpoint is a spectacular rock cliff and the sime time natural reserve that stretches below it. This cliff stands out of the dense forest near the former Marketiná mine. This is the most impressive viewpoint in the NP Muránska planina.
The Muráň Castle, one of the highest situated castles of Slovakia, was built as the royal sentry castle on top of the Cigánka cliff at the height of 935 m in the 13th century.
The castle thrived in time when it was owned by Maria Széchy, famous for her beauty. She was often referred to as the Venus of Muráň. The castle was then luxuriously restored and it became the meeting place of the nobility. Beautiful and bold Mária even defended the Castle against King Leopold I in 1666 but could not resist its occupation in 1670.
The Castle burnt in 1702 and was renovated only partially.
The Muráň Castle is now in ruins – only the entrance gate and tower survive. The complex occupies the area of 360×96 m. Its Gothic palace, fragments of walls and several service buildings are traceable.
