|
 |
DEVÍN
The first written reference on the castle dates from year 864 under the name Dowina. The castle had a rich history in the past. Some time it was in possession of well-know Alžbeta Báthory, who was famous for bathing in the blood of intact virgins. At the time of Slovak National Revival the castle became the meeting place of the outstanding Slovak thinkers and philosophers. Many legends are joined with the castle. One of them is telling about the dying lady of the castle, who gifted her daughters – twins with two apples. They should have been the symbol of their happy lives. Therefore they exchanged the apples. They did not anticipate they had fallen in love with young hunter and he also did not anticipate he was meeting two identical girls. Once they meet all three....One of the sisters with anger threw the apple down the floor and right away the mother‘s prophecy came true – her sister died the next day. On the place where the apple broke, the apple tree grew up. Neither the second girl had pleasure of long life. The following night turned to the black goat. And so sometimes sad black goat nibbling the apple tree leaves appears to Devin visitors.
RUSOVCE – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS The history of Rusovce, a district of Bratislava, dates back to the distant antiquity. This fact is documented by many archeological discoveries from the Bronze period, the Roman Empire and the Great Moravian Empire, found in their territory. The archeological monument of the Roman camp Gerulata represents one from the chain of camps built by Romans on Danube, creating in such way the system of forts on the border called Limes Romanus in the territory of its province Panonia. In Rusovce it is also possible to visit the beautiful mansion rebuilt in English neogothic romantic style with the large park. The mansion had many owners in the past; one of them was the crown princess of the Habsburg monarchy Stephanie. SMALL CARPATHIAN WINE ROAD
The history of wine cultivation and treatment yearly revives on the Vintage Festival, but wine tags and vinotheques are opened for visitors and wine lovers the whole year. PIEŠŤANY Spa town Pieštany is situated only 80 km on the north from Bratislava. The history of Piešťany spa dates since year 1549. In Piešťany can be admired the beautiful architecture of classicist and art noveau style buildings. In the past Piešťany was visited by the emperor Franz Joseph with his Elizabeth, popular Sissi, Bulgarian emperor Ferdinand I., German emperor Wilhelm II., maharajas from India and Malaya, presidents and diplomats of various states in the world. From among the artists it was visited the world-known painter and poster maker Alfonz Mucha or the Russian singer Fyodor Shaliapin. In one of the spa houses Alfonz Mucha left one of his greatest paintings. TRENČÍN
The hospitality of the royal city Trenčín in the past attracted many poets, writers, painters, sculptors and musicians. In the past era were played here the masterpieces of the giants like J.Haydn. From Trenčín also come the oldest known transcripts of W. A. Mozart and L. van Beethoven masterpieces. In the city are situated many gothic, renaissance and baroque buildings, each corner is smelled with piece of history. Many of them are joined with some legend. Come and discover them in Trenčín!
|
The well-known ruins of Devin Castle lying on the cliff over the confluence of rivers Moravia and Danube in the periphery of Bratislava, belongs to the most important monuments of Slavonian and Slovak history. Exceptionally important strategic location, known already to Celts and Romans was the reason of foundation the monumental Slavonian fortified settlement on the castle uphill. 
Small Carpathian wine road goes via former Bratislava, St. Jur, Pezinok and Modra and the neighboring Carpathian villages of districts Bratislava, Pezinok and Trnava. 
The historical city Trenčín belongs together with Bratislava and Nitra to three oldest cities in Slovakia. In lies in the valley of Váh only 110 km from Bratislava. Over the city rises the majestic Trenčín castle. The first reference is in chronicles from the 11th century, but in its territory already lived Celts and Romans. It is testified by the inscription on the castle rock, naming the town as Laugarício. 