If you don’t want troops storming your castle, apparently you build lots of steps. That seems to be the case with all these European castles, but in Bratislava, the elevated position offers amazing views. Still, that’s not all this historic structure has to offer.
Located almost 300 feet above the Danube river, the royal palace has a history that dates back to the Stone and Bronze ages. It’s been everything from a Celtic acropolis to a Slavic fort, and the original stone castle went up a 1,000 years ago when the land was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. In centuries that followed, rulers repeatedly went Home Decorating Network on the pad converting it from Gothic to Renaissance to baroque. After nearly becoming rubble in the early 1800s, the castle was rebuilt after World War II and is actually going through additional renovations and rebuilding right now.
Whether it’s the 15th century or the 21st, them royals love to redecorate. Then again, with a place like this, we’d all have a Dwell magazine addiction.
Perched atop castle hill, the massive building features grand towers in all four corners and a large courtyard with a very deep well. The 13th century Crown Tower is the largest of the four as it holds the crown jewels. Interestingly, elements of the various renovations remain, so the castle couldn’t be described as just one particular architectural style, which ultimately makes it more interesting.
While other castles are often simply tourist attractions, Bratislava’s does have practical purposes: it stores many valuables in its Treasure Chamber, there’s a music hall and there are even rooms for the National Council of the Slovak Republic. Other key sights and structures on the castle grounds include the various gateways, the Hillebrandt building, the Knights’ Hall, the Yard of Honor, the Great Morvaian basilica, the Church of St. Savior, the Lugiland Bastion and even a McDonalds. OK, maybe there’s no Mickey D’s, but with this many tourists, you know there are over-priced snack shops everywhere.
Throughout the years, this castle has played an important part in history, from fighting back the Mongols to becoming the seat of power for the Kingdom of Hungary. In other words, just because it’s a small town, it doesn’t mean it’s not a big castle. If nothing else, a visit to the castle will provide exercise climbing all those stairs.
