Chateau Gbel'any is a sumptuous mansion located in the picturesque Lower Tatras region of Slovakia. This charming chateau stands majestically in the midst of an English garden, surrounded by green hills, lush forests and well-tended vineyards. Its combination of fascinating architecture, rich history, and enchanting natural surroundings make it a coveted destination for travelers and lovers of art and culture alike.
Château Gbel'any History
The first mention of the servant village of Gbeľany, which was part of the Strečno estate, dates back to 1434. After the village was donated by the Hungarian ruler Sigismund of Luxembourg to the Dersffy family, Gbeľany had several owners. The first written record of the Baroque castle's existence dates back to 1756, when a conflict concerning the ownership of half a manor house was being resolved in Gbeľany. In 1771 the first known inventory of the value of Gbeľany castle furniture was made. It mentioned the chapel that, according to local memories, was located near the entrance gate on the ground floor of the castle. It was nicknamed "red" because of the Hološer carpets. The Szerényi family owned the Gbeľany estate until 1812. The new owners, the Nyári family from the village of Sučany, immediately began renovating the chateau and probably the park as well. In 1863 the Nyári family was replaced by Ján and Ferdinand Zichy, followed in 1883 by Count Juraj Majláth of Zavar, who married Countess Šarlota Zichy. In 1925 their son Ferdinand Majláth married Countess Huberta Széchenyi and immediately began renovating the buildings and putting the entire estate in order. After undergoing appendix surgery in Vienna, he prepared to return home on February 22, 1929. But he suddenly died of a heart attack, at the age of 38. The last lord of the Gbeľany estate, Dr. Ferdinand Majláth, has a grave in the idyllic setting of the Dielec forest. At the beginning of World War II the family moved to Bratislava, then, after liberation, to Hungary and then to Sweden. The Majláth family remained lords of the Gbeľany estate until 1945 when their property was nationalized.
After 1945 the Czechoslovak National Committee and later the Gbeľany Elementary School resided in the castle building. This changed in 1696, when the administration of the Malá Fatra Protected Landscape Area moved there from its previous residence in Budatín. In 1988, the Malá Fatra Protected Landscape Area transformed its category into the Malá Fatra National Park, which resided in the castle buildings until 1996. After the property was returned in 1996, the castle was returned to the heirs of the young former owners and they later sold it to a private company.
Until 2011, the building was closed and left to decay. The situation changed after the arrival of the new owners. Complete restoration work on the Majláth Château in Gbeľany began in March 2014 and lasted 20 months. The historic Château Gbeľany hotel began to write its own history in February 2016. Guests can find accommodation in luxuriously furnished historic or modern rooms, the BELENE restaurant with international and Slovak cuisine, wine cellar, wellness center, professionally equipped fitness center, two bowling alleys, a pleasant lobby bar, and several rooms for organizing corporate or family events and weddings, including the conference hall with a capacity of up to 200 people.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Chateau Gbel'any is its location among the vineyards, as the region is known for producing fine wines. This combination of history, culture and natural landscape makes Chateau Gbel'any an enchanting place that embodies the soul of Slovakia and attracts visitors from all over the world eager to immerse themselves in its beauty and fascinating history.