Bratislava Castle rises above the capital of Slovakia. This is the most famous castle of Bratislava, and the whole country. For many centuries, Bratislava Castle has been an integral part of the beautiful panorama of the city.
Location
This magnificent building rises above the Danube (the castle is on its left bank). The city is located at an altitude of over 80 meters, on a hill. Not far from it are the intersections of the country's most important roads.
Historical reference
The first settlements are found in this area during the Neolithic. Later, the Celts settled here, and then the Roman Empire erected a huge border outpost. The Slavs appeared in the city closer to the VIII century and built a fortress here. Later it passed into the possession of Great Moravia. In the XI century, the Slavic fortress begins to rebuild like feudal castles.
The beginning of the prosperity of the City was noted in the 15th century, when the Hungarian king ordered his fortification to be combined with a new quadrangular construction. In the 1550s, the city changes the face of the Gothic castle and turns into a renaissance royal residence. In 1563, the city of Prešpork (Bratislava) for 2 centuries became the city of coronations of the Hungarian kingdom, and the castle itself became the residence of the kings. The large Grad Tower, located in the southwest, becomes the repository of royal regalia.
The peak of its full bloom occurred in the 1740-1780s. The castle was rebuilt again in the Baroque style, and its rooms are decorated in the Rococo style. However, in 1783, by decree of the new Emperor Joseph II, the royal regalia moved to Budapest, and Grad itself passed into the possession of a theological seminary. In 1811, a severe fire almost completely destroyed the former royal residence. Only in 1953 a decision was made to restore the Bratislava Castle, the work on which was completed in 1968.
Today
The current city is a large square building with a courtyard in the center. Today, the complex houses a historical museum. Almost the entire area of Grad, with the exception of a small number of halls, is open for free visits.
On the ground floor, in the southern part of the building, is the Slovak Parliament. In the northern part of the building you can find a music room where concerts are held.
The monumental city, literally recreated from ruins in the second half of the last century, reflects a thousand-year-old Slovak history, it is one of the main dominants of the city, a national and cultural monument of the country.
About the castle
Bratislava Castle includes 4 towers located at the corners of the building, and a courtyard with a well 80 meters deep. The most massive is the Crown Tower, founded in the 13th century. Today, the Crown jewels are preserved in it. To the east of the main entrance are the gates of the 16th century. Immediately behind the entrance is the arched corridor, ending with a flight of stairs decorated in the Baroque style.
Three gates lead to Bratislava Castle. To the city and the bridge - Corvinov Gate (XVI century). In the southeast are the gates of Sigismund (XV century), behind them is the picturesque garden of Leopold. In the south-west is the Vienna Gate (1712).
On the surface of the earth near the castle are designated places where there were buildings that have not been preserved to this day.
To the west of the castle itself is the recently restored Hillebrandt mansion, built in 1762 and destroyed in the fire of 1811. The area in front of the castle is known as the Garden of Honor. It was landscaped back in the 18th century.
Museum
Priceless historical exhibits preserved from antiquity (including valuable archaeological and numismatic collections) are exhibited in the museum complex, which is part of Bratislava Castle. Bratislava is proud of this national treasure.
Historical expositions show the development of the material and spiritual culture of the country. Since the time of feudalism, there are amazing objects of art and crafts, documentary evidence of the development of cities and the life of the population. Widely represented and recent history - from the beginning of capitalist times to the present day; important exhibits of folk art; A collection of musical instruments deserves attention.
The archaeological exhibition stores valuable finds: the Paleolithic “Venus” from Moravan, a part of the Neanderthal skull from Shali, unique jewelry made of gold in the Bronze Age, finds from graves in New Koshariski, blacksmith and agricultural tools of the Celts, Roman monuments and much more. The permanent exhibition of archaeological finds is called “Treasures of the Slovak Past”.
The Hall of Fame is another interesting exhibition in Bratislava Castle, where the main modern trophies of Slovak hockey are exhibited.
Conclusion
Bratislava Castle is a castle whose photos and history confirm the significance, sophistication and originality of this priceless centuries-old building. This place is the pride of the country and a favorite tourist attraction.