Hrad Devín
Address: Muránská 1050/10, 841 10 Devín, Slovakia
Located a few miles west of Bratislava. Devín Castle ranks among the most important archeological sites in Central Europe. Located at the banks of the Danube, where once the Danube and Amber Roads intersected, it watches over the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. Archeological research proves the area was settled about 7000 years ago and has since then been populated by one group or another, almost without interruption until today. Already during prehistory, it was a fortified center of power. During the Roman period the first several brick buildings were erected here. The first written source on Devín dates back to 864 and mentions a “Dowina Castle”. The Great Moravian period saw the erection of a church with colorful interior wall painting on castle grounds. Throughout the Middle Ages the Castle was an important border fortress, often passing from one noble family to another.