The castle is located on a high mountain (1,760 feet). The first documented family to live there was the Balasa family. Construction started in the 13^th century.  Additions have been made throughout later centuries. The first was a wooden rampart which became a strong wall castle in the 1200’s. A tetrahedral multi storey tower was built in the 14^th century. Sometime after 1474 King Matthew gave the order to build a square and residence wing on the middle level.  In 1534 John of Dubovec who was to become county head obtained the castle, during his time there many changes happened, he rebuilt, made new fortifications, gave orders for a new half round tower, 2 round fortifications, changed the middle castle levels use to cannon firing, building of a five storey palace and a new gate with ditch and a drawbridge.  After his death there were many arguments as to who should inherit the castle, at one point it was only used for storage as nothing could be decided.  As well as these people who made the most significant changes, other kings and rich sovereigns would also make it their home. The last family to live there was Thurzo’s, Frantisek did many things, he changed the upper castle stairs from wooden ones to stone, a cellar was dug under the castle court and he had a one storey residence built at the lower castle. The work was continued by Juraj Thurzo. After the death of his widow Erzsebet, the castle went to his daughters who left the care to administrators. Because of social and political changes much of the castle was disused and it gradually began to decline. In 1800 there was enormous fire which destroyed all the wooden parts of the castle.  Thankfully many objects were saved due to being under cover. The administrator Edmund Zichy needed to find a use for this historical place and formed an organization, whose aim was to turn it into a museum, the first exhibition took place in 1868. Today the museum continues and is one of the oldest in Slovakia. During the 19^th and 20^th century there have been repairs and restoration at the castle to enable it to continue as it was becoming quite ram shackled. The castle was declared a national cultural monument in 1953.