The monumental building of Bratislava Castle is visible from a great distance. Certainly, every visitor of Bratislava notices the pronounced silhouette. The majestic impression is enhanced by the hill it stands on some eighty-five metres above the water level of the Danube.
It was an important fortified settlement in the last third of the 9th century as it is mentioned in the Salzburg annals in relation to a bloody battle between the Bavarians and early Magyars. First, there was a pre-Romanesque stone palace in the 11th and 12th centuries. Generous reconstruction of the castle started in 1423 during the rule of Sigismund of Luxembourg. The result of this reconstruction was a Gothic castle referred to in literature as a Sigismunds castle.
Reconstruction of the castle called Pálffys was carried out in the period of the fading Renaissance style. The last stage of big building adjustments of the Bratislava Castle was accomplished under the orders of Queen Maria Theresa. She had removed all fortifying elements and simultaneously improved or widened its residential function complying with the criteria of what was then considered the utmost luxury.
The most interesting building though was that of Theresianum built next to the eastern side of the palace in 1768. This lovely Rococo palace was the seat of the Governor, Prince Albert, who acquired the office after he married Archduchess Maria Christina, daughter of Queen Maria Theresa. The couple, as art lovers, started to collect art works, which later became part of the known Viennese gallery Albertinum.
In May 1811, a devastating fire burst out in the castle and soon spread to the Podhradie, the settlement below the castle. For the next hundred and fifty years the people had to tolerate the sad picture of the destroyed castle on top of the hill. Reconstruction of the castle place was finished only in 1968.
Some parts of the castle are open to the public. They contain permanent exhibitions of the Slovak National Museum. There is an exhibition of historical furniture, historical clock in the main palace and a remarkable collection of exhibits called the Jewels of Slovakias Remote Past. Exhibits documenting the history of musical instruments are displayed in the Luginsland bastion. The Treasury with independent entrance next to the courtyard enshrines the oldest item - almost 25 thousand year old statue of Venus of Moravia, ideal women of that epoch.
Theatre performances, Shakespeares festival and concerts are organized at the castle courtyard in summer.
Part of the castle area is the park where the stone foundations of the Great Moravian basilica are displayed. The walk through the park offers different views of Bratislava including that of the modest statue of St Elisabeth, who was born at castle of Bratislava in 1207. However, the oldest, Crown Tower provides even more charming view of the city with its environs.
Access: by car and public transport to the castle, on foot from city centre (it takes about 15 minutes)