**

As soon as I cross the border of a country my pulse rises.

** https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTrkYs1aYhk55GrRtNjrFS6LDphLkRiX8WGLAfnrGVGhi/Mona_Steemit_Bojnice.jpg
Credit: @snow.owl © INCME Today’s cause for my heart’s laughter was the **castle** you see behind me. This hidden treasure was a remarkable place for a Steemit celebration meeting with @bitcoinfused and @snow.owl. I invite you to join us.

Let’s have a look around.

https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRsNK3ajbEaAYrRySNYc2Cr8cyqPfQhLnPQcdTcRDXQJH/IMG_1049.jpg You might know this castle from the fairytale-series [Fantaghiró](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantaghirò_series) directed by Lambert Java, released between 1991 and 1996. The earliest mention of Bojnice Castle dates from the 12th century and since then it was owned by a number of kings and aristocrats. https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQme3ej9pDU6MdaBtaeex43vak5RyzHMMGzeCUkQADEbLPD/P1060675.JPG
Credit: @snow.owl © INCME Rambling around the castle one finds a 717 year old witness of former times. According to the legend this lime tree was planted by Matúš Cák Trenčianskyin in 1301 when the last dynasty king of the Arpad family Ondrej III died. More than a 150 years later King Matej Korvìn loved spending time in its shade and held meetings underneath the leaf canopy. One finds proof in the royal documents which were closed with the words “Sub nostris dilectis tillis bojniciensibus” - Under our beautiful Bojnice lime trees. https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmeDbkjfbagnMQom7HabcRaNwN6Qd5RENtd9RYXf5Kcu19/P1040964.JPG
Credit: @snow.owl © INCME **Not only around - but also below.** Since 1994 The international Festival of Ghosts and Monsters takes place in the castle and the cave below. If you find pleasure in these kind of adventures: the castle also offers guided night tours in candle light…ghosts included reportedly. https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaiXBe4VjwF8sRt1kFUEDrXzzyELyGej54UYXEF2h6Djj/P1050195.JPG
Credit: @snow.owl © INCME Up the stairs… https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQme328jRzkWr4YxLd3W8cYx76qaL1vm68tgvFpNhhi6Q3s/P1050059.JPG
Credit: @snow.owl © INCME It is estimated that the castle has 300 rooms. Today the interior is part of the Slovakian national museum. Especially thanks to castle’s last owner, Johann Pálffy, who was an eminent collector of art, we get to enjoy this journey to the past. ![IMG_1016.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVQrh8pGoUcmumYnRmB8FybeuEkFbrg5uAACTtrkFyPJU/IMG_1016.jpg) @snow.owl took gorgeous photos of every room - it was a marathon because the guided tour was very fast paced. If you haven't checked out his Introduction - https://goo.gl/6QK7wR (you will find truly amazing music there!) https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVnV5LRJvLmbwjsJE9JtMpf5rmfEwjwXnaGbX5UPFyK69/IMG_1030.jpg Many legends are being told about the castle. One of them talks about Jan Franz Pálffy, whose family rests in sarcophaguses in the castle. Only a few years ago Jan’s sarcophagus leaked from an unknown liquid. A group of scientists tried to discover its origin but failed to respond. Slovakian media found the solution - Johann Pálffy’s tears were dripping because of the handling with his legacy. I hope the man rests in peace. Part three of our journey you will find @bitcoinfused. Thank you for travelling with us!