[4] The castle was built in the 13th century by the Hungarian Ákos brothers[note 1] on a trade route leading from Transylvania through Košice to Spiš and today's Poland.

The fire was caused by two boys who attempted to light up a cigarette and accidentally lit grass on the hill, from where it spread to the castle.

The roof, the exhibition area in the Gothic palace and the bell tower were completely destroyed.

[3] However, according to the Interior Minister of Slovakia Daniel Lipšic, "...the vast majority of exhibits remained undamaged".

[11] Daniel Krajcer, Minister of Culture, commented that only the upper part of the castle (including collections) had been destroyed.