Oravsky hrad - Orava Castle is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Slovakia. The castle hill, a natural fortress, was already settled during the primeval period and the archaeological evidence confirmed the presence of Slavonic tribes there as early as the 9th century. It's supposed that it was Miko Balaša, who, together with his sons, oversaw construction of the highest structure, the citadel. This was prior to the first written mention of the castle in 1267. Year 1556 castle was taken over by Francis Thurzo, a member of one of the richest and most influential families of then contemporary Hungary. His rule left a significant historical imprint upon the development of Orava district. Functional use of the castle began in 1868, when the Museum of Orava com-possessorate was established in the castle complex under the patronage the governor - Duke Edmund Zichy. The current Museum of Orava is thereby ranked amongst the oldest museums in Slovakia.