Devín Castle

Devín stands on a rock where the Morava joins the Danube, a position occupied from the Bronze Age through a Roman garrison and into the Great Moravian period, when it was a significant centre. The medieval castle on top was blown up by Napoleon's troops in 1809 and has stood as a ruin since. The Maiden Tower on a separate pinnacle is the image everyone knows. Excavations continue and a museum displays what has come out of them.

History

A pre-Romanesque church was built on the rock between about 850 and 870, when Devín was the centre of a larger Great Moravian settlement, and a stone castle guarding the western frontier of Hungary is documented in 1271; the palace was added in the 15th century. From the 19th century Devín became a national symbol for the Slovaks, inspiring Romantic poets and the followers of Ľudovít Štúr (Wikipedia, Devín Castle).

The main sights

• The cliff position - the rock above the Morava and Danube confluence.
• The Maiden Tower - a small tower on a detached pinnacle above the river.
• The excavations - Roman and Great Moravian remains within the walls.
• The upper castle - the ruined medieval keep on the summit.

When to go

April to October is the season; the castle keeps reduced winter hours and closes on Mondays. Boats run from Bratislava in summer. Weekends are busy.

Good to know

The site is a ruin and much of what is described is foundations. The climb to the upper castle is steep. Interpretation is limited and mostly in Slovak.

Nearby

Devinska Kobyla is north, and Bratislava is east.

Key facts