Bratislava Castle

Background

Bratislava Castle stands on a hill by the Danube in Slovakia's capital. Its white rectangular main building has a tower at each corner, and its outline is sometimes likened to an upturned table; the 13th-century Crown Tower, 47 metres high, is the tallest. A Baroque garden lies on the castle's north side, and on clear days the terrace looks out to Austria and Hungary. The hill held a fortified settlement as early as about 3500 BC, and in the second half of the 9th century, in Great Moravian times, a stone palace and a large basilica were built. The castle was long a stronghold of the Kingdom of Hungary, and Maria Theresa had it remodelled as a Baroque royal residence in 1761–1766. On 28 May 1811 a fire caused by careless garrison soldiers gutted the castle, which then lay in ruins for over a century; it was rebuilt to its Baroque appearance from 1953 and now houses the History Museum of the Slovak National Museum, while the National Council of the Slovak Republic also sits on the castle hill.

Local customs

• Climb the Crown Tower and the terrace for views of the Danube and the old town's red roofs
• visit the History Museum's permanent exhibitions
• stroll the Baroque garden
• in the evening, watch the city lights come on from around the castle.

Travel tips

• The castle courtyards and terraces are usually open to all, while the indoor exhibitions charge admission
• check exact prices and what is open on the official site. It is a ten- to fifteen-minute uphill walk from the old town or the Danube embankment, and the slope is steep, so please wear flat shoes
• the museum shop is pricey, so you may want to bring your own water.
• Vienna and Bratislava are close neighbours, linked by train and by Danube boats, with timetables as published by the operators. Spring and autumn are best for the views
• in summer the sun sets late, so the terrace is lovely in the evening
• in winter the white castle looks striking after snow, but please watch for icy paths.