The well-preserved ruin is noted for a marvellous geographical position, offering terrific panorama views upon the confluence of Danube and Morava rivers.
When in Bratislava, don’t miss the trip to the castle of Devin! It is very close to the old town od Bratislava, around 10 km and you’ll get there with ease.
Standing on a massive cliff, 212 meters above the ground, the castle serves as a museum with several exhibitions. A very popular place for Bratislava’s families to spend their afternoon, this ruin (an important frontier place in Great-Moravian era) symbolizes Slavic fellowship and unity. No wonder it is a National cultural monument, depicted on Slovak stamps and old coins.
History
Oldest traces of a settlement date back to the 5th century B.C., 400 years before Celts populated this area. The castle has a vivid medieval history. It served as a boundary fortress, military station and a trade centre.
Devin Castle remembers our favorite brotherly duo, patron saints Cyril and Methodius, who started their mission here in 863. They developed the first alphabet to be used for Slavonic manuscripts, translated the Bible and wrote the first Slavic Civil Code, which was used in Great Moravia.
The ancient name of this castle (Dowina) comes from the Slavic word deva (girl). The watchtower, most photographed piece of the castle known now as the Maiden Tower, serves as a basis for legends about beautiful virgins, imprisoned in the tower, eventually jumping for their deaths.
In 1809 Napoleon himself ordered the castle to be destroyed, as part of the regional military neutralisation.
Exhibitions & Opening Times
The caves of the upper castle serve as a show-room for permanent exhibition called “Architectural development of Devin Castle”, showing castle’s history in between 11th and 19th centuries. Other exhibitions take time in different seasons.
Spend All Day in Devin
If you want to avoid masses, come to the castle early morning to soak in the ambient atmosphere.
There are numerous hikes and bike trails around the castle to enjoy the lush nature of the surroundings.
Lend a canoe and take a cruise on Morava with your family (or even with bikes) and admire stunning fauna and flora. Morava itself is a home for 62 different breeds of fish and 176 breeds of birds! Advice: Be sure to have a good repelent at hand!
There are a number of great restaurants operating in Devin, so you are bound to try fine Slovak cuisine.
How to Get There
BY CAR
It is just a 10 minutes car-drive from Bratislava’s old town. Head to the village of Devin. Parking lots under the castle charge parking fee.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
City bus number 29 and 128 (cyclobus), every 30 minutes.
Time Tables
BY BOAT
- From Hainburg, Austria.
- From a special port near the Bratislava city centre (Fajnorovo nabrezie 2), twice a day (10.00 and 14.30)
