Bratislava Castle

The Bratislava Castle presides over the city from atop its perch on a hill of the Little Carpathians in the heart of the city. Its massive rectangular structure is a 1960s reconstruction in the Renaissance style, with elements of the original Gothic and Baroque designs. A prominent feature of the city skyline, the Castle dominates the landscape of Slovakia's capital city for miles around. The four corners of the castle are anchored by matching square towers, the largest of which is the Crown Tower so named for its role as the historic home of the Crown Jewels. The origins of the castle date back to the 9th Century, and the Medieval structure was eventually replaced by a Renaissance Palace in the 16th Century, followed soon after by a reconstruction in the Baroque style. Further changes were made by Maria Theresa of Austria when she ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of Hungary in the 18th Century. Gutted by fire in 1811, the Bratislava Castle was faithfully restored and now houses the Slovak National Museum, the National Council of the Slovak Republic and Treasure Chamber, its various rooms furnished with portraits and antique furniture. Visitors may climb to the top of Crown Tower for sweeping views that extend as far as Hungary on clear days.