Hrad Devín
Kriváň or Bratislavský hrad. What do they have in common? Both are considered our national symbols. We will introduce you to another one of them. It is hrad Devín, proudly towering on a high rocky cliff.
It is located a few kilometers west of our capital city of Bratislava. The village of Devín lies below the castle. From the castle cliff, there is a breathtaking view of the wide surroundings, the nearby Austrian borderland, and mainly the confluence of two large rivers, the Morava and the Dunaj. The castle hill excelled in its strategic position mainly thanks to the confluence of the two mentioned rivers. This was utilized by the Celts and later also by the Romans. The Roman Empire and its border reached all the way to the Dunaj river, and they built their settlement right on the castle hill. Later, the old Slavs followed up on it.
The castle hill also held a significant position during the glorious Veľká Morava. There was a defensive hillfort here. The first written mentions of the castle as such date back to 1223. However, its appearance is extremely difficult to determine, as the castle was conquered, demolished, and rebuilt several times. At the beginning of the 14th century, it underwent many changes of its owners. It became a royal castle, and to make it more comfortable for its inhabitants, it was gradually rebuilt into the Gothic style. Despite this, it did not lose its defensive military function, as it lay on the threatened Hungarian border.
In 1635, the castle came into the hands of the Pálffy family from Ardedu. During the period of their reign, the castle survived the anti-Habsburg uprising and also the uprising of František II. Rákoczi. In a later period, due to the condition of the castle, it was no longer representative to reside in it, nor did it meet the requirements of modern fortresses. For this reason, the castle became a warehouse and served for economic purposes. At the beginning of the 19th century, Bratislava and a part of Záhorie came into conflict with French Napoleonic troops. Despite the fact that they concluded a truce with them, the French blew up the castle in 1809.
Over time, Devín increasingly became a symbol of the state and a memory of Cyril and Methodius. In 1932, a purchase agreement was made between the Pálffy family and the state, and subsequently in 1935, the castle was taken over. In 1961, the castle was declared a national cultural monument.
If you like the majestic silhouette of the castle ruin so much that you want to have it above your head every morning, nothing is easier. The village of Devín itself offers many private accommodations and cottages that will satisfy even the more demanding ones. If you don't mind commuting to the castle, choose something else. Accommodation in one of the parts of Bratislava, such as Karlova Ves or in the Staré Mesto itself. It's just a piece away to Devín, and you have everything at your disposal from simple tourist hostels, through family guesthouses to the most luxurious hotels. Devín was already known to the most famous nobles, and kings were enchanted by its beauty. You will be too, if you decide to look at the world from above. From hrad Devín.
