The Castle of Budatín with strategic position on the confluence of the Váh and Kysuca rivers is a dominant of Žilina. Exhibition of tinkers trade products in the Castle of Budatín is the only of the kind in the world.
In the past, it was mentioned as the toll point. Construction of the Castle dates to the second half of the 13th century. Its oldest part is the bulky four-storied Romanesque tower with elements of the Early Gothic architecture, which was later adapted in the Renaissance style. It stands on the site of disappeared water castle. It guarded the important trade road leading to Silesia. At the beginning it was the royal property, later it was owned by several noble families including the Csákys who had it reconstructed in the years 1922-23.
The Castle contains the collections of the Považské múzeum (Museum of Považie) and a gallery displaying unique exhibition of tinkers trade products. Tinkers trade was one of the typical occupations of the locals from the mid-18th century.
It Castle park is also interesting. It was originally an English type of park founded probably in the mid-19th century. Currently it is abandoned though it still contains some exotic trees, but the park is not maintained.