The castle consisted of two parts, Lower and Upper Castle, which we can visit today. In recent years, archaeologists have done a lot of work, making the walls of the Desert Castle one of the largest in Europe. Archaeological research at the Upper Castle has proven the existence of an older earthen mound on which the medieval wall was built. Research at the Lower Castle, on the other hand, proved the existence of an older, earthy prehistoric mound below the western line of the medieval fortifications.The oldest medieval building in the Pust Castle is the tower of a comitate castle from the end of the 12th century. Along with the related fortifications, it is located at the highest point of the castle hill - at an elevation of 571 m asl. A little younger is the royal residential tower at the Lower Castle 100 meters lower. After the Tatar invasion, a large fortification with a connecting wall of 206 meters was created in the Pustý Castle. In 13th century a second tower was built at the Upper Castle and at the end of the 13th century a four-storey tower was added to the entrance gate of the Upper Castle. To the northeast of the residential tower was built a defensive tower and its transverse wall. This was how the dam was built when another castle was built as a separate defensive and residential unit within the Upper Castle. County castle from the end of the 13th century. was built into its northern tip. It has a separate fortification, palace, pre-palace building, cistern and the entire courtyard has been modified using terraces.

The castle was built on the king's orders and was the administrative center of the Zvolen Grand Chamber. The first robes to be documented in 1222 were Dietrich, Synek's son. The Tatar invasion in 1241 was probably the motivation for the construction of the stone wall, which created a refuge. Development later continued with the construction of a bastion and a transverse wall, which separated the northern part of the castle. The main transformation of the castle meant the creation of a separate part at the northern end of the castle layout. The construction activity falls within the term of office of the comet Demeter Balassa and his important nephew Magister Donč.

However, the castle was conquered by the army of Karol Róbert from the Naples branch of the Anjou family, and the castle was also ruled by Matúš Čák for some time. However, the conquest caused an even more intense continuation of the fortification work, as they also strengthened the older donjon. The lower castle was a bit more modest, but both castles were connected by an artificially elevated road on the crown of a brick terrace, possibly a wall. Probably the lower castle was part of the construction of a refuge from the middle of the 13th century.

The area covered by the castle was reduced in the 1930s by the division of the committee and the formation of the Zvolen capital. The new seat of the rulers during their stays in Zvolen became a castle (Gothic castle) built in the vicinity of the city. The old castle continued to serve officials, soldiers and craftsmen.

The importance of the castle increased again in the middle of the 15th century. Elected with the adjacent region at that time was controlled by the Czech commander Ján Jiskra, representing in Hungary the rights of the widowed Queen Elizabeth. During the fighting between the opposing parties, Jiskrov was attacked by the biggest rival Ján Hunyadi and Zvolen. He attacked the seat of Ján Jiskra in 1447 and 1451. However, we do not know whether he conquered a castle or a chateau. In 1450 the upper castle burned down. War events and demanding maintenance probably contributed to the launch of the old Zvolen Castle in the late Middle Ages. One of the functions of the castle was partially restored at the time of the Ottoman threat. The old castle was used to observe the surroundings and send warning signals in front of enemy troops. The presence of the patrol at the castle was supported by vartovka, a newly built watchtower. Its construction was decided in 1564. After the end of the Ottoman invasions in the 17th century, the castle lost its strategic importance.

Archaeological research has been carried out at the lower castle since 2009 and during the following years also at the upper castle. Extensive walls of the castle were uncovered, towers and other buildings were rehabilitated, and today the Desolate Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe with its walls.

Reigning castellan

He once commanded a domineering, angry castellan at Desolate Castle. Everyone was afraid of him. Even the free fishermen from Hron and Slatina fled from his wrath. Only the elderly remained in the settlement in order to preserve the privileges of fishermen with its uncompromising presence. Not even a gossip could tear him tied across the belt to the rock. Kastelán at Besnel Castle. He jumped down the slope to punish anyone who dared to resist him. All it took was to slip on a steep rock, and with the tyrant he was amen. At that moment, a rumble sounded, as if a dozen thunderbolt had flashed. The walls of the cursed castle fell. Free fishing returned to the rivers and the settlers lived happily, with great respect for the white-haired peasant, the protector of their rights.

Cursed monk

In the ruins of the Desolate Castle, a single monk haunts. He raises valuables for travelers, lures them into cellars. He who can be seduced by the delusion of gold will never be abandoned by the desire for mammon and will never taste the moment of happiness.

The ruins are freely accessible

https://www.hrady-zamky.sk/pusty-hrad/