Ruins Bratislava - Záhorská Bystrica

You can find the ruins of Dračia hrádok, also known as Hadí hrad, in the Malé Karpaty mountain range, on the Úboč hill, approximately 2 km from the village of Borinka. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when the owners of the former royal Hrad Pajštún were the counts of Svätý Jur and Pezinok. The royal origin is also suggested by the similarity of the tower at Dračia hrádok to towers at other royal castles (Hrad Beckov, Plavecký hrad).

This slowly disappearing castle awaits you hidden above the valley of Stupavský potok, at an altitude of 370 m above sea level. There is not much information about what the small castle looked like in the past. An engraving that probably depicts its appearance can be found in Mestská galéria v Bratislave. However, experts differ in their opinions, and there are those who reject this assumption.

The area of the small castle consists of two elevated parts, a central prismatic tower, and the remains of the masonry foundation for the entrance bridge. By all accounts, the small castle perished in the 15th century during the Hussite raids into the territory of Západné Slovensko. Furthermore, it was built on geologically unstable bedrock, which was likely one of the main reasons why it was no longer restored after being damaged.

An asphalt road from the village of Borinka, which continues onto a forest path, will lead you to the remains of the castle. After roughly 800 m, you will come across a small area suitable for parking a car. The yellow-marked trail will take you directly to the ruins after a moderately challenging ascent. From the ruins of Dračia hrádok, you can continue your exploration further and reach the ruins of Pajštúnsky hrad.

If the idea of such a hike excites you, book accommodation near Dračia hrádok today. Záhorie is full of hiking as well as cultural and historical sights well worth seeing. It is entirely up to you which direction you take. An unforgettable experience will surely be a scenic boat cruise on the Dunaj or a visit to Bratislavský hrad. We believe you will enjoy your time in Záhorie and take home plenty of great experiences.

The sad reality of today is that the once-glorious castles on our territory have turned into ruins. These are sought after primarily by avid hikers who crave stunning views and relaxation in nature. The ruin of castle Čeklís, located on the edge of the village of Bernolákovo, is one of them. Here, you can enjoy a view of the Podunajskú nížinu plain, Bratislavu, and Bratislavský castle.

The village of Bernolákovo is one of the relatively large villages located in the Senec district. During your visit, you will certainly notice its landmark: the Roman Catholic kostol sv. Štefana Kráľa church from 1355 and the adjacent kaplnku sv. Anny chapel from 1835. On the elevated terraced hilltop known as Várdomb (Hradný vrch), the hrad Čeklís castle is situated. In written records, it is also mentioned as Ceki, Chekluez, Cheklys, or Chekles.

Getting to this castle is manageable for everyone. The hike to this publicly accessible ruin is easy and will take you less than 10 minutes on foot. Simply park your car by the church and follow the dirt path alongside it directly to your destination. From a distance, you will see the silhouette of a tower emerging from the castle, although it is not part of the original structure.

The castle was likely built in the 13th century as a guard castle. The first reference to it dates back to 1209 as the old settlement of Šebeš, the royal cellar administrator. Many owners are mentioned in the castle’s history, including Charles Robert, Sigismund of Luxembourg, and the Eszterházy family. Unfortunately, the castle fell into ruin during Rákóczi's War of Independence. In 1720, a Baroque manor house was built near the castle. Today, only a fragment of a 1.9 m thick curtain wall remains. A sharp-eyed observer may also notice a vaulted discharge arch with a span of 5 m. The castle was reportedly protected by a moat as well. The round waterworks tower, which fits into the stylized scenery, might also help draw tourists here. This was built in 1905 on the remnants of a Baroque brick cistern.

Two legends are associated with the castle. The first tells the story of the beautiful Helena of Čeklís, who intoxicated the Turkish Grand Vizier with her wine and fled to svätojurský hrad castle before the Turkish invasion. She also wanted to trick the enemy by shoeing her horses backwards. As a result, the soldiers remained confused and, in their helplessness and rage, burned the castle down. The second legend, about the candles of Čeklís, might be told to you by the locals.

You can stay in the region for a longer period to explore all the points of interest beyond the traces of history. Golf lovers and sports enthusiasts can visit the largest golf resort with 55 greens, Black River Golf Resort Bratislava. It is located directly in this village, offering a great way to diversify your daily itinerary. Anglers choose the jazero Miloslavka lake as their place of relaxation. A walk through a landscape English park also has its charm; you can experience one at Kaštieli Eberhard in Malinovo. You can go for a swim on hot days at various water areas, with the closest option being Vajnorských jazerách.

You can plan your vacation or stay however you wish. The diverse range of accommodation around hrad Čeklís will certainly surprise you. Our accommodation providers will welcome you even at the last minute and provide you with a place to stay. You can choose from beautiful wooden cabins in Bernolákovo, which are optimal for larger groups, or a comfortable room in guesthouses in Bernolákovo. We will gladly provide you with all available information so you can book the best accommodation.