For the first time, the Regional Tourism Organization (KOCR) Trenčín Region presented a summer competition called MATÚŠOVÁ ZEM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Trenčín Castle. The competition starts on Thursday, July 15, and will last for two months, until September 15, 2021. The registration of participants will start on July 1, 2021. It will take participants to 12 castles and estates of Matúš Čák Trenčianský. The game was created in honor of this Hungarian nobleman and as a commemoration of his 700th death anniversary.

“We are very happy that even with this competition we can move people in the Trenčín region and that they will once again travel and discover interesting nooks and crannies, which were dominated by Matúš Čák himself. In addition to pleasant moments, registered people who fulfill all tasks can also look forward to attractive and valuable prizes, ”said Eva Frývaldská, director of KOCR Trenčín region.

Tomáš Michalík , Deputy Director of the Trenčín Museum in Trenčín, became the professional guarantor of the competition: “As a professional guarantor, I participated in the selection of locations that are directly related to Čák. These are places with a rich history, which became his estates. The competition has great potential and I firmly believe that it will not only be attended by residents from the immediate area. " There was also a thematic, tempting video for Matúš's country, which you can watch HERE .

Castles with a rich past

Lord Váh and the Tatras abounded in many estates throughout Hungary. The participants of the summer competition will also find out how far his influence has reached and his property. The game will take them, for example, to the first castle acquired by Matúš Čák. Before Matúš moved to Trenčín, his residence was Uhrovec Castle . In 1302, Bojnice Castle also acquired hereditary ownership. The older castles occupied by Matúš also included the castles of Čachtice , Beckov and the already defunct castles in Prievidza and Vyšehrad.

The roads will also take competitors to Považský Castle or Tematín Castle , where, unlike other castles, the crew defiantly defended themselves and protected the castle, but eventually succumbed. The highest castle, which will be one of the stops in the summer competition, will be Vršatec Castle, located on a rock cliff at an altitude of 805 m. Matúš Čák was also one of the owners of Lednice Castle. Skalka nad Váhom is one of these important stops. One of the abbots of this place allegedly went to serve Matthew's Mass when he was excommunicated from the church. However, the competition would not be complete if the most famous seat of Čák, Trenčín Castle , did not figure among the stops.

How to get involved?

The condition is registration in the period from 1.7. to 15.8.2021 to e-mail matusovazem@trencinregion.sk , where after sending the contact details, each competitor will be sent a headband with the visual of the crown. It will accompany registered participants on a visit to all 12 locations, which must be completed from 15.7. to 15.9.2021.

Competitors must also take pictures in the "crown" sent to the castles of Čachtice, Lednice, Prievidza (church on Mariánské vrchy), Tematín, Uhrovec, Vršatec and Vyšehrad. The second task will be to answer 5 questions, to which it is possible to find the correct answer only when visiting Skalka nad Váhom, Trenčín Castle, Bojnice Castle, Považský Castle and Beckov Castle. The third task is to control Váh - send a photo from swimming or sailing on the river Váh. In the last task, the registered will find themselves on their bicycle on any section of the Vážská Cyklomagistrala in the Trenčín Region and will also immortalize this activity with a camera.

Just submit and wait for the win

The middle of September is also a binding deadline for sending all photos and answering questions that must be filled in the form on the website www.matusova-zem.sk . All registered users who conquer the given locations and meet all the conditions of the competition are automatically included in the draw for valuable accommodation, wellness or material prizes, including free tickets to several castles in the Trenčín region. The main prize awaits one lucky person in the form of a stay for a family of 4 for 2 nights in the luxurious Hotel Elizabeth ****, which is located directly below Matúš's Castle in Trenčín.

In Trenčín 30.6.2021

Text: MT