Divinka
manor, mansion
330m
Divinka, Žilina county

Renaissance manor house in the village of Divinka, a few km north-west of Žilina, by the Hričov reservoir

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Previous names
Kysdywyne, Kysdyuyne, Cleyne Dywyna, Mala Divinka, Diwinka, Kiss Divinae, Mala Diwinka, Divina Klein, Kisdivény
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How to get there
The village of Divinka is located just a short distance from NW of Žilina. The manor is located directly in the village in a fenced area next to the municipal office. From the main road that passes through the village, we turn onto road No. 2093, which will take us to the manor house. Parking is quite problematic, as there is busy traffic and narrow roads. It is possible to park temporarily at the Kindergarten or supermarket near the manor, or at the municipal office. In case of emergency, if the gate of the manor house area is open, we can park inside.
Description

The manor is currently a partially basemented, two-storey building, with an L-type floor plan. At the corners there are round bay windows fitted into the wall with a shell ornament. The renaissance stone lining has been preserved on the windows and the remains of horizontal sgraffito strips on the façade. The entrance portal has a stone shambrane and above it was originally a stone relief of a double arch (Szunyogh's and Kadas's) with an inscription and year 1723, when the reconstruction was carried out.The individual rooms on the ground floor and first floor have cross ridge and barrel vaults with a bezel. However, the main room on the first floor has a wooden beamed ceiling. The manor house underwent reconstruction in the 1980s and housed a museum and a library. In the years 2007-2008, the wooden truss was preserved and covered with new shingles. In 2016, the new fencing was repaired and built, and the terrain around the building was modified. Nevertheless, the overall condition of the manor is poor and the building is dilapidated.

History

Although records of the origin of the Renaissance manor house in Divinka have not been preserved, it is believed that it was built by the Szunyoghs sometime at the turn of the 16th to 17th centuries. Brothers Daniel and Erazmus Szunyog grew up in their native Renaissance manor house in Jasenica, and thanks to the preserved text of the agreement, we know that Erazmus was the sole owner of the estates in Divinka and he built an unspecified residence there, probably this manor house. The manor probably also had a defensive function at first, and it was assumed that there was an older block building at its core, but recent research has not confirmed this theory.

In 1723, the manor house was partially renovated by Mikuláš Szunyogh (de Jeszenicze) and his wife Barbora (Borbála) Kádas, when the new north wing was added. Their initiative was evidenced by a stone sign above the main entrance with the text (translated) „Dear and noble Mr. Mikuláš Szunyogh of Jasenica and Divinka, a member of the Seven Lords of the Most Holy Imperial and Royal Majesty with the native Mrs. Barbara Kadas of Tassnad, his wife, had the heirs and his descendants of the Lord 1723 built at his own expense”.

The manor was later inhabited by their son František and his descendants. The Szunyogh family lived in the manor house at least until 1816. Further information about the manor house has not been preserved after that year, so it is not clear whether the Szunyogh family resided in Divinka even after that and who acquired the residence after them. Since then, the manor has fallen into disrepair and its other owners have not been known. Information is known from a later period, when after the Second World War the manor belonged to the state.

Since 1963, it has been listed as a national cultural monument. In 1974, it was bought from the owners by the Local National Committee in Divinka. Shortly afterwards, the restoration of the truss and roofing began, followed by a comprehensive reconstruction, which was not completed. After the reconstruction, the manor house was used as a museum. In the 1980s, it belonged to the District Library in Žilina (later the Regional Library), but was used only for storing books. For several years, the manor house housed the local library, which was later abolished due to property disputes.

In the early 1990s, the two lower rooms were used as a meeting room for the municipal council or polling station. The original complex has completely disappeared, cut only to the area in the immediate vicinity of the manor.

In the years 2007 to 2008, the manor house was repaired again when the shingled roof was replaced. In 2014, restoration research and a proposal for restoration were carried out, and in 2015, a new fencing was repaired and built, and the terrain around the building was modified.

At present, the manor is owned by the Žilina self-governing region. The mansion is dilapidated and requires a complete reconstruction. Although the municipality prepared a renovation project in 2009, there is still a lack of funding for its implementation.

Myths and legends

There are no myths available.

Useful information

The manor is not accessible to the public

Nearby castles
Hričov7.3 km,
Kotešová7.4 km,
Lietava10.3 km,
Nededza10.6 km,
Bytča castle10.7 km,
Súľov12.0 km,
Krasňany14.6 km,
Strečno14.8 km