Photos

Photographer’s Note

...view of the famous Trencin castle, and shadowed Omar restaurant, deriving its name from the legend of Omar and Fatima...just under the castle walls there is another restaurant, called Fatima...

Perhaps every child in Slovakia knows the 80-m deep castle well and the tale about Omar and Fatima. The legend says that the lord of the Castle, Stefan Zapolsky seized the beautiful Turkish princess Fatima. The haughty lord of Trencin castle returned in great glory from a war against the Turks. He brought back with him abundant wealth and a great many prisoners. He also brought back the beautiful slave Fatima. He gave her as a present to his wife Hedwig.
It wasn't long before a Turkish procession came to the castle, headed by Omar, the son of a wealthy Turkish pasha. Omar wanted to exchange the Turkish prisoners for Christian ones in his charge. The lord agreed with this - but he didn't want to part with the enchanting Fatima. Omar offered great riches: gold, silver, and jewels could be the lord's, for you see, Omar was in love with Fatima.
"I will only give you Fatima," the belligerent lord said,"if you can beat water from the rock upon which this castle was built." Omar agreed to this, and spent the next several years chipping away at the rock. At first he had the help of his companions, but they soon went their ways, and only Omar remained. Love urged him on.
At the end of the third year, they pulled him out of the hole, half dead but clutching a pot of murky water. The lord of the castle kept his word. He returned Fatima to Omar. And now thanks to the new well, the castle could withstand any siege. It was unconquerable.
Centuries have passed, and the castle still stands, stunning and mighty. But in addition to the proud walls, the story of Omar's faithful love to Fatima has lived on. And couples still make their wishes there, at what became known as the Lovers' Well.

Photo Information
Viewed: 869
Points: 16
Discussions
  • None
Additional Photos by Ivana Chudikova (Elaine_Blath) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1200 W: 31 N: 1251] (6170)
View More Pictures
explore TREKEARTH