A symbol of Slovak history at the confluence of the Moravia and the Danube
Děvín Castle is a ruin of an originally Gothic castle, towering majestically on a castle rock above the confluence of the Danube and Moravia on the outskirts of Bratislava. Together with the nearby Bratislava Castle, they form a pair of important representatives of Slovak national history. The monument dedicated to communist oppression and the rock formations under the castle are also worth a visit.
Děvín Castle
The castle grounds occupy a substantial part of the castle ridge above the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. The architecture of the remains of its buildings forms an inseparable backdrop to the massive hill dominating the wider area. After the arrival of the main, northern gate, the visitor will find himself in the vast expanse of the lower castle. Between the lower and middle castle, the visitor can see the foundations and model of the Great Moravian church from the second half of the 9th century and the apse. The most interesting part of the tour of the castle is the central castle with the remains of Renaissance palaces, the foundations of Roman architecture and the remains of residential and economic spaces. The lookout terrace of the central castle offers views of the surrounding countryside and the wide course of the Danube River. The upper castle consists of the remains of a hexagonal two-storey stone tower and two fortified areas placed one above the other. Access to the upper castle leads along the bridge through a defensive moat. Entrance to the castle is possible on Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, admission is 5 EUR.
Castle tower called Nun
Above the confluence of the Danube with the Morava River, a view of a small turret called the Nun (also the Maiden's Tower), which rises alone on a steep rocky peak, catches the eye. To the right of it, on the southern slope of the castle ridge, a pointed Gothic portal indicates the entrance to the so-called tunnel cave. It reaches a length of 11.5 meters and a height of almost nine meters. It goes through the whole castle hill.
National natural monument Děvínská skála
A significant rock formation at the confluence of the Morava and Danube rivers is an important geological and geomorphological locality. It is also an important botanical locality with the occurrence of a number of protected and endangered plants. The warm southern slopes of the rock wall serve as a nesting place for birds and it is also an important habitat for many species of insects and reptiles.
Gate of Liberty
The memorial is dedicated to men and women who were shot or killed by mines or electric shock while trying to escape through the Iron Curtain in 1948 – 1989. The memorial contains the names of many of them, a total of more than 400. In addition, it mentions as well as 20,000 people abducted to Soviet gulags, 180,000 people who fled abroad and 80,000 people imprisoned for trying to cross the border.