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Horné Považie
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|  | Thanks to the unique natural scenery and abundance of cultural and historic monuments, the region of Žilina and its surroundings belong to one of the most attractive areas of Slovakia. The Malá Fatra National Park and the Protected Landscape Areas of the Kysuce region and the Strážovské vrchy mountains protect the natural beauties of the greatest value. The whole region abounds in architectural monuments from different historical periods. The most popular castles are in Budatín and Bytča. Visitors to the castles of Strečno, Starý hrad, Lietava, Hričovský hrad or Súľovský hrad can admire the skill of the old builders.
In the past the whole area was known for peddlers of wire craft . Their craft reached high artistic value and the preserved wire sculptures and utensils are displayed in the Tinkers museum, the only of its kind, in Budatín.
Žilina is one of the oldest Slovak towns with an abundance of unique historic and artistic sights. The Mariánske námestie square, whose foundations were laid down in the 14th century, is the heart of the historic town centre. The outstanding architectural monument of the town are the two-towered Baroque church of St. Paul the Apostle and the Jesuit monastery from the mid-18th century. The Roman Catholic church of the Most Holy Trinity was built around 1400 on the site of the former castle of Žilina. |
The adjacent Burianova tower is one of the oldest Renaissance belfries in Slovakia. Not far from the Mariánske námestie square there is an important work of Art Nouveau the Grand Bio Universum from the 1920´s.
The church of St. Stephen, situated in the part of the town called Závodie, is the oldest preserved architectural monument in Žilina. Budatín, originally an independent village, is a part of the town at present. The Budatín castle with strategic position on the confluence of the Váh and Kysuca rivers dominates this area. In the castle are displayed the collections of the Museum of Považie and the gallery, there is also a unique exhibition of Tinker´s art, this being the only one of its kind in the world. |
 | Bytča is an important town lying south of Žilina. The manor house, the Renaissance jewel of Slovakia, deserves the attention of the visitor. It is one of the few Renaissance castles in Slovakia which has preserved its original appearance without any later modifications. It was built in 1571-1574 on the old foundations of the water castle. A building in the manor house area is known as the Wedding Palace, this being the only of its kind in Slovakia. Its owner, a Hungarian Paladin Juraj Turzo, had it built in 1601. |
| The Súľovské skaly rocks are an attractive rocky feature. To the most beautiful rocky formation belong a 13 metres high Gothic gate, a rocky mushroom and many other natural formations with names that provoke fantasy, such as Maria Theresa, Owl, Spruce, and the like. |
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