Also called Bystrica Hrad, this is a very beautiful castle ruin that has been carefully secured. Free access.
The castle is located on a limestone rock on the right bank of the Váh River. The entire district - Považské Podhradie - was named after the castle. As early as the 14th century, the castle had dimensions of about 80 x 40 m. Some sources state that up to 400 people lived in the castle at its peak. From the highest, northeastern part of the castle there is a wonderful view of the Váh mesto.
The end of the glory of Bystrica Castle came in 1698, when the imperial army, on the orders of King Leopold I, fearing that the castle would not become the headquarters of the insurgents, partially demolished it and set it on fire.