Podhradie, Topoľčany District

Podhradie is a municipality with 311 inhabitants in the Topoľčany District of the Nitra Region, Slovakia.

Podhradie lies on the upper Slivnica stream. The center of the village sits at 435 meters above sea level, while the village territory varies from 223 to 863 meters above sea level. Podhradie occupies the site of the early settlement "Hornouc", of "Hrnovce", thought to have been destroyed by brigans. Iron age fortifications existed within the current village territory. Traces of prehistoric dwellers can also be found. At one point gold was mined, coins minted and iron ore smelted. In the mid-13th century a castle keep was built and became the seat of the Topoľčany estate, which contained 26 villages. In 1390 the village appered in records as "Waralya", and in 1580 as "Podhragy". Throughout the Middle Ages Podhradie had the largest population in the area. In the 15th century Hussite troups occupied Topoľčany. In the 18th century the seat of the Topoľčany domain moved to Tovarníky. When the Stummer family assumed power of Topoľčany at the end of the 19th century, it began to restore and preserve the castle ruin, which had suffered damages under repeated raids by Turks. 3 water mills were in operation until the 1930's, and under capitalism a lime klin was in operation, as well a quarry, vineyards and a charcoal burner. In 1787 the village had 595 residents, in 1828 363, and in 1960 606. A sky slope is located behind the castle, and there is a cave next to it. The village territory includes two nature preserves.