A little history of Slovakia

Bratislava Castle, perched 85 metres above the Danube River, has been a dominant feature of the Slovak capital for centuries. Its strategic location has made it a focal point for various civilisations, from the Celts and Romans to the Slavs during the Great Moravian Empire. In the 10th century, a stone castle was established, serving as a significant centre for the Kingdom of Hungary.

The castle underwent several architectural transformations, notably during the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg in the 15th century, when it was rebuilt in the Gothic style as an anti-Hussite fortress. In the 16th century, King Ferdinand I commissioned a Renaissance reconstruction, and in the 17th century, it was further transformed into a Baroque castle under the influence of the Pálffy family. Empress Maria Theresa's reign in the 18th century saw the castle remodelled into a prestigious royal residence.

A devastating fire in 1811 left the castle in ruins, and it remained so until extensive restoration efforts began in 1953. The reconstruction aimed to restore the castle to its former Baroque glory, and it was completed in 2010. Today, Bratislava Castle houses the Slovak National Museum's Historical Museum and serves as a representative seat for the Slovak Parliament.