Bratislava Castle
This site is one of the key sites on the way to explore the Great Moravian period. There was a fortified Slavic fortress with a three-nave basilica here in the 9th century, so the castle was an important ecclesiastical and administrative centre. A replica of the remains of the Great Moravian basilica can be seen today on the upper eastern terrace of the site.
This Romanesque sacral building, probably dating from the end of the 9th century, was one of the largest Great Moravian churches known to date in terms of size. Stones and bricks were used as building materials in its construction – secondary used from an earlier Roman building, marked with the stamp of the XIVth Roman Legion. The basilica probably disappeared at the beginning of the 10th century and the public only became aware of its existence in 1965. Bratislava Castle offers a beautiful view of St. Martin’s Cathedral and part of the old town, the Danube and Petržalka, as well as the Slovak-Austrian-Hungarian border triangle. Right in the castle, which is a national cultural monument and the seat of state representation (the administrator of the castle is the Chancellery of the National Council of the Slovak Republic), you will find a permanent exposition and current exhibitions of the Historical Museum of the Slovak National Museum. You will learn more about the historical development of Slovakia, about the Celts in Slovakia, about the architectural development of Bratislava Castle and other interesting facts.
What can you visit here?
Filmed about the Castle
Information from history
HISTORY OF THE BRATISLAVA CASTLE
The site has been continuously used as a fortified settlement since the 9th century. The medieval castle evolved from a Great Moravian hill fort, which was extensively rebuilt in the early 15th century by Sigismund of Luxembourg. The present appearance is based on the Theresian reconstruction in the mid-18th century, but is the result of a restoration in 1956-68.
Where to get tourist information?
Contacts
The hillfort is in the administration of the Balneological Museum in Piešt’any.
SNM-Historical Museum
Vajanského nábrežie 2, P. O. Box 13, 810 06 Bratislava 16, Slovakia
tel. +421 0915 99 33 01
e-mail: bratislavskyhrad@snm.sk
web: www.snm.sk
Office of the National Council of the Slovak Republic
Námestie Alexandra Dubčeka 1, 812 80 Bratislava 1, Slovakia
tel. +421 2 5972 2463
e-mail: info@nrsr.sk
web: www.nrsr.sk
How to get to the castle?
A walk to the castle is now part of every excursion route in Bratislava. Most often it starts from St. Martin’s Cathedral, from which we walk under the New Bridge to the other side of the busy road and climb the Castle Steps to the Sigmund Gate. Motorists most often head to the castle via Palisády Street, which leads to the castle car park and enter the castle grounds on foot through the Vienna Gate. If you go by public transport, get off at the Hrad or Zámocká stop – trolleybus line no. 203 or 207
Tips for accommodation?
- Schondorf Hostel, Obchodna 48, Bratislava 811 06, Slovakia
- CHORS like a hotel, Obchodná 43, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Hyde Park Hostel, Obchodna 53, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Wild Elephants Hostel, Františkánske námestie 8, second floor, 811 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Hostel Folks, Obchodná 2, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Hostel Folks, Obchodná 2, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Hostel Old Town, Zamocka 24-26, 81101 Bratislava, Slovakia