Castle of Bratislava - The symbol of the capital
- infoglobalslovakia
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
By Nina Arta
Upon visiting the capital of Slovakia, it is unthinkable to not visit the castle that towers above it. Unmissable, it guards the city since the 10th century, the first written note of its existence from the year 907. The castle hill is soaked through with historical significance, the structure itself serving as the stronghold of the Hungarian king for a period of time. Undergoing extensive reconstruction and modernization throughout the 15th to 17th centuries, once Napoleon emerged in France and began his military campaign in Europe, the building served as army barracks but suffered a great tragedy in the year 1811. The castle was destroyed by a fire in November of that year and remained a ruin thereafter for 140 years. It was only reconstructed in the year 1953, gaining the status of a cultural heritage site in 1961.
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Aside from the museum currently operating in the interior of the castle, what is also worth visiting are the castle gardens. Originally planned for the legendary queen Maria Theresa, it was created in the year 2016 in the style of baroque and is especially enchanting when the summer flowers bloom.
For the people who find interest in the myths that tie to historical sites, you shall not be disappointed when visiting the castle and the city that stretches underneath it. Legends and urban legends are a common occurrence. According to one, the daughter of the castle lord fell in love with a commander of the Ottoman troops that surrounded the city. As such, she rejects any and all suitors and her father has her imprisoned. Still, she manages to convince one of her guards, who was in love with her, to deliver a love letter to the Turk. Upon receiving the letter however, the commander mocks the young girl and insults her. The guard cuts his head off in anger. After he returns and relays the events, the maiden realizes his love for her and they marry.
The castle of Bratislava is the pride of the capital city and should definitely be on your to-visit list. It offers a wonderful view of the entire city, particularly the river Danube and the SNP bridge along with the old town and the historical center from which it is but a short walk away.
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