The best hikes from bus stations around Šúr

The Ranogien Castle was built after the Tatar invasion of 1241/42 by the local counts of Sveti Jur and Pezinok, the Hunt-Poznanovci. The castle, first documented in 1271, gradually took over the settlement and guard function of the Great Moravian castle (fortress) on the opposite side of the valley and became the center of a growing estate. It was part of the Little Carpathians system. After a reconstruction in the 14th century, the castle consisted of an inner and an outer part. The entrance led over a drawbridge across a dry moat that surrounded the castle along with a rampart. The inner castle comprised palace buildings with two residential buildings, one of which served as a prison. In addition to the living quarters for the count's household, the palace housed a tavern, chambers, cellars, kitchens, and a bakery. The outer castle had three towers, including a water tower. The fresh water supply was provided by a system of ceramic pipes and a cistern. The castle also had a bailey enclosed by defensive walls. The remains of the vaults date from the time of the Renaissance reconstruction. With the construction of the manor house by Katarína Pálffyová and her husband Štefan Illésházy, the successors of the counts of Svätý Jur and Pezinok, in 1609, the seat of the estate was permanently moved to the town. As a result, the castle lost its original function and gradually fell into disrepair. During the Turkish uprising, it offered refuge and temporary accommodation to the surrounding population. After the devastating attack by the Turks in 1663, it finally fell into ruin. In 2002, Biely Kamen Castle was declared a national cultural monument. The finds from the excavation site can be visited at the Museum of Literature and Local History in Svätý Jur – a branch of the Museum of the Little Carpathians in Pezinky. Did you know that Biely Kamen Castle was located on an important trade route from Bratislava to Trnava? It also controlled the mountain road to Stupava and Lozorno.

The ruin is currently being renovated with extensive voluntary work by a citizens' initiative. Since 2021, the citizens' association Castrum Sancti Georgii has been committed to the preservation of the castle ruins. Volunteers cleared the walls of ivy and overgrown trees, built access paths, benches for visitors, and stairs for greater safety. They cleaned the impressive vaulted room measuring 17 x 6.5 m. The association had the ruin geodetically surveyed and a 3D model of the castle created. Subsequently, a static assessment of the individual objects and an architectural-historical study of the monument were carried out. Based on the developed restoration concept, the association began the renovation of the most endangered parts of the castle. First, the half-destroyed, dominant western defensive tower was restored. You can follow the progress of the restoration on the website www.hradbielykamen.sk. You can support the work of the citizens' association Castrum Sancti Georgii in restoring the castle with a voluntary donation.

Kulturhaus Rača 1977 by Vladimír Dedeček Designed in 1973 – Cooperative house of the Rača agricultural cooperative, later House of Culture in Bratislava – Rača. Also known as the White House in Rača on Detvianská street – official name: House of Culture of the JRD ČSSP Račan. Interior designer: Jaroslav Nemec. Completion: 1977. It served for cultural and social events, as well as for receiving delegations from friendly countries. After the Revolution, it housed a restaurant with a terrace and later a bank branch. Today, the facade is decorated with an inscription, and the partial alteration of the facade is also a matter of taste. The narrow openings in the facade (reminiscent of medieval loopholes) attract the viewer's attention in any case.

The historic center of Bratislava with narrow streets, old buildings, cafes, and sights. A perfect place for walks, where history meets vibrant city life.

A truly beautiful old town with narrow alleyways.

The view of the Old City Gate opens up a picturesque setting: the massive stone walls, through which chariots and horsemen once passed, stand out against the sky and speak of times past. From here, the view sweeps over the cobbled avenue, lined with historic houses, to the modern skyline beyond the rooftops. An ideal photo stop to capture the fusion of medieval and contemporary Bratislava before continuing through the winding alleys of the Old Town.

Bratislava's Old Town enchants with its winding alleys, historic townhouses, and a lively mix of cafés, galleries, and boutiques. Strolling across the expansive Main Square (Hlavné námestie) will immerse you in the city's rich history, while baroque facades and magnificent fountains continually captivate your gaze. Between St. Michael's Gate, the Primate's Palace, and the charming cobblestone streets, small works of art and fascinating anecdotes can be discovered around every corner. Numerous sidewalk cafés invite you to take a break before continuing on to the Danube promenade or up to the majestic Castle Hill. A walking tour of the Old Town is not only a cultural highlight, but also the perfect start or end to any tour of Bratislava.

Michael's Gate (Michalská brána) is one of Bratislava's last remaining city gates and impresses with its 18th-century Baroque helmet. The 51-meter-high tower offers magnificent views of the Old Town and the Danube via a spiral staircase. Its interior museum displays historical armor and weapons, providing fascinating insights into the city's defensive history. The area around the gate is bustling with life, with cafés, souvenir shops, and the lively hustle and bustle of the main square—a perfect spot for a short rest and unforgettable photos.