The history of Levice Castle in Slovakia spans several centuries. Built in the 13th century to protect a nearby monastery and mining towns, the castle changed owners and was rebuilt multiple times due to fires and changing architectural styles. In the 16th century, it was fortified to help defend against Turkish invasions, and withstood a siege in 1578. While briefly taken by the Turks in 1663, the castle was retaken and further fortified. Today it houses a museum and is known for the legend of the Levice geese.