At Bojnice Castle, in the historical town of Bojnice, central Slovakia

 " ... A snowflake upon my window pane,

the January sun turns into rain
but closing my eyes opens a door
to where Summer smiles forevermore.... 
And though, snowy, is my beard;
my heart always will be there
underneath that lovely linden tree."
-- Under the Linden Tree lyrics
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(in central Slovakia) The historical town of Bojnice is found on the banks of the upper Nitra river, near the city of Prievidza. Bojnice is best known for its tourist attractions: the oldest zoo in Slovakia, the most visited castle, and one of the oldest spa towns in Slovakia. The town is situated below the Bojnice Castle, which is built on travertine rock with a natural cave. Blushing sandstone towers and crenellated turrets make this romantic castle the most popular in Slovakia. Only foundations remain of the original 12th-century fortification, but an early-20th-century reconstruction by the Pálffy family took inspiration from the castles of France’s Loire Valley, lifting Bojnice to the neo-baroque splendor that stands today.

+ Bojnice Castle was first mentioned in written records in 1113.. Originally built as a wooden fort, it was gradually replaced by stone, with the outer walls being shaped according to the uneven rocky terrain. Its first owner was Matthew III Csák, who received it in 1302 from the King Ladislaus V of Hungary. Later, in the 15th century, it was owned by King Matthias Corvinus, who gave it to his son John Corvinus in 1489. Matthias liked to visit Bojnice and it was here that he worked on his royal decrees. He used to dictate them under a linden tree, which is now known as the "Linden tree of King Matthias." The Thurzós, the richest family in the northern Kingdom of Hungary, acquired the castle in 1528 and undertook its major reconstruction. The former fortress was turned into a Renaissance castle. From 1646 on, the castle's owners were the Pálffys, who continued to rebuild the castle. The last castle owner from the Pálffy family,

 Count János Ferenc Pálffy, made a complex romantic reconstruction from 1888 to 1910, to create today's imitation ofFrench castles of the Loire valley. He was also its architect and graphic designer, while applying his artistic taste and love for collecting pieces of art (he was known as one of the greatest collectors of antiques, tapestries, drawings, paintings and sculptures of his time.) After his death and long quarrels, his heirs sold many precious pieces of art from the castle and then, on 25 February 1939, sold the castle, the health spa, and the surrounding land to Czech entrepreneur Jan Antonín Baťa. After 1945, the property was confiscated by the Czechoslovak government, the castle became the seat of several state institutions. Now a museum, the castle is renowned for its attractions, including the popular Castle Fairytale, the International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits and the Summer Music Festival. (The King Matthias Linden Tree, approximately 700 years old, is one of the oldest documented trees in Slovakia.)