Lying well-camouflaged in the west of Slovakia amid forests of cultural splendour is Bojnice Royal Castle, the most well preserved castle in Europe, complete with the original furnishings of various periods.

In around 1113, a timber-built castle situated on Travertin Hill was mentioned for the first time, then one built of stone in the thirteenth century.

The castle has been the subject of near-constant alteration. The original Gothic castle became a Renaissance castle, and later, a Baroque gem.

Following a long period of stagnation, Count Franz Pálffy took ownership of the castle. A passion for collecting and a love of art were innate in him and he soon possessed six residences. He also set up an Oriental Parlour with Turkish wall coverings, a Moorish ceiling and many decorative vases, and tableware. The Count introduced many personal designs and also set up a music parlour with seating in the style of Louis Quatorze.

The most beautiful room in the castle is the Golden Hall whose ceiling was created from pinewood and is covered with gold leaf. In 1907, Graf Pálffy ordered from the Colli Brothers a copy of the Angel Ceiling that featured in the Academia Di Belle Arti in Venice.

From the entrance hall of the middle castle, a spiral staircase within the tower leads to various living rooms. The Blue Parlour on the first floor is named after a blue wall painting that is adorned with figures of numerous prominent families.

Zámok Bojnice is most certainly well worth a visit.