Ruins Budmerice

Hiking enthusiasts are always thrilled by the opportunity to enjoy unique views. One such view presents itself when visiting Plavecký hrad, which currently belongs among ruins. However, you will be captivated by its grandeur and the indescribable atmosphere of this place.

You can find the castle on an outer limestone hill of the Malé Karpaty mountains, located above the Záhorská nížina lowland, directly above the village of Plavecké Podhradie. The castle is open to the public and the hike up to it is not demanding. Families with smaller children and seniors in good physical condition can handle it as well. The path leads to the castle from the village of Plavecké Podhradie. A few meters before the local manor house, past an apartment building, you will reach a tree alley. Walking through it, you can enjoy the chirping of birds and the charming scent of trees. Behind the alley is a parking lot from which you will spot a marked blue hiking trail along a forest path. After approximately 25 minutes of walking, it will lead you to your destination.

The castle was built after the Mongol invasion of our territory. The exact year is not known, but it is estimated to have been in the 1250s or 1260s. Originally, it served a guard function. It was possible to see all the way to our border with the Czech Republic from it. Thanks to oversight of the surrounding castles, Plavecký hrad could exchange signals with them in case of danger. Between 1579 and 1584, one of the first printing houses in Slovakia operated at the castle. Under the hands of the Protestant writer and church dignitary Peter Bornemisza, calendars, Bibles, a hymnal, and other printed materials were published here. In the 16th century, the castle was rebuilt into a Renaissance fortress with lower courtyards. Unfortunately, it has been abandoned since the 17th century. Conservation work is currently underway here. During its tour, you can notice the preserved outer masonry of the extensive fortification to this day, as well as a prominent cannon bastion and the masonry of the palace from the central tower. You can also admire the stone Renaissance gate.

A legend or myth is associated with almost every castle. This one is no exception. It is rumored that the castle was the setting of a story where a new Trojan War was supposed to break out. In the second legend, a woman does not dominate, but rather a man named Pavol, who became an orphan due to an unfortunate hunting accident, but the king took him under his patronage. On his deathbed, the king granted him his kingdom.

Has your imagination already started working, and would you also like to come and visit this place? Plan a trip here and discover other points of interest in the surrounding area. On the same hill, there is also a hillfort, Plavecká jaskyňa cave, and the remnants of the walls of a vanished monastery. In the village, there is an opportunity to look at a Renaissance manor house. You don't have to travel to the sea to enjoy a desert; the Slovak one is called Šranecké piesky. Popular places for summer recreation include the Buková water reservoir. Other accessible caves in Western Slovakia include the beautiful Jaskyňa Driny.

Exploring such a wonderful region is worth it for more than just one day. So that you don't have to travel back to your homes and can change the atmosphere of your domestic environment, we recommend booking accommodation near Plavecký hrad. The offer is not limited, and it is up to you whether you choose privacy-providing chaty Plavecké Podhradie cottages, or if budget-friendly ubytovanie v súkromí Plavecké Podhradie private rentals will suffice for you. We will be happy to help you.

If you find yourself in the vicinity of Smolenický zámok and you like nature, we have an excellent tip for a trip for you. Above the village of Smolenice, in the Malé Karpaty mountain range, the hill Molpír rises to a height of 354 m above sea level. Here, over an area of 14 hectares, lie the remnants of a hillfort from the Early Iron Age. Engage your children in exploration and set out with them on an easy hike combined with discovery and fun.

These ruins were first mapped and explored by the Smolenice priest Sándorfi in 1890. It is estimated that the hillfort originated approximately in the 6th century BC. This unique fortification was built from dry-stacked stone with reinforced embankments and a wooden structure. The entire area can be divided into three spaces, two outer baileys and an acropolis, which were protected by ramparts. Dwellings in the upper outer bailey and the acropolis were constructed using log building techniques, with walls plastered with clay and floors laid with flat stones. Heating was provided by simple hearths as well as domed ovens.

During its heyday, approximately 800 people lived in the hillfort. The inhabitants engaged in craft production, the manufacture of weapons and knives, casting of bronze vessels, production of stone querns, and they also produced threads and fabrics. Archaeologists found remnants of hand-carved bones with spiral decoration, numerous spindle whorls, loom weights, and ceramics at the hillfort site. An exhibition of these finds can be found in Múzeum Molpír.

The educational trail Smolenický kras, which begins near the Smolenice church, will lead you right to the hillfort. While ascending Molpír hill, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Smolenický zámok. Part of the trail includes information boards and two replicas of historical log cabins.

In the surroundings of Smolenice, there are many interesting places worth seeing. On your wanderings, definitely visit the gorgeous Smolenický zámok and discover the underground world of Jaskyňa Driny as well. After a day full of experiences, treat yourself to a rest and stay in a cozy cottage or use the services of local guesthouses. You can find the complete offer of accommodation near the ruins of the hillfort Molpír on our page accommodation in Smolenice. We wish you a pleasant and undisturbed stay.

In the western part of the limestone ridge of Záruby, above the village of Buková, near Smolenice, lies the ruin of Hrad Ostrý Kameň. An interesting feature is that this castle is the highest-altitude castle in the Malé Karpaty. The castle earned its name because it was carved into a rock of the same name. You will find this historical gem at an altitude of 576 meters above sea level, which guarantees magnificent views of the Malé Karpaty and the Záhorská nížina.

In the past, the castle served as a royal border fortress to protect the western border of Hungary and the so-called Czech road. The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1273. Initially, the castle was royal property, but in 1366 the king donated it to Nicholas of Szécsi, passing it into private ownership. Over the centuries it belonged to many owners, including Duke Stibor of Stiborice, the Keglevich family, the Thurzo family, the Forgách family, and many others.

In 1704, a major Kuruc battle took place around the castle, during which the castle was heavily damaged. By that time, the Czech road already led through Bratislava, and the castle lost its function. The then owners of the castle, the Pálffy family, moved their seat to the town of Moravský Svätý Ján and left the castle to its fate.

Currently, the castle ruin is intertwined with the limestone bedrock, and you can view the remains of former palace walls, outbuildings, and bastions. You can reach the castle along a marked hiking trail that leads from the village of Buková. You can also make a trip for discovery from Smolenice, this route is the shortest and leads across the highest peak of the Malé Karpaty,  the Záruby peak. Along the way, you can stop at Čertov žľab or Občasný vodopád, which, however, flows only during favorable water conditions.

After a half-day hike to Hrad Ostrý Kameň, treat yourself to some relaxation and have a picnic by the nearby Vodná nádrž Buková reservoir. Among other interesting places you can visit in the immediate surroundings are definitely Smolenický zámok, the ruins of the Molpír hillfort, or Jaskyňa Driny. The Dolné Považie region is one of the most beautiful areas of Western Slovakia, so do not hesitate and book your stay today. A rich offer of accommodation near the ruin of Hrad Ostrý Kameň can be found on our page accommodation in Buková.

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.