Ľupča Castle Ľupča Castle (Slovak: Ľupčiansky hrad) was built in the Middle Ages to protect an important trade route along the Hron river. It was a favorite hunting resort of King Bela IV, who signed the royal town privileges of Banská Bystrica in the castle in 1255. Other monarchs who frequently resided in the castle were King Charles I, King Louis the Great, Emperor Sigismund, and King Matthias Corvinus. The castle hosted an orphanarium from 1873 to 1938.