Považská Bystrica

Považská Bystrica stands in the Váh valley beneath the castle that shares its name. King Matthias Corvinus granted the castle, town and surrounding villages to Ladislav Podmanický in 1458. His descendants Rafael and Ján became notorious for seizing neighbouring strongholds and estates. After a fire in 1543, they rebuilt and enlarged their castle. Later owners moved into a more comfortable manor below the hill. In 1698 imperial troops partially demolished and burned the fortress on King Leopold's orders, lest it become a refuge for rebels.