To the south of Žilina, the ruins of the once magnificent castle lie between the villages of Lietava and Lietavská Svinná; it was once renowned as Upper Hungary's impregnable fortress. A powerful magnate instigated its construction in the 14C. At the time, the castle was the nerve centre of a vast territory of 35 villages. It was destroyed in the 18C, but its ruins still stand proud. The effort of the walk to get there is rewarded with a breathtaking view.