Zemplin Chicava Castle - Hrad Čičava

The ruins of Čičava Castle stand on a hill 225 m above sea level over the Podčičva settlement. The castle was probably built in the years 1309-1316 and was the center of a large noble estate. It was a watchtower on the pass known as the "Gate of Poland", because its walls could be used to control the road leading to the main trade route with Poland. Originally it was a small castle with an irregularly shaped tower and courtyard, which was protected by a wall. There was a three-story residential palace in the courtyard. At the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century, it was thoroughly rebuilt and fortified to withstand a possible attack by Polish troops that invaded Stropkov at the end of the 15th century, causing significant damage. Back then castle was surrounded by a stone wall, a round bastion was built to guard the entrance gate and a large cannon tower over the steep slope towards Ondava. The protection of the fortifications from the north-west and south-west sides was ensured by the system of ditches and embankments, which is still visible today. During the same, there were stables, barns, sheds and granaries in the courtyard. The significance of the castle increased in the 16th century, when it hosted an assembly of Zeplin zupans (who were leaders of local district)). At that time, a county archive was created in the castle, which partially burned down in 1527 when the castle was captured by the Hungarian king Jan Zápoly. After this event, the castle was rebuilt and additionally fortified. Additionally, new forms of Renaissance building art were used. Despite the construction of further fortifications, it was conquered in 1684 and 1704. The final blow to the castle was the arrival of the tsarist army in 1711, when it was completely destroyed and since then it fell into ruin. Only in 2014, a local group of enthusiasts undertook to rebuild the castle and give it a new life.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle's archives contained the so-called Book of Lies and Liars, known throughout Slovakia as the "Chechava Book". Next to the names of liars, all possible and impossible lies and untruths were entered into it. Thanks to this book, a well-known Slovak saying was created: "It should be written in the Book of Chicava".