What tribes and nations did not inhabit Slovakia – Celts, Romans, Slavs… and each of them left behind evidence of their existence – a fortress, citadel or temple. But the only picturesque structure that stands out is the mighty Devín Castle, at the confluence of the two great rivers, the Danube and the Morava. Towering on a high cliff, the surviving towers of the castle seem to keep great secrets and reflect on the events they witnessed. And below, at a place called the Devin Gate, two rivers, very different in color, merge. All of this gives Devin an ineffable atmosphere of medieval sacred grandeur.
Grad Devin rises on a cliff about 200 m high. The first records mentioning it as a fortified settlement called Dowin date back to 864. At that time it was the possession of the powerful Slavic state of Great Moravia. Apparently, the rulers of Moravia were no strangers to beauty and chose Dowin as their residence. In all seriousness we should point out the defensive power of the castle. Even today, wandering among half-destroyed walls and towers, it is impossible to imagine that this stronghold was actually captured.
Of course, over the years, the fortress was repeatedly rebuilt and reconstructed. The last time the citadel served during the invasion of the Ottomans. After that, Devin no longer used its defensive function, an entirely different era began.
Alas, during the Napoleonic wars the Emperor’s troops, with their characteristic “careful” attitude to the antiquities of others, blew up the castle. Much remains – but you can’t see Devin in its entirety today.
Devin today
The castle is located only 8 km from Bratislava, and the distance is no comparison with the impressions of visiting Grad Devin. It is a living history, frozen in stone. It is a mesmerizing view of the confluence of the Morava and the Danube. It is a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside and even of the beautiful Bratislava itself. In addition, various festivals and all kinds of interesting events are regularly held there. Famous all over the country and the local wine.
There is another interesting point: along the Danube River runs the border between Slovakia and Austria, the neighboring countries of the European Union. But that’s the border nowadays, but previously it was the border between the Socialist camp and the rest of the world. So one day, hoping to escape from the blessed socialist paradise and escape from the clinging hands of no less socialist supervisory bodies, one Slovak, with his characteristic Slavic prowess and ingenuity, came up with a genius idea. Namely: from the wall of the castle, by hang-glider, to cross the border with the “decaying West”. Which he succeeded, and after this episode the wall was closed to mere mortals.
